Just Between Friends: Revolutionizing Children's Consignment Events

Just Between Friends (JBF) is a leading children’s and maternity consignment sales event franchise, offering families an affordable and eco-friendly solution for buying and selling gently used items. 

The franchise was founded in 1997 in Tulsa, Oklahoma, by Shannon Wilburn and a fellow mom who recognized the need for a community-driven event where parents could buy and sell quality children's items at a fraction of the retail price. 

JBF quickly gained popularity for its organized, family-friendly events that feature a wide selection of clothing, toys, furniture, and baby gear. Headquartered in Tulsa, Oklahoma, Just Between Friends began franchising in 2003.

The franchise differentiates itself from the competition by offering large-scale, well-organized events that emphasize community involvement and sustainability. JBF's events are a win-win for families: sellers can earn extra income by clearing out their closets, and buyers can access high-quality items at significantly reduced prices.

Training 

The Just Between Friends (JBF) franchise offers a comprehensive training program designed to equip franchisees with the necessary skills and knowledge to run successful consignment sales events. 

1. On-the-Job Training: Franchisees receive 21 hours of practical, hands-on training where they gain experience in setting up and managing consignment sales events. This training is designed to familiarize them with the day-to-day operations of a JBF event​.
2. Classroom Training: In addition to on-the-job training, franchisees undergo 59.5 hours of classroom instruction. This part of the training covers a wide range of topics, including event management, customer service, marketing strategies, and the operational aspects of running a successful JBF franchise​.
3. Additional Preparatory Training: Franchisees receive preparatory training before the main training sessions. This phase helps them get ready for the hands-on and classroom training, ensuring they have the foundational knowledge required to maximize their learning experience​.
4. Ongoing Support: After the initial training, JBF provides continuous support to franchisees. This includes access to proprietary software, an intranet platform, regular newsletters, online support, and opportunities to attend meetings and conventions. This ongoing support is crucial for keeping franchisees updated on best practices and helping them address any challenges they may encounter.

Territory Protection

Just Between Friends (JBF) franchise offers territory protection to its franchisees, ensuring that each franchisee has exclusive rights to operate within a designated geographic area. This protection is designed to prevent market saturation and competition between JBF franchisees, allowing them to build and maintain a strong customer base within their territory. 

The specific details of the territorial rights are outlined in the Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD), which franchisees are encouraged to review carefully to understand the extent of their territorial exclusivity.

This territorial protection is a significant benefit for JBF franchisees, as it provides the security of knowing that their efforts to grow the business will not be directly undermined by another franchisee in their area.