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Is the application deposit refundable?

Yes, the application deposit is fully refundable at any stage in your recruitment process. Your deposit will be non-refundable once you are issued with franchise documentation (including a Franchise Agreement). This money will be applied towards the costs Retail Zoo reasonably incurs in selecting and inducting you as a franchisee. Please note that the application fee is not included in the purchase price of your store.

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Will I be guaranteed a franchise after putting in my online application?

At Retail Zoo we have a robust recruitment process in place to ensure that all new franchise partners in our network are the ‘right fit’ for our businesses. The application process will also provide you with lots of information which you can use to conduct your own due diligence on our businesses and determine if our business is the ‘right fit’ for you also. In short, there are no guarantees.

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How much does your franchise opportunity cost, what does this price include and what other costs will be incurred in addition to this price?

Each brand has its own individual pricing structure for Greenfield stores; however we do work on ‘Fixed Price Contracts’ at Retail Zoo. This contract covers the brand’s franchise fee, fit out of the store, all of the plant and equipment in the store, and your training. You will also need to have an amount of funds available for working capital, start-up stock and marketing. On top of that you will need to supply a bank guarantee to the landlord; this is like a ‘rental bond’ paid to the landlord at the beginning of a lease term.

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How much working capital do I need?

Each of our brands has a different investment level. On that basis we recommend you seek external financial advice on this figure, however as a rough number to work with, we recommend you look at around 10% of the purchase price.

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Do I need cash or equity towards the purchase of a franchise?

Yes, when looking at any of our brand investments, you will have access to at least 50% of the purchase price of the business. You may have this in actual cash in your bank, funding from family and friends, equity in your home/investment properties or a combination of all of these. Please be aware that we will request proof that you have access to these funds.

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How much money will the bank lend me?

We do have relationships with some major banks so what this means is that they are familiar with our franchise model and our processes, so the lending process is generally less arduous than when starting your own business from scratch. Please speak to the franchising team about which bank is currently working with Boost Juice.

Typically, the banks will lend up to approximately 50% of the purchase price in the form of a business loan. We recommend that you commence discussions with your bank as soon as possible to understand your lending capacity and whether investing in a franchise with Boost Juice is a viable option for you.

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What kind of returns can I expect from running a Retail Zoo franchise?

Due to a significant number of variables when operating a franchise, we can’t give you concise figures before you start. Once we receive your application form however, and your initial telephone interview is complete, you will receive a Confidentiality Agreement. Following the execution of this agreement, we will provide you with the historical sales turnover figures for the Retail Zoo brand (of interest to you) and a financial planning guide to assist with your preparation of a business plan. It’s imperative that you seek independent financial advice as a part of your due diligence and that you create your own forecasting and business planning documentation.

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Do I need to find a location for the store?

No, at Retail Zoo we have a team of retail leasing experts that works across all 4 brands around Australia. Our team will identify new store opportunities, conduct due diligence with our Operations team and negotiate the commercial terms of the lease. Once a new site is available to purchase, we will list it on the ‘available opportunities’ section of the franchising website for your brand of interest.  

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If I suggest a location, does that mean I will be awarded that site?

No, we encourage all existing franchise partners as well as external interested parties to suggest locations in their area. However we have a robust system of assessment for each site. We also receive an influx of site suggestions all the time so it is likely that you are not the first person who has suggested the location. The final decision sits with our Franchising team to put forward the very best franchise partner for each site.

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Do you train me? Who pays for my training? Where do I go for training?

At Retail Zoo we have a comprehensive training program for all of our brands. The cost of training if you are buying a brand new store is included in your Fixed Price Contract. If you are purchasing an existing store, you will be required to pay a separate training fee on top of the price you have negotiated with the existing franchisee. The cost for training is between $14,000 to $35,000 + GST.

The cost for training will depend on the brand. Please talk to our franchising team if you would like more detail.

You will feel confident to step into your new store understanding all facets of running that business after working closely with our dedicated Learning & Development team!

 

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Can you release to me your franchisee selection criteria?

To protect the integrity of the recruitment process, we are unable to release the criteria of our application process. However, to give you a couple of hints, we are looking for business-minded people who love our brands and want to contribute positively to our franchise networks!

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When do I get to see the numbers?

Once we receive your application form and your initial telephone interview is successfully completed, you will receive a Confidentiality Agreement. Following the execution of this agreement we will provide you with the historical sales turnover figures for your Retail Zoo brand of choice, and a financial planning guide to assist you with interpreting those numbers and preparing a business plan.

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How long will it take to come through the application process?

Every franchise candidate’s journey through the Retail Zoo application process is different as there are always many variables at play. Typically our partners reach the final assessment stages of our application within 8-10 weeks of applying. These timeframes may vary depending on the availability of the site, your location and availability along with other factors.

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Do I need previous business or food industry experience to become a franchise partner?

No you don’t. But you must have a hunger for success, love your brand and have an unmatched enthusiasm for your business. This is all achievable without prior food or business ownership experience! A genuine appreciation for great customer service is also integral to growing as a successful franchise partner with Retail Zoo. We will supply you with all of the tools, systems and process to assist you in reaching your business aspirations.

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How many steps are there in the recruitment process?

The Retail Zoo recruitment process consists of 12 robust steps which will deem you to be the ‘best fit’ for the brand and provide you with ample opportunities to assess whether we are the right franchisor for you to enter into partnership with.

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Do I need to prepare for the telephone interview?

No, this is an opportunity for both parties to find out more about each other and for us to understand your brand knowledge and motivation for wanting to invest in a Retail Zoo Franchise.

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Is there a cost to attend a franchise information evening?

No, we hold these fun and informative evenings around the country 2-3 times a year giving you a chance to get to know the team and the brands a little bit better.

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By placing an enquiry on the website, is that all I have to do to start the recruitment process?

Once you submit an enquiry keep your eye on the email address you supplied! You will receive an instant bounce back email with a link to the Retail Zoo information pack and your own unique login username & password. You will need these unique details to proceed to the full online application form and start your Retail Zoo recruitment adventure. As the email sent to you is automatically generated from our system, sometimes the response can end up in your junk mail account, so please be sure to keep an eye out for it!

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Why are existing stores for sale, priced differently to new site opportunities?

Existing stores are typically owned by a Franchise Partner in our network. The sale price of the business is set at the discretion of the existing franchise partner based on a number of factors such as the financial performance of the store, refurbishments and the length of time left on the lease. You will need to negotiate directly with that franchise partner on the sale price of the store only after you have successfully completed the telephone interview and signed the confidentiality agreement.

In the case of company stores for sale, the sale price is set by the Franchisor. New site opportunities have many variables affecting the Fixed Price Contract, and therefore we offer a range initially, until we can provide you with a final number for the fixed price contract. This range covers the full build, plant and equipment, franchise fee and training

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What cost’s am I likely to incur once owning the business?

Each brand has an ongoing royalty and marketing structure. For more information on this, please refer to the Retail Zoo Information Pack: {why join the zoo}. There will be other costs that you will incur as a business owner. We will inform you of these as you work through the application process.

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Can I source my own supplies for the business?

There will be fresh elements of the supply chain that you can seek permission to source locally. Your Franchise Business Consultant will offer you advice about this before you begin trading as a franchise partner.

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What ongoing support will I get from Retail Zoo?

Retail Zoo has a large network of professionals at the global support centre in Melbourne to assist our franchise partners. Our support teams cover areas such as Marketing, IT, Finance and Store Design just to name a few. Each Retail Zoo brand has a dedicated team of Operations professionals on the ground in each state to assist you with your day to day needs and to mentor you as a business owner.

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How long is the franchise granted?

For new stores, the Franchise Agreement is granted for a 7 year term. If you are buying an existing store, you will be granted the term remaining on the existing Franchise Agreement for the store. If the occupancy right for the premises ends before the expiry of the term, you may be unable to operate the franchise for the entire Franchise Agreement term. If you have any queries about this, please contact the Franchising team.

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How long is the typical lease term? Why is the franchise & lease term different?

Lease terms vary from store to store. Typically, a retail lease term is around 4 – 6 years in duration. The term of the lease is set by the landlord and while we will always look to secure the longest possible lease, it is unlikely that your franchise agreement term and the term of your lease will be congruent. This is not a problem. As a franchise partner, you are able to sell your asset (your franchise) at any time throughout the franchise agreement term or the lease term. It is important to note that your business will always be worth the most at the beginning of a new lease term. If you have any questions about this, please contact the Retail Zoo Franchising team as we are happy to provide more information about this.

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What happens at the end of the lease term?

You will be contacted by the Leasing team as your store lease is coming to an end. The lease renewal process is consultative between the franchise partner and the Leasing team. Our Leasing team will want to understand your expectations for the commercial terms of the lease and will work to secure the best possible deal for all our franchise partners.

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What if I want to own more than one store?

At Retail Zoo we have a policy that all new franchise Partners must own and operate their first business for a minimum of 12 months before being considered for additional stores. As long as you have proven yourself as a strong operator, you have the financial ability to acquire additional businesses and you have a plan as to how you wish to operate multiple businesses we will happily discuss multi-siting opportunities with you.

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Do I need to work in the business full-time or can I run my franchise under management?

At Retail Zoo, our experience is that the most profitable business are owner-operated. For that reason, we have an expectation that our franchise partners are working in their businesses. The Franchise Agreement stipulates that you must commit yourself to the business on a full-time basis for the first 6 months and for at least 20 hours per week thereafter. Ideally, we are looking for full-time owner-operators.

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Do I have to be an Australian Citizen or Permanent Resident of Australia to franchise with Retail Zoo in Australia?

Yes, you will need to hold either Permanent Australian Residency or be an Australian Citizen to purchase a Retail Zoo business.

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What if I want to franchise outside of Australia?

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• Is the application deposit refundable?
• Will I be guaranteed a franchise after putting in my online application?
• How much does your franchise opportunity cost, what does this price include and what other costs will be incurred in addition to this price?
• How much working capital do I need?
• Do I need cash or equity towards the purchase of a franchise?
• How much money will the bank lend me?
• What kind of returns can I expect from running a Retail Zoo franchise?
• Do I need to find a location for the store?
• If I suggest a location, does that mean I will be awarded that site?
• Do you train me? Who pays for my training? Where do I go for training?
• Can you release to me your franchisee selection criteria?
• When do I get to see the numbers?
• How long will it take to come through the process?
• Do I need experience in the food industry to become a franchise partner?
• Do I need previous business experience?
• How many steps are there in the recruitment process?
• Do I need to prepare for the telephone interview?
• Is there a cost to attend a franchise information evening?
• By placing an enquiry on the website, is that all I have to do to start the recruitment process?
• Why are existing stores for sale, priced differently to new site opportunities?
• What cost’s am I likely to incur once owning the business?
• Can I source my own supplies for the business?
• What ongoing support will I get from Retail Zoo?
• How long is the franchise granted?
• How long is the typical lease term? Why is the franchise & lease term different?
• What happens at the end of the lease term?
• What if I want to own more than one store?
• Do I need to work in the business full-time or can I run my franchise under management?
• Do I have to be an Australian Citizen or Permanent Resident of Australia to franchise with Retail Zoo in Australia?
• What if I want to franchise outside of Australia? Click here for more information

• On what basis do you choose your franchisees; what attributes does the right franchise partner possess?
• What are all the costs associated with buying a Retail Zoo franchise?
• What support will I receive once I buy a Retail Zoo franchise?
• Do you help with financing?
• Will you help me find the best site?
• How long before I can open?
• Do you provide marketing and advertising support?
• What revenue can I expect to make in the first year?
• Can I speak with other franchisees?
• Have you had any franchise closures, if so, why?
• How long is the typical franchise term and lease term, what happens when they expire?
• Is there an exit strategy?

1. Assess why you really want to own a business;
2. Think about how your lifestyle and income will change when owning and operating a business; do you have support from your family and friends?
3. Access the franchise brands you have chosen and if they are consistent with your answers to the above 2 questions?
4. Build your understanding of the franchise relationship by reading all franchise collateral available.
5. Narrow your franchise search to a few systems, then request further information.
6. If appropriate, and you are comfortable with the decision, select a system and commence the application process.
7. Ensure you have adequate funds, borrowing capacity, and working capital to successfully establish this type of business.
8. Be sure you receive and evaluate all disclosure material during the application process.
9. Be sure you receive independent legal and accounting advice from lawyers and accountants with franchise experience before making any final commitment.
10. Use the recruitment process to do all relevant due diligence on the franchise brand and location.
11. Make certain you do your own sales forecasting, budgeting and due diligence on the brand.
12. Make certain you feel confident that you know everything there is to know about your chosen franchise brand before signing franchise documentation.