Clothes Bin

Clothes Bin has developed a proven process for the collection, management and distribution of clothes, shoes and textiles throughout the United States. Strategically located in the parking lots of convenience stores, gas stations, shopping centers or wherever people congregate, these bright green bins are destined to become the go-to for anyone looking for a convenient way to recycle their clothes, shoes and textiles.

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Clothes Bin Franchise Cost and Requirements for 2024

Background

Clothes Bin has developed a proven process for the collection, management and distribution of clothes, shoes and textiles throughout the United States. Strategically located in the parking lots of convenience stores, gas stations, shopping centers or wherever people congregate, these bright green bins are destined to become the go-to for anyone looking for a convenient way to recycle their clothes, shoes and textiles.

Company Details

Established: 1986
First Unit Franchised: 2016
Franchised Units: 40, with 14 under development
Company Owned Units: 5

States Registered In:

California, Indiana, Illinois, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, New York, Virginia, Wisconsin (pending in Washington and North Dakota)

*Currently not offering franchises in: Alaska, Hawaii, Washington,
Canada Franchises: No
International Franchises: No

Support and Training Offered By Clothes Bin

Franchisor Support: Initial training, on-going support, National Buyer Program, help lines, field support, annual meetings, Franchisee Advisory Council and Franchisee Business Reviews 

  • On-Site Training & Training at HQ

  • Bin Placement Services Field Support

  • E-Training


Financial strength of franchisor

  • Franchisor is well capitalized through a private equity partner.

  • Industry specific experience starting in 1986

  • Key management includes team leadership with multiple franchisor brand experience.


Recession Resistance

  • As the economy suffers, more people shop at second hand stores, which increases the demand for the contributed clothes, shoes and textiles. When the economy is improving the contributions increase as people buy more new clothes, shoes and textiles.  People gave away more clothing during Covid with more time at home.

  • People are always looking for quality goods at a discounted price.

COVID Updates:

  • During Covid most franchisees saw an increase of over 20% in the collection of clothing in their Bins, and some franchisees nearly doubled their collections.

  • Clothes Bin's corporate team did an in-depth analysis of every franchisee's individual territory/municipality/city/county/state guidelines and provided to each franchisee their proof of Clothes Bin's recycling efforts being deemed an essential business

    • One employee in a truck, servicing a Bin, with no interaction with the general public

    • Textiles were deemed safe from an exposure standpoint of Covid

    • Semi-absentee nature - Franchisees continued to manage the business with access to BLIP

    • No government authority across 15 states forced a Clothes Bin Franchisee to close down

  • A franchisee during a review call in June 2020 reported to corporate that their expenses are down 50% from no royalties and BLIP, their SBA loan paid through December by the government and their renegotiated/deferred/abated rents for locations, so even if prices dropped by 40% they are more profitable.


Issues and Ambushes

  • Since we are the first company to introduce textile recycling to the franchise industry, we have to educate people about the opportunity to recycle the 17 billion pounds of clothes, shoes and textiles that end up in local landfills each year.

  • Charities: Are we taking away from charities? "No, in our experience people will seek out their favorite charity because they believe in their cause, and can continue to call them for home pickups, or will drop off to their locations. Charities offer tax receipts, but Clothes Bin franchise does not. All of the charities, for-profits and non-profits combined only recycle 15% of textiles, while 85% still end up in landfills."

  • Clothes Bin Clearly states on each Bin "Clothes Bin is Not a Charity, Textile Contributions Made Here are Not Tax Deductible."

  • We offer a convenient way for people to recycle their textiles in high-traffic, visible and easy to access locations.

  • We are a recycling company helping the environment and reducing the unnecessary dumping of textiles into local landfills

  • We take all clothing and textiles. We do not discriminate based on quality, brands or condition.

  • We do not sort or touch the clothing. Everything is sold as-is to the buyers.

  • We have clear contact information with very well constructed and aesthetically pleasing Green Bins which are regularly serviced and have permission to be in their assigned location


Hooks and Hangers

  • Low cost, few employees, semi-absentee, work from home ownership.

  • Simple to operate

  • No Cost of Goods Sold or inventory costs; all items are contributed to the Bins for free.

  • Scalable: 20 Bins is the minimum package. Can add 10, 20 or more Bins to EXISTING territory and not need to pay an additional franchise fee. 

  • One operating franchisee in the middle of 5 other operating franchise territories has 70 Bins in one territory (DFW)

  • On-site training, members of Clothes Bin Team in your territory at least 3 times in the beginning of your franchise

  • Retain your job or career, or continue running business during job transition


Training and Corporate Support


  1. Initial Call/Webinar
  2. FDD Disclosure & Personal Profile Form (If not supplied by Broker/ Consultant)
  3. FDD Review (Item 23 receipt) (Contingent upon receiving back Personal Profile)
  4. COO & Chairman Executive separate calls
  5. Validation
  6. Virtual Discovery Day (or in-person if the client prefers)
  7. FDD Signing via DocuSign

2024 Franchise Requirements Needed to Own a Clothes Bin Franchise.

What does a Clothes Bin Franchise Cost?

Clothes Bin franchise fees for 2024:

Total Investment: $134,270 - $188,295 (Includes $12,000-$37,000 working capital)

Required Liquid Capital: $100,000

Minimum Net Worth: $400,000 

Franchise Fee:

  • 1st FF - $49,500
  • 2nd FF - $35,000 (discounted $14,500)
  • 3rd+ FF - $20,000 (discounted $29,500)

Royalty: $6.00/bin/week

Ad: N/A
Average Number of Employees: Owner Operator, or owner plus 1 or 2 part-time employees
Item 19: Yes
Visa Candidates: No
Passive Ownership: Semi absentee/part time
Home Based: Yes
B2B: Yes
Master Franchise Opportunities: No
Veteran Discount: Yes. $5,000 Available for Active Military, Veterans, First Responders.

Is Clothes Bin a Semi Absentee Franchise with a Passive Ownership Opportunity?

Yes. Clothes Bin is a semi absentee franchise and allows passive ownership. A semi-absentee franchise is a business you could start and run while still maintaining a job or other obligation.

Is Clothes Bin a Home Based franchise?

Yes. Clothes Bin is a home based franchise opportunity.

What Do Clothes Bin Franchise Owners Make?

Click here to find out how much Clothes Bin franchisees make. Clothes Bin offers an Item 19 in their Franchise Disclosure Document which provides financial information about select franchisees in their franchise system.

Is Clothes Bin a Master Franchise Opportunity?

No. Clothes Bin is not a master franchise opportunity.

Does Clothes Bin Offer a Veteran Discount?

Yes. Clothes Bin franchise does offer a veteran discount.

Does Clothes Bin Work with E2 Visa and EB-5 Visa Candidates?

No. Clothes Bin franchise does not work with E2 Visa and EB-5 Visa candidates.

Is Clothes Bin Looking for Franchisees in Canada?

No. Clothes Bin franchise is not looking for Canada franchisees.

Is Clothes Bin Looking for International franchisees?

No. Clothes Bin franchise is not looking for International franchisees.

Where can I see Clothes Bin's FDD (Franchise Disclosure Document)?

Buying a Franchise Guide: What is a Franchise Disclosure Document?

When evaluating a franchise opportunity, reading and understanding the current version of their FDD is a necessity. Considering the benefits of franchising, such as established brand recognition and support from the franchisor, it's important to also take into account franchise fees and franchising royalty fees. Since most franchisors are privately owned companies, the current versions of their FDDs are typically not available unless requested directly from them.

Click here to connect with a Franchise Consultant who can help you obtain a copy quickly and for free. They can also guide you through the essential franchise questions to ask, ensuring you make a well-informed decision about your investment.

Additional Information

Additional Categories

Green & Eco Friendly, Miscellaneous & Unique, Non Food Franchises

Number of Units Open

20-50 UNITS

Cash Required

$50,000 - $100,000

Master Franchise

No

Passive Franchise

Yes

Home Based Franchise

Yes

Item 19 Franchise

Yes

Veteran Discount

No

B2B

Yes

Franchise Opportunities in Canada

No

International Franchise Opportunities

No

E2 Visa Franchise

No

Clothes Bin Franchises for Sale

Click Here to inquire about existing Clothes Bin franchises for sale. We may have Clothes Bin franchise resales. A franchise resale is an already established franchise owned by a franchisee and the franchisee is looking to sell their franchise.

The International Franchise Professionals Group (IFPG) is an internationally recognized membership-based franchise organization. IFPG Franchise Consultants guide aspiring business owners through the process of identifying and investing in franchise businesses. The IFPG represents more than 550 franchises. We do not represent all franchises listed here. By clicking on "Request a Consultation," you are agreeing to be contacted by one of our Certified Franchise Consultants to discuss franchise ownership.

About our rankings: The IFPG uses its internal data collected from our membership portal to identify which franchises had the most activity in the past week. This ranking system is not based on franchise sales, franchisee success rates or number of units open. Our ranking system should not be used to make a decision on which franchise to buy it was solely created for internal purposes and for our IFPG Members.