1. WHAT QUALIFICATIONS DO I NEED TO BECOME A FRANCHISEE?

No special education or prior experience in our type of business is required for a person to be considered as a possible LIL' MISS MUFFINS franchisee. Upon receipt of your application, it will be evaluated to determine if you appear to be right for a franchise. This is for our benefit as much as it is yours, for we can set you up in business, teach you our methods of operation and provide you with continuous advice, but we cannot do your work and we cannot operate your business….that responsibility is solely yours.

2. DO YOU HAVE ANY AGE LIMITATIONS FOR FRANCHISE OWNERS?

No. Our only requirement is that the person purchasing a LIL' MISS MUFFINS franchise be ambitious, conscientious and able to provide the kind of entrepreneurship and financing that will build a solid reputation for service, and above all, quality. If you are physically able to provide the time and necessary energy that is needed to ensure the success of your LIL' MISS MUFFINS outlet, we would like to meet and discuss our franchise program in full with you.

3. HOW DO I LEARN TO OPERATE A LIL' MISS MUFFINS FRANCHISE?

A pre-requisite for any retail venture is the ability to manage people, time, money and yourself: previous experience in the retail bakery business is not all that important. All franchisee's are required to attend the designated LIL' MISS MUFFINS training course which will take place in an actual operating LIL' MISS MUFFINS outlet. Your training course will involve you directly in all aspects of store management and its real day to day encounters, both good and bad. Your unit training will see you actively participate in all those functions required to ensure the continued success of your LIL' MISS MUFFINS franchise. Our training program will give you insight and experience into the store management area that would not be found in the artificial world of a classroom. An important ingredient in the overall approach of our training course will be provided by the Operation Manual which has been prepared by LIL' MISS MUFFINS. This manual will be a continual source of practical guidelines on such elements as procedures, codes, personnel management and other contingencies and will be available to you long after the completion of your formal training course.

4. WHAT DOES THE FRANCHISE FEE COVER?

The franchise fee gives the franchisee the right to own and operate a LIL' MISS MUFFINS outlet from a specified location using our business systems and the trademark associated therewith. The fee also covers the "setup" costs incurred by the franchisor, namely site location, overseeing construction and design elements, training the franchisee both at corporate and his/her outlets, assisting with and arranging for the initial inventory purchases and generally providing whatever assistance is required to open the franchisee's LIL' MISS MUFFINS outlet.

5. WHAT SERVICE DOES THE ONGOING ROYALTY COVER?

The 3% gross sales royalty entitles one to continue to be part of the LIL' MISS MUFFINS system as well as benefiting from the following services through head office.
· Vendor Selection
· Merchandising Program
· Volume Buying Arrangements
· Research of New and Varied Products
· Training and Management Assistance
· Continuing Supervision
· Continuing Business Advice, when required
· Advertising and Promotional Assistance
· Marketing Assistance, if required

6. CAN I SELL MY FRANCHISE?

Yes, a franchisee has the right to sell the franchise for whatever profit or he/she may be able to obtain, subject to certain provisions set forth in the franchise agreement including our right to match any offer to purchase, which may be made, and to approve the prospective purchaser. If we choose not to exercise this right, we will then advise as to whether the new proposed owner is acceptable as the new franchisee. This approval allows us to determine among other things, whether or not the proposed new owner appears to be capable of operating the business. In any proposed sale by the franchisee, we will do our best to co-operate and of course, any approval will not be unreasonably withheld.

7. WHERE DO I SECURE EQUIPMENT FOR MY FRANCHISED OUTLET?

A successful operation involves the ability to serve the customer consistently high quality products and merchandise. Our equipment package has been carefully researched to provide longevity of service and economy of operation. As part of our turnkey franchise package, all necessary equipment and small wares will be supplied by the franchisor on your behalf through reliable sources.

8. WHERE DO I PURCHASE MY SUPPLIES?

Most required products will be delivered to you by local authorized suppliers in your area. Currently working with many of the largest sources in the country allows us the opportunity to ensure that all the stores receive a continuing supply of the highest quality of products. Our operation personnel will also assist you in making arrangements with the companies that will supply secondary products as required.

9. WHO HANDLES THE INSURANCE REQUIREMENTS FOR MY BUSINESS?

It is the requirement of each franchisee owner to adequately insure his/her business through the insurance policies positioned by the franchisor.

10. CAN THE FRANCHISE ARRANGEMENT BE TERMINATED?

Once you are the owner of a franchise, the franchise is your business. As long as you live up to the terms and conditions of our Agreement, your franchise will continue for its full term. Thereafter subject to the provisions of the franchise agreement, you have the right to renew the franchise for a stipulated period. The provisions of the agreement are for your benefit as well as ours, as it sets out in comprehensive detail what each of our obligations are. You are advised to retain professional consultants (e.g. lawyers, accountants, etc.) to advise you so that you will understand all of the terms and conditions of the agreement and your related obligations thereunder.

11. WHAT HAPPENS IF I DIE?

In the event of the death of the franchisee, the franchise agreement provides that the franchisee's immediate family members have the right to carry on the business if they do so desire. There are no conditions to meet and all the family members must do is to complete the training program and to agree to meet the obligations formerly carried out by the deceased franchisee.

*NOTE: If you have any other questions relating to any aspect of our franchise program, please submit them with your financial qualification report or contact our head office.

Phone: (905) 584-1861  Fax: (905) 584-1862  Toll Free: 1-877-7WE-BAKE
bruno@lilmissmuffins.com  *** webmaster@lilmissmuffins.com
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