ICEware Offers Collectors Franchising Option

ICEware Corp., a spin-off from Hauppauge, N.Y.-based Glacial Star Group, is offering franchise opportunities for what the firm calls “collection entrepreneurs,” – those people entering the collections business in order to collect from borrowers who had taken advantage of some of the low-rate financing plans that had been popular the last couple of years.

However, these collection entrepreneurs have the same need for cash flow as many of the people and businesses that they’re now trying to collect from, said Marc Campisi, chief operating officer of Glacial Star.

Start-up costs for new collection firms can reach six figures, as they invest in predictive dialers, computers, software, other hardware, marketing and overhead.

So ICEware is offering to provide all of the technology for a one-time franchise fee ranging from $25,000 to $50,000 and a monthly fee of $5,000 to $20,000, depending on the size of the franchisee. In exchange, the franchiser provides ICEware (Integrated Collection Engine) on a dedicated server and hosted phone services that includes a dialer and PBX as well as support services. The franchisee must provide their own computer and T-1 line.

ICEware also provides nationwide licensing that would be cumbersome to impossible to obtain for many small companies, according to Campisi. “We will also help with finding customers.”

The company expects to have 10 to 20 franchisees by the end of next year, which will be more than enough to make the opportunity successful from the firm’s point of view, according to Campisi.

ICEware also offers services to set up technology in collection firms’ offices or to host technology for collection companies that don’t want to pursue the franchise route.

Campisi added that ICEware will be rolling out other products and services in the next several months.