Daily News
From Home Furnishing Business
Decorating Den Credits Franchisees for Growth
February 17,
2016 by in Designer Weekly 
Decorating Den Interiors’ franchise owners who have moved from home-based studio/offices to outside locations and built a team of decorators have played a significant role in the company’s growth.
“Several of our top franchises have as many as five design professionals, along with the owner, working from the same studio,” said Jim Bugg Jr., CEO and president. “And, they are supported by administrators and other staff. Not only are these among our leading operators, several of the designers working within those units are among our largest individual sales people in the U.S. and Canada. Our interior design business model clearly enables growth to a size that can provide significant financial returns for several individuals.”
Bugg said that last year more than half of the company’s top 40 franchises had outgrown being home-based and currently operate from outside studios, the largest being a 12,000-square-feet space, including receiving and warehouse space.
“These are not showrooms,” said David Haseley, vice president of merchandising and marketing. “Our design business model is still to sell a wide range of home furnishings without inventorying product. Meeting in clients’ homes is still the cornerstone of our complimentary design service. However, with furniture now our leading product category, many owners want space to receive some pieces on their own.”
Bugg said that most of the franchisees began their businesses in their homes.
“We are seeing some of them move out of their home to a studio more quickly,” he said. “They see the business value of doing that.”