| Q. |
What qualifications does Cookies by Design® look
for in screening applicants? |
| A. |
Cookies by Design® reviews the applications to
determine the existence of specific factors that we have found to be essential
to a franchises' success -- including net worth, business experience, financial
liquidity, education and the individual's personal experience.
|
| Q. |
Can I operate this business as a home-based
business or in conjunction with another business? |
| A. |
Because the location and the complete attention of
the franchisee are two of the most important factors to continued success, a
Cookies by Design® shoppe must be located in a retail business area and must be
independent from any other businesses. Some of the most important location
factors include: high visibility, heavy traffic, and proximity to upper income
residential area, major transportation arteries and major medical and business
facilities.
|
| Q. |
How profitable can I expect a Cookies by Design®
shoppe to be? |
| A. |
Due to various federal and state laws and regulations
relating to the marketing of franchises, Cookies by Design® does not represent
any specific profit potential to prospective franchisees. However, we do
encourage you to call existing franchisees whose shoppes are listed in the
shoppe locations section for this type of information. Although they are not
obligated to provide you with sales or profit figures, normally our franchisees
are excited about their business and will willingly discuss their operations
with potential franchisees and be willing to answer some of your questions.
|
| Q. |
Does Cookies by Design® provide financing? |
| A. |
Cookies by Design® does not directly or indirectly
finance franchises. Cookies by Design® can provide information on
available resources of financing.
|
| Q. |
Can I open a shoppe in an area where a shoppe
already exists? |
| A. |
Each franchised shoppe has a "Primary Marketing
Area". Some franchisees have entered into Area Development Agreements in which
they have secured rights to develop multiple shoppes within a larger market
area. Many markets not covered by an Area Development Agreement can support
more than one shoppe.
|
| Q. |
Why should I choose to operate my cookie shoppe
as a Cookies by Design® franchise rather than operate on my own or with another
franchise company? |
| A. |
As a Cookies by Design® franchisee you have access to
important resources including the following: |
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A nationally recognized brand name. Cookies by Design® has also entered into a
licensing agreements with Disney Enterprises, Inc. and Paws Inc., which will
allow you as a franchisee to produce certain copyrighted Disney designs and
Garfield designs.
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National market penetration that provides you with the opportunity to receive
orders from areas beyond your local marketplace.
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An established operating system that has been in place for over twenty years,
continously being refined and improved. Cookies by Design® is regularly included
as one of the top franchise companies in annual rankings by Entrepreneur
magazine, Franchise Times magazine, Income Opportunities magazine, and Bonds
Franchise Guide.
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Support services. (See "Resources Available to Franchisees" for a detailed
listing.) Cookies by Design®'s dedication to excellence was spotlighted by Mass
Mutual, the US Chamber of Commerce, and Nations Business magazine when they
awarded Cookies by Design® a 1998 Blue Chip Enterprise Company of the Year
award.
|
| Q. |
What is my next step in becoming a franchise? |
| A. |
You need to complete the application and personal
financial statement found in the Application section and mail this information
to Cookies by Design®. An overview of the major steps involved in becoming a
franchisee are explained in "The A, B, C's of Opening a Franchise".
|
| Q. |
How large an investment is required for
establishing a Cookies by Design® shoppe? |
| A. |
You can expect to invest $90,000 to $180,000,
depending upon your geographic region's cost of living and cost of doing
business. There is also a monthly continuing licensing fee of 6% of gross
sales. A detailed breakdown of the Estimated Investment is found in the
Investment section.
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