Frequently Asked Questions
The following are some frequently asked questions:
1. What
is the trademark?
2. What
is the term of the Franchise Agreement?
3. What
kind of protected territory do I get?
4. What
does protected territory exactly mean?
5. What
are the royalties payable and how are they
calculated?
6. What
kind of advertising fee is charged?
7. What
kind of equipment is supplied?
8. How
do you select my site?
9. Do I
need many employees?
10. What kind of support
and assistance will I receive?
11. Do I need experience
in business?
12. How much training
will I receive?
13. How long does
it take to be in business?
14. What do I do now
to own a SURE Print & Copy Centre?
As part
of the Franchise Agreement, each franchisee is granted the right to the
use of the "SURE" trademark and its related insignia. This trademark has been used for a considerable
period of time, has a successful business history, and is an asset of significant
value. The SURE trademark has a central position in our ongoing development of
superior marketing and advertising tools for all members of the chain and
must be presented and utilized in its true form.
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What is the term of the
Franchise Agreement?
The term
of the Franchise Agreement is for 10 years with an option to renew for an additional
term of 10 years. However, depending on your particular circumstances, the
term of the agreement can be extended or shortened.
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What kind of protected
territory do I get?
The protected
territory comprises of a radius of 1 kilometer or 1,000 businesses, whichever
is greater. This means that in downtown markets where there is a high concentration
of businesses, your protected territory will incorporate 1,000 businesses
while in suburban markets where businesses are spread out, you will most
likely have a protected territory of 1 kilometer. Of course, the protected
territory will normally also include a residential territory of varying sizes.
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What does Protected Territory
exactly mean?
Protected
territory means that the franchiser will not and is nor permitted to open another SURE Print &
Copy Centre in your protected area so long as you are a SURE
Print & Copy Centre in good standing.
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What are the Royalties
payable and how are they calculated?
Unlike
our competitors, the royalty structure at SURE is based on a monthly flat
fee, regardless of volumes. The royalty payable is a flat $450.00 per month
in the first three years of operation, $750.00 per month in the next four
years, and $1,000.00 per month in the final three years of the 10 year
franchise term. These figures do not change regardless of how many new
profit centers are incorporated in your store during the term of the franchise
agreement.
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What kind of advertising
fee is charged?
With
SURE, there is no advertising fee. The total price of a new SURE Print
& Copy Centre includes advertising and marketing promotions that have
been successfully tried and tested for the initial 3 months of operation.
Thereafter, each franchisee is encouraged to follow the marketing plan
as laid out in the SURE Marketing Manual and participate equally in local,
regional and national promotions that the franchiser organizes.
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What kind of Equipment
is supplied?
The standard
equipment configuration required consists of a high-speed black & white analog
copier/duplicator, a digital or analog black & white back up copier, digital
color copier with computer interface, current computer equipment,
high-resolution laser printer, fax unit, binding, laminating, folding and stitching machinery, heavy duty cutter,
as well as other related and required equipment. A complete list of current
equipment configurations is available with the complete information package.
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The location
of a SURE Print & Copy Centre plays a significant role in its profitability
and it is a very important consideration to both of us. We use various
specific criteria in analyzing sites in the geographic area of your choice
including population density, business mix, competition, traffic patterns,
exposure, access, parking availability, convenience for your potential
customer as well as other demographic data, while weighing overheads and
operating expenses for your centre. However, we keep you informed and involved on an ongoing basis of our
studies and encourage your
input in the selection process. But you make the final decision on the site,
subject to our approval.
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No. We encourage Owners to operate the business hands-on in the
first year, which is the crucial year in any business. A part-time employee is
hired initially; and supplemented with additional help and employees as the
business volume grows.
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What kind of Support
and Assistance will I receive?
You will
receive ongoing technical and marketing support for your centre with our
franchise support system. We will keep you abreast of new technology and
profit-centres as well providing you with the promotional tools via co-op
marketing and other programs to continuously grow your business and your customer
loyalty base.
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Do I need Experience
in business?
No experience
is necessary. Our training sessions in the field, in peer SURE stores and in our regional
offices will give you the required comfort and tools to be in business
for yourself and your family.
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How much Training will
I receive?
The initial
training is for a maximum of 2 persons and is for a period of 15 days,
split between the regional office, at an existing SURE Centre and on-site
at your SURE Centre. Further training, if required, is available as needed.
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How Long does it take
to be in business?
Once
you are approved and a site is finalized together with financing if required,
you will be up and running your very own SURE Print & Copy Centre within
3 weeks.
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What do I do now to own
a SURE Print & Copy Centre?
We have a simple 4 step process for consideration of a SURE Print & Copy Centre franchise:
i. Completion of Personal Information Profile Form (PIPF) by you, and approval thereof by us.
ii. Execution of Purchase and Sale Agreement, conditional upon review and approval by your legal counsel and advisor. Payment of Initial Refundable Deposit.
iii. Site identification and selection; negotiation and finalization of site lease.
iv. Processing of loan application.
Once approved, execution of Franchise
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