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Blog/Business/Metal Supermarkets
  • Lucrative - Average Annual Revenues Exceeding $2.1M in 2023
  • Lifestyle - Normal Standard Business Hours Monday - Friday
  • Stable - Recession-Safe Industry with Consistent Year Over Year Growth
  • High Repeat Business from Customers Showing Loyalty for Great Service
  • 140+ Hours of Training - No Metal Experience Is Necessary

Business Model

Metal Supermarkets stands as the world’s largest supplier of small-quantity metals, providing customers with a reliable resource for a wide range of metal grades, sizes, and shapes. Each store operates as a compact metal warehouse and distribution center, fully stocked with aluminum, hot and cold-rolled steel, stainless steel, brass, and copper in versatile forms like bars, tubes, channels, sheets, and more.

This franchise isn't aimed at large-scale manufacturers—that’s the role of major metal service centers. Instead, Metal Supermarkets serves maintenance and repair departments, distribution companies, food processors, machine shops, tool and die makers, government agencies, and a diverse array of clients, including homeowners and hobbyists. Customers benefit from unique offerings such as no order minimums, custom-cut metal, rapid delivery, hard-to-find sourcing, and outstanding service.

​Metal Supermarkets is a true relationship-driven business with minimal dependency on specific customers or industries, allowing franchisees to thrive in a variety of markets.

Key Figures & Facts

Total Investment

$340,000 - $592,000

Royalty Fee

6%

Advertising Fee

2%

Significant Capital Expenditure Items

Equipment, Furnishings, Fixtures, Computer Systems, Franchise Fee, Opening Inventory, Leasehold Improvements, Initial Advertising, Real Estate Lease, & Working Capital.

Initial Franchise Fee

One Unit

$44,500

Two Units

$78,500

Three Units

$109,500

Minimum Liquid Capital Required

$150,000

Minimum Net Worth Required

$500,000

Significant Capital Expenditure Items

Equipment, Furnishings, Fixtures, Computer Systems, Franchise Fee, Opening Inventory, Leasehold Improvements, Initial Advertising, Real Estate Lease, & Working Capital.

FDD Item 19 Summary*

Discloses first and second year gross sales over a ten year period for dozens of the systems franchise units. Average gross sales per store of $2,160,901 in 2023 and average store gross margin of 48.5%.

History

Metal Supermarkets started nearly 40 years ago, offering small-quantity metals to a wide range of customers. Franchising began over 35 years ago, evolving into a global brand recognized for exceptional service, custom solutions, and no minimum orders.

Year Founded

1985

# of Franchise Units

127

Year Franchising Began

1987

# Total Units

138

Headquarters

Toronto, Ontario, Canada

# Franchisees

-

Immigration Friendly

Yes

Veteran Incentives

Yes

Operational Attributes

Industry Category

Business Services

Home Based

No

B2B / B2C

Both

Owner Involvement

Owner must give full attention to the business in ramping up the business for the first 12 to 24 months.

Day In The Life

A Metal Supermarkets franchisee spends their day building customer relationships, overseeing employees, and managing sales and marketing efforts. They ensure smooth operations, handle orders, and support diverse clients, including businesses and hobbyists, while focusing on exceptional service and expanding their B2B customer base.

Services/Income Streams

The business generates income by selling various metals like aluminum, steel, and copper, cut to custom sizes, and offering metal processing services such as drilling and bending. They also provide fast delivery, sourcing hard-to-find items, and exceptional customer service.

Customer Base

Tool and die, machine shops, manufacturers, fabricators, facility and maintenance, municipalities, universities and school systems, hospitals, hotels, hobbyists, and artists. Occasionally homeowners.

Business Hours

Standard business hours Monday through Friday

Competition

The competition for Metal Supermarkets includes small independent metal suppliers, regional chains with a few locations, and larger distributors that occasionally sell small quantities as a side offering. Your ability to be more professional and provide superior customer service and value will easily beat out competitors.

Scalability

Very scalable through multiple unit development agreements.

Recession Strength

Highly recession safe due to the nature of business of the customers.

Territory Description

Protected geographical area to include a minimum 750 manufacturing facilities, tool and die shops and other potential customers.

Franchise Agreement Term

10 Years with a 10-year renewal term.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long will it take to find and launch a franchise?

From the start when you are compiling your shortlist of franchises on through analyzing and signing your franchise agreement can take as little as 30 days (but that's fast) and as much as 90+ days. Much of this timeline depends on how meticulous you are with your due diligence and analysis. Some financing strategies take longer than others which may impact your timeline too. Then the time frame to launch your franchise depends a lot on its business model. For example, many home based franchises can take as little as 30 days to get open for business, while those that require a brick-and-mortar building can add as much as six months to the timeline to allow for lease negotiation and construction of the business' interior design. We hate to say "it depends", but... it depends.

How much does BizVendr charge me?

Absolutely nothing! Zilch. Nada. Since we're paid by any one of the more than 700+ franchises you may consider, we really have no agenda as to which franchise you choose. Our BizVendr advisors are motivated by making a good match with you and the franchise, that's our sincere motivation. We know when that happens it benefits you, the franchisor, and we then get paid for a successful match. Hopefully, you'll then tell your friends to call us too!

What is better to buy an existing open business for franchise?

Because our founder has many years of experience as a "business broker" he can tell you many stories and reasons why most entrepreneurs should consider franchises rather than existing businesses, especially if it is a first-time buyer with less than one million dollars to invest, here's why that will make sense to you. More often than not most of the businesses with values under $1 million are operated with inadequate to poor financial records. At lower level values of small businesses owners usually "play" with their accounting more readily than larger businesses can afford to do. That often makes it very difficult for business buyers to analyze the financials and come to an accurate valuation of these small businesses under $1 million. This tends to lengthen a buyer's search time to be months or even years sometimes. And, by having a franchisor in your corner who is incentivized to support the growth of your franchise you're not left with no one to call for help like you would be after the seller of an existing business has received his proceeds high-tailed it to the golf course or Cancun. Under $1 million stick with franchises in almost all cases.

How much money will I make with a franchise?

Well, here's the catch 22. You cannot and should not make a decision about the viability of any business opportunity without projecting how much money you believe you can make. The problem is franchise law enacted by the U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) does not permit franchisors to estimate how much money you will make. In an effort to protect you and your investment, the law does not make it easy on you to get the question answered by the franchisor. So, how do you answer it? You have to quiz the franchisor on what you see in their Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD) for any financial performance representations in the Item 19 section. And, you need to inquire with current franchise owners in the franchise about their performance to help you make your own pro-forma profit and loss statement of projections. In the book by the founder of BizVendr "The Ultimate Franchise Buyer's Guide" he'll give you detailed instructions on how to do this. Ask for a copy today.

Does BizVendr work with everyone?

We would love to work at no cost for everyone, of course, but obviously that is just not possible. Assuming you have at least $100,000 in liquid investable cash and a humble, coachable spirit you will be exactly what many of the franchisors in our portfolio of brands are looking for. We're ready to go to work for you. Click the Start Your Search For Free Today button below and take the Franchise Fingerprint™ assessment to begin.

How can I protect myself when buying a franchise?

At more than 4,000 franchises nationally in the U.S. there is no shortage of business models to choose from. At BizVendr we align ourselves with the two most reputable franchise associations in the industry, the International Franchise Professionals Group and the Franchise Brokers Association. These two affiliations help us regularly connect with the most respected and proven franchises in the industry and combined give us more than 700+ franchises that we scrutinize and curate to present you with the safest, most profitable brands in the business. Every year we make a high six figure investment to be sure we're able to connect you with amazing opportunities.

Is BizVendr a broker?

The proper term for the relationship we have with you and the franchisor is that of a "recruiter". Look at it this way, we're not a "broker" because there is no professional license that governs what we do (i.e. stock or real estate brokers) and we don't "sell" anything. We're not motivated to steer you in one direction or another, we're incentivized to help you find the "right" franchise for you and the franchisor. We're also not a "Consultant" because we're not paid by you as in typical consultant/client relationships. Really what we do is ethically match you with what you feel is the best franchise for you and the franchisor. That is the best way to describe our motivation and role in supporting you in your transaction.

Disclaimer

Business Sellers, Inc dba BizVendr does not guarantee the financial performance of any franchise, licensed affiliate or business opportunity. The information provided herein was furnished to BizVendr by the Franchisor. BizVendr has not verified this information and makes no representation or warranty as to its accuracy, completeness or authenticity nor to any claims of potential earnings of this or any franchise, licensed affiliate, or business opportunity. The decision to invest must be based upon the buyers independent research and analysis. Business Sellers, Inc is not liable for any representation made by an employee, affiliate, or associate of Business Sellers, Inc with respect to real estate, financial, operations, or marketing performance of the business being acquired. The franchise buyer is advised to request and receive franchisor’s Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD) and to seek professional guidance from attorney or accountant prior to executing any legal documents with franchisor(s). This website and page does not constitute an offering of a franchise per the registration requirements by the Franchisor in some states. The following are registration states (CA, HI, IL, IN, MD, MI, MN, NY, ND, RI, SD, VA, WA, WI).

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Disclaimer:

This website is not part of the facebook website or facebook inc. This website is not endorsed by facebook in any way. Facebook is a registered trademark of facebook, inc. Further, this is not a franchise offering. A franchise offering can only be made by the franchisor in a state where they are registered, excluded, exempted or otherwise qualified to offer franchises in that state, and only if they provide you with an appropriate franchise disclosure document. Follow-up or individualized responses to you that involve either effecting or attempting to effect the sale of a franchise will be made only if the franchisor is in compliance with state registration requirements or are covered by an applicable state exclusion or exemption.