Weathersby Guild®
What Is Weathersby Guild?
Weathersby Guild is a furniture repair and restoration franchise in the Home & Commercial Services category. It provides repair, restoration, and refinishing services for furniture, antiques, doors, millwork, paneling, molding, banisters, cabinetry, and mantles, and offers claims handling and related services. The business serves both individual consumers and commercial clients, including the household goods moving industry, and franchisees must use the e-Status software supplied by an affiliate to operate the licensed business.
Weathersby Guild Franchise: Pros and Cons
The franchise's Territory Protection Score of 70 (top 10% in Home & Commercial Services) gives unusually strong protection from nearby openings, but having no company-owned units (0, bottom 5%) means there are no in-house test sites to trial and refine operations before asking franchisees to adopt changes.
Pros
Cons
Lawsuits & Legal Risk
Weathersby Guild reported no material legal proceedings,
Territory Protection
Weathersby Guild grants an exclusive, protected, site-specific Territory identified in the Franchise Agreement and bars franchisees from soliciting or accepting business outside it. The franchisor retains rights to sell via e-commerce/alternative distribution channels within the Territory and to develop additional units in the surrounding market.
Training & Support
Weathersby Guild provides a robust 104-hour training curriculum designed to prepare one designated staff member for launch. The program includes on-site launch support for operational readiness; on-site assistance is available for an additional fee, and franchisees are responsible for travel and living expenses.
Franchisee Stability
Weathersby Guild earns a Good Stability Score. Three-year turnover of 3.73% sits below the typical Retail franchise (around 5%) and places the system toward the lower end of Retail turnover, indicating franchisees leave less often here than in many peer systems. Out of 6 total exits across the three-year span, ceased operations dominated with 4, alongside 2 terminations, no non-renewals, and no franchisor buybacks; this occurred while the system reported about 54 franchised outlets in the most recent year.
The dominance of ceased operations suggests location-level economics - operators chose to close underperforming locations rather than exits driven by franchisor-franchisee friction, so investigate whether particular markets, sites, or lease arrangements explain the closures. Also review franchisor support for site selection and any documented recovery plans for struggling units. For prospective franchisees, examine unit-level economics in the geographies where closures have concentrated.
Unit Growth Analysis
Weathersby Guild is down eight units since 2022 (58→50), a roughly 14% shrinkage with a volatile recent year showing −7.4% growth. This pattern reads as a silent exodus-franchisees are exiting faster than new owners arrive-so a prospective buyer should treat the chain as risky: demand unit-level P&Ls, get full closure and transfer histories, and require clear, written commitments on support and territory protections before signing, because resale and cash‑flow upside look limited without proven turnaround actions.
How Much Does It Cost to Open a Weathersby Guild Franchise?
Opening a Weathersby Guild franchise requires a total initial investment of $71,590 to $98,130, according to the 2026 Franchise Disclosure Document. This range covers the franchise fee, real estate, equipment, training, and initial working capital needed to launch and operate through the early months.
Minimum Investment
Maximum Investment
Minimum Investment Breakdown
Maximum Investment Breakdown
Investment Analysis
This investment analysis is coming soon. Have ideas for other analyses you'd like us to add? Get in touch.
The initial investment amounts shown are estimates only. Actual costs may vary based on location size, business model, and multi-unit ownership arrangements. We recommend reviewing the full Franchise Disclosure Document for complete details.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Weathersby Guild a good franchise to own?
Whether Weathersby Guild is a good franchise depends on your goals, experience, and local market. Key factors from the 2026 FDD: Weathersby Guild operates 50 locations, received a legal risk score of 71/100, a training and support score of 57/100. The franchisor does not disclose financial performance data. Prospective franchisees should review the full Franchise Disclosure Document and consult with a franchise attorney before making any investment decision.
Is a Weathersby Guild franchise worth the investment?
The value of a Weathersby Guild franchise investment depends on factors such as location, operator experience, and market demand. The initial investment ranges from $71,590 to $98,130. The system reported 2 terminated units in 2026. Franchise investments carry inherent risk, and prospective buyers should conduct thorough due diligence before committing capital.
What is the failure rate of Weathersby Guild franchises?
In the 2026 FDD, Weathersby Guild reported 2 terminated franchises and 0 non-renewals out of 50 total locations. Franchise closures can result from many factors including market conditions, operator decisions, lease expirations, and franchisor enforcement actions. The FDD's Item 20 provides the most detailed unit turnover data.
How long does it take to break even with a Weathersby Guild franchise?
Break-even timelines for Weathersby Guild franchises are not disclosed in the 2026 Franchise Disclosure Document. Break-even periods vary significantly based on initial investment level, local market conditions, operating costs, and revenue ramp-up speed. Prospective franchisees should build a pro forma financial model using Item 7 cost estimates and, where available, Item 19 financial performance data from the FDD.
Is Weathersby Guild a franchise or a corporate-owned business?
As of the 2026 FDD, Weathersby Guild operates 50 franchised locations and 0 company-owned locations. Franchise opportunities are available through the franchisor's disclosure process.
Does Weathersby Guild disclose franchise revenue data?
Weathersby Guild did not disclose financial performance data (Item 19) in their 2026 FDD. Not all franchisors choose to publish this information.
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