ProSource Wholesale: Revolutionizing Home Improvement for Trade Professionals

Founded in 1990 and headquartered in St. Louis, Missouri, ProSource Wholesale has established itself as a premier wholesale supplier dedicated exclusively to trade professionals. The company began franchising in 1991 and has since expanded to nearly 150 showrooms across North America, offering a proven business model in the competitive home improvement industry.

ProSource offers an extensive range of high-quality products for home improvement projects, including flooring, kitchen and bath products, and other finishing materials. By providing a one-stop-shop experience, ProSource enables trade professionals to complete projects efficiently and within budget, making it a trusted partner for builders, contractors, remodelers, and designers.

What sets ProSource apart from its competitors is its exclusive membership model tailored for trade professionals. This approach fosters strong relationships and ensures personalized service and access to exclusive wholesale pricing. Additionally, ProSource showrooms are strategically located in industrial parks and offer 24-hour access to members through the ProKey® pass, enhancing both convenience and flexibility.

Training

ProSource provides a structured and multi-tiered training program for franchisees to ensure operational excellence and adherence to brand standards. The training programs offered by the franchisor include:

1. Initial Training: This mandatory program is provided at no cost by ProSource and covers essential operational knowledge for the Principal(s), Manager, Kitchen and Bath Designer, and Account Managers. It includes two workshops: a 4-day "Accelerate" workshop and a 4-day follow-up workshop, all of which must be completed at least 60 days prior to opening the showroom.
2. Immersion Training: Prior to the "Accelerate" program, Principals and Managers who are not already experienced with ProSource are required to attend up to four weeks of Immersion Training. This foundational training is intended to prepare them thoroughly for operating a ProSource showroom.
3. DRIVE Workshop: Held six months after opening, this workshop serves as a follow-up to reinforce training concepts and address operational challenges.
4. Certification and Recertification: All trainees, including the Manager and Kitchen and Bath Designer, must pass tests and receive certifications. Recertification may be required periodically to ensure ongoing compliance with updated systems and technologies.
5. Refresher and Update Courses: Optional and mandatory courses may be provided periodically. These are intended to keep the franchisee’s staff current with system updates and are delivered in formats such as in-person or online training.

Territory Protection

ProSource gives each franchisee a protected area, marked by zip codes, where no other ProSource showroom can open. This area protection lasts as long as the franchisee meets performance standards and follows the rules in the agreement.

If the franchisee’s sales fall below a set level (called the Base Market Share), ProSource can open another showroom in that same area. Once the area protection is lost, it can’t be regained.