How To's

How Much Does A 7-Eleven Franchise Cost And How Do I Start?

Published

5 years ago

April 5, 2020

Are you interested in starting your own 7-Eleven franchise, but have no idea what a 7-Eleven franchise actually costs? How do you even go about starting a 7-Eleven franchise? This quick guide will help answer most of your franchising questions and set you on the right path to 7-Eleven franchise ownership.

7-Eleven Store Franchise and the Market

7-Eleven is an incredibly large franchisor. The brand boasts over 58,000 convenience stores operating in 17 countries worldwide. 7-Eleven was the first 24/7 convenience store, has been a convenience retailer for over 80 years, and has offered franchises for more than 40 years.

The Store

The company began operating in 1927 as the Southland Ice Company. As customers came to buy ice, enterprising employee John Jefferson Green also began selling other staples. Green sold milk, bread, and eggs after hours in order to reduce the need for customers to travel long distances for basic items. The ease of shopping appealed to customers, and the profitable business model turned into one of the first convenience stores.

Initially, stores went by the name Tote’m, since customers “toted” their packages away. The company extended store hours in 1946, opening at 7 a.m. and closing at 11 p.m. The move was unprecedented at the time, and the chain was given a new name to reflect that.

This Dallas-based company is now the world’s largest convenience store retailer. 7-Eleven has proven its resiliency time and again. In the wake of the coronavirus, while other businesses are being dealt with crushing blows, 7-Eleven has faired well.

The Industry

The convenience store industry has seen steady growth over the past few years. Although industry stat trackers have not finalized 2019 convenience store data, sales surged in 2018 and were on pace to do the same in 2019. In 2018, total sales jumped 8.9% to $654.3B, led by a 13.2% increase in fuel sales. In-store sales increased by 2.2% to a record of $242.2 billion. Foodservice sales accounted for 22.6% of in-store sales

Government restrictions aimed at curbing the coronavirus will obviously impact retail sales across the board. But comparatively speaking, convenience stores seem better positioned to absorb, and even profit from, the restrictions and current economic climate.

How Much Does a 7-Eleven Franchise Cost?

There are actually three types of 7-Eleven franchises, per the company’s Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD):

A traditional 7-Eleven. The franchisor offers franchises for a single unit that it owns or leases.
The Business Conversion Program (BCP) franchise. The franchisee is responsible for acquiring land and a building. A BCP franchisee pays a different royalty than traditional franchisees. The franchisee of a BCP is also subject to a different disclosure document than the franchisee of a traditional store
A Micro Market franchise. The franchisee owns or leases the site and most equipment to operate an unmanned 7-Eleven branded stand-alone retail space or an unmanned retail space. These locations are typically located in an office building, hospital, university, hotel or similar location and within limited square footage. The Micro Market franchise is also subject to a different disclosure document than a traditional store franchise.

The initial investment cost to launch a traditional 7-Eleven franchise will set you back between $53,600 and $1,163,000. The below table provides a complete breakdown of all initial investment costs for a traditional 7-Eleven in 2019.

Initial Cost Breakdown

Expenditure	Low	High
Initial Fee	$0	$1,000,000
Training Expenses	$0	$9,000
Down Payment for Opening Inventory	$20,000	$20,000
Additional Opening Inventory	$15,100	$44,500
Cash Register Fund	$500	$1,500
Store Supplies	$250	$2,500
Licenses and Permits	$8,000	$10,000
Real Estate and Equipment	* Covered in “7-Eleven Charge”
Insurance	$1,500	$7,500
Grand Opening Fee	$8,000	$8,000
Goodwill	**
Additional Funds During First 3 Months	$0	$60,000
ESTIMATED TOTAL	$53,600	$1,163,000

*A portion of the 7-Eleven Charge covers the required lease of the land, building and equipment. In the traditional 7-Eleven franchise system, the franchisor obtains the land, building and equipment, as well as does the leasehold improvements, including fixtures, furnishings and decorating at its expense. As part of the franchise agreement, franchisees must lease the property from 7-Eleven. The 7-Eleven Charge is charged once a month as a variable percentage of the franchise’s gross profit.
**Only applicable to incoming franchisee’s buying a current franchisee’s interest in a franchise.

Ongoing 7-Eleven Cost Breakdown

In addition to the above initial investment costs, it’s important to know what else will ultimately play into a 7-Eleven franchise cost. Perhaps most significantly, you’ll be required to pay a 7-Eleven Charge (essentially a royalty). The 7-Eleven Charge is based on a gross profit multiplier calculation. At the low end, the 7-Eleven Charge is as follows:

If the store’s Gross Profit for the 12-month period before the current month is $200,000 or less, the 7-Eleven Charge for the current month will be 45% of the current month’s Gross Profit.

At the high end, the charge is calculated as follows:

If the store’s Gross Profit for the 12-month period before the current month is over $1,600,000, we will calculate the 7-Eleven Charge for the current month according to the following formula: $893,000 + .56(Gross Profit for last 12 months – $1,600,000) Gross Profit for last 12 months.

The multiplier varies in between.

Franchisees will also be responsible to pay an advertising fee of 1% of Gross Profit each month, a Mystery Shop Fee of between $6.50 and $13.00 per shop (if the franchisee chooses to participate), a $133 monthly fee for payroll processing, and a closeout fee to $200 upon the termination of the agreement. Franchisees could be responsible for about thirteen other fees in certain circumstances.

How Do I Start a 7-Eleven Franchise?

If you want to become a 7-Eleven franchisee, you have to meet certain requirements. You should not consider applying unless you have enough money tucked away to meet 7-Eleven’s capital cutoffs. 7-Eleven requires prospective franchisees to have liquid assets of between $50,000 and $250,000. The liquid assets requirement is the amount of money a franchisor requires a franchisee to have in savings and be able to access quickly in case of emergencies and unexpected situations when starting the business.

In addition, you must meet the below general requirements before consideration:

Be at least 21 years old and have U.S. citizenship or permanent resident.
Be able to obtain and maintain all licenses necessary for the store operation.
Have excellent credit and not have filed for bankruptcy within the last seven years.
Have no prior record of felony convictions or other criminal records that could impact the ability to operate a store.
Understand the need to be involved in the day-to-day operation of the store.
Retail, operations or management experience.
Pass the required assessments.

As with all franchise purchases, it is very important to review the figures you obtain from the franchisor carefully with a professional business advisor before deciding to purchase a franchise.

Now that you have a better sense of a 7-Eleven franchise cost, if you’re interested in franchising, you can apply here.

How To's

The Rise of Paris Banh Mi Franchise

Published

8 months ago

March 15, 2024

Peter Bolic

Are you gearing up for a new business in 2024? Forget the next big tech start-up -the latest trend in town might be a perfectly toasted baguette. Take Paris Banh Mi Cafe and Bakery, for instance. This Vietnamese sandwich shop is rapidly growing, with locations popping up from coast to coast, from California to Florida.

But what’s the secret behind their success? Explore why the Paris Banh Mi franchise has snowballed in the last two years and be inspired to start your own business .

About Paris Banh Mi

The French baguette was introduced in Vietnam in the mid-19th century when the country was still a part of French Indochina. In the 1950s, Saigon saw the birth of a unique Vietnamese sandwich, “bánh mì,” which quickly became a favorite food of a large part of the population.

The story of Paris Banh Mi started in Orlando, Florida, at 1021 E Colonial Drive in 2019. Hien Tran and Doan Nguyen, a married couple passionate about food, opened the first Paris Banh Mi location. Their concept was simple: bring the delicious flavors of Vietnamese banh mi sandwiches, traditionally baguettes filled with savory meats and pickled vegetables, to a broader audience.

The customers quickly fell in love with the fresh ingredients, bold flavors, and convenient fast-casual setting. Now, Paris Banh Mi Cafe and Bakery promises to bring their customers the best “Baguette Banh Mi” taste.

In just two years, the laid-back cafe and bakery in Florida multiplied into a chain of stores in the county. Today, Paris Banh Mi is serving customers in 46 locations all across the USA. The company plans to expand to 100+ locations by 2026.

Each Paris Banh Mi Cafe and Bakery has a clean and spacious dining area, fast service, friendly staff, and a selection of delicious food and pastries. Take a peek at some of their mouth-watering baguette sandwiches filled with authentic Vietnamese ingredients.

Source: Paris Banh Mi website

For those craving something sweet, the bakery indulges you with a variety of French pastries. Check out their sandwiches, pastries, and beverages on the Paris Banh Mi Cafe and Bakery menu page.

Source: Paris Banh Mi website

Why Own a Paris Banh Mi Franchise

Paris Banh Mi is a franchised quick-service restaurant offering exciting opportunities for aspiring business owners. Many nail salon owners and aspiring entrepreneurs are switching to buying a Paris Banh Mi franchise. The main reasons why they love Paris are:

It opens a great opportunity and is more profitable.
Seamless franchising process and fewer things to worry about
Required low capital to open
Higher end-of-year profits

The benefits extend beyond operational efficiency. Paris Banh Mi boasts a surprisingly low-cost entry point compared to other franchises.

The initial franchise fee is manageable at $60,000. The total investment for opening a Paris Banh Mi can range from $200,000 to $500,000. This amount reflects the option to acquire a pre-existing, equipped location (second generation) for a lower investment cost or a complete build-out from scratch option.

Regardless of the chosen route, the investment is significantly lower than that of building a business from the ground up, making Paris Banh Mi an attractive option for many entrepreneurs.

Licensing Information

Owning a Paris Banh Mi franchise is not just about delicious food! The company is looking for dedicated individuals who can run their restaurant full-time. They will provide a multi-day training program for new franchisees. In addition, Paris Banh Mi offers ongoing support for franchisees, guiding them to make informed decisions and thrive in this exciting industry.

You’re a good fit for a Paris Banh Mi Cafe Bakery franchise if you are:

Passionate about food, especially fresh baguettes and pastries
A self-starter with a proven track record in business
Financially responsible with a focus on results
Ready to fully commit to building the Paris Banh Mi brand

If you have what it takes, don’t hesitate to contact them through the franchise hotlines on their franchise opportunities page.

Conclusion

Buying a restaurant franchise is one of the most attractive routes in the world of franchising. Paris Banh Mi makes owning your own business a lot easier. Forget the high costs and headaches of starting from scratch. Their low investment and comprehensive training program mean you can be your own boss with a delicious product. If you are ready to take a bite out of success, contact Paris Banh Mi today!

How To's

Chick-fil-A Franchising Opportunities in 2024

Published

8 months ago

March 14, 2024

Dan Wesson

Buying a franchise from Chick-fil-A is an excellent money-making and healthy option. The fast-food chain has been serving hungry consumers the most delicious chicken sandwiches unmatched by other fast-food restaurants. Buying a Chick-fil-A franchise means investing in a good business and your future. It also lets you continue the culture behind the popular food chain. Here are Chick-fil-A franchising opportunities that will give you entrepreneurial freedom in 2024.

Company Overview

Founded in 1946 by Truett Cathy, Chick-fil-A is deemed one of the longest-running chicken sandwich chains in the United States. The founder opened his first chain in Hapeville, Georgia, and has become a favorite soul food for many. Truett had worked in restaurants seven times a week and knew the importance of rest. That’s why he vowed to close Chick-fil-A every Sunday. He values rest and worship, so he sets aside one day of the week for his employees—a practice that Chick-fil-A still upholds today.

Chick-fil-A also selects franchisees that uphold their values and passion. The company takes great care in selecting who they do business with, which includes getting to know candidates through a lengthy and intensive selection process. The founder’s vision is to influence the people and communities they serve. Chick-fil-A also seeks franchise candidates in Puerto Rico, Canada, and the United States.

Chick-Fil-A candidates are required to show personal financial integrity and stewardship. They also need to have proven experience in leadership and a strong business acumen. Chick-fil-A ensures that candidates showcase entrepreneurial spirit, a strong character, and a growth mindset. This is to uphold the vision and values that Truett started in 1946.

Franchise Training Details

The initial on-site training programs last three to four weeks. However, the duration and actual location of the training will vary.
The training program primarily covers operational aspects, such as food preparation, service, customer relations, accounting, communications, purchasing, planning, maintenance, policies, management styles, and marketing.
The franchisor may require franchisees to attend various conferences and seminars occasionally. This is on top of the initial training program.
The franchisor may also offer various programs that operators can use in advertising products or hiring staff, which aren’t stipulated in the Franchise Agreement.

Franchise Territory

The franchisor will grant franchisees one Chick-fil-A restaurant at the franchisor’s designated location.
Franchisees will not get exclusive or protected territory, so they may face competition from other operators.

Franchise Obligations and Conditions

Franchisees must devote their time and effort 100% to operating their Chick-fil-A restaurant.
The franchisor only allows franchisees to sell products approved by Chick-fil-A. This also applies to franchisees with a Chick-fil-A-associated food truck.

Franchise Term and Renewal

The franchise term expires on early December 31, the year the agreement is signed or whatever the lease expiration is. Franchisees may apply for one-year extensions unless written notice is given 30 days before the franchise term expires.

Financial Assistance

The franchisor designates locations, leases, and subleases the store’s premises to franchisees. The lease and sublease terms will vary depending on the type of Chick-fil-A restaurant and location.
The franchisor also engages in concession agreements that oversee the utilization of non-traditional satellite unit locations with the proprietors or administrators of said satellite unit spaces.
The franchisor offers extended payment periods for specific pre-opening costs stipulated in the Franchise Agreement. Additionally, the franchisor leases equipment to operators, charging a monthly rental fee based on the fair market rental value established by Chick-fil-A using its singular and exclusive business judgment. It’s important to note that neither the franchisor nor any affiliated entities provide any financing arrangements to operators, either directly or indirectly.

Did You Know?

Here are some fun facts about Chick-fil-A you need to know!

Did you know that Chick-fil-A only uses peanut oil for frying? That’s what makes the chicken its unique flavor! Chick-fil-A is also the single most significant purchaser of peanut oil in the United States. They also believe peanut oil is a healthier option.
The best Chick-fil-A promotional gig was the “First 100,” where the first 100 customers inside a new Chick-fil-A restaurant would get free chicken for a year.
Did you know that the founder, Truett Cathy, invented the chicken sandwich? He worked for a restaurant in Atlanta, and the newly delivered chicken breasts were too big to serve as airline food. He turned this into a meal for the staff.
You can get a free ice cream cone by walking up to the counter and trading your toy when ordering the kid’s meal.

Franchise Cost

Your Investment

Name of Fee	Low	High
Initial Franchise Fee	$10,000	$10,000
Opening Inventory	$13,500	$140,000
First Month’s Rental of Equipment	$750	$5,000
First Month’s Lease/Sublease of Premises	$2,550	$85,500
First Month’s Insurance Expense	$240	$12,000
Additional Funds	$491,345	$2,550,935
ESTIMATED TOTAL	$518,385	$2,803,435

Other Fees

Type of Fee	Amount
Advertising	May vary (a) between 0% to 3.25%, to be determined by Chick-fil-A, as a percentage of gross receipts or (b) by vote of operators in local or regional areas.
Advertising Support and Services Fee	Advertising support and services fees incurred, if any, will vary based upon the support and services offered by the franchisor, and selected and received by the operator; the current in-house blended hourly rate for services is $100; Operator will pay any additional fees, costs and expenses as applicable.
Additional Franchise Fee	$5,000 for each additional Chick-fil-A restaurant business.
Business Services Fee	$300 (monthly).
Rent (Traditional Restaurant)	$2,550 to $85,500 (including where applicable, percentage rent).
Occupancy Charge (Satellite Unit)	Determined under the concession agreement attached as an exhibit to the concession sublicense agreement; currently estimated to range between 4% and 30% of gross receipts.
Food Truck Usage Fee (Food Truck)	Currently $2,100 to $3,100, plus additional fees, costs and expenses.
Food Truck Insurance Fee (Food Truck)	Currently $250 to $450 (monthly).
Insurance	$240 to $12,000 (monthly).
Equipment Rental	Currently $750 to $5,000 (monthly).
Hardware and Software Support; High-Speed Internet Access	$9,500 to $20,000 (annually).
Fines – Minimum Standards and Procedures	Will vary under the circumstances.
Indemnification	Will vary under the circumstances.
Operating Service Charges	Determined by formula.
Credit Cards Fees and Related Processing Fees	Will vary.
Highway Signage	Will vary under circumstances.
Interest on Late Payments	The maximum rate permitted by law, or if none, 1.25% per month.
Cash Handling System Services	$85 to $450 (monthly)
Reimbursement of Cost of Performance	Costs and expenses of performance.
Holdover Liquidated Damages	Double the base rent and percentage rent.

Here are the Chick-fil-A franchise costs:

If you’re looking for another investment opportunity, visit Franchise How’s website for more information.

How To's

Zoom Sewer and Drain Cleaning Franchise Cost

Published

9 months ago

March 12, 2024

Dan Wesson

Taking care of your home’s plumbing system is an essential part of being a homeowner. However, not everyone has the skill and patience to do it, and so franchises such as Zoom Sewer and Drain Cleaning are some of the most lucrative. Here’s what you need to know if you’re thinking of getting it:

Franchise Description

Zoom Sewer and Drain Cleaning provides drain cleaning, maintenance, sewer inspections, repair and replacement services for residential and commercial customers. The business began in 1995 and had been franchising since 2013. They have their headquarters in Norristown, Pennsylvania, and Zoom Franchise Company, LLC is the franchisor.

Training

Training for the franchisee’s principal owner and personnel will be provided by the franchisor or its representatives and agents. Before starting your franchise, Zoom Sewer and Drain Cleaning will require you to complete their training program. It comes in two phases:

Phase 1: 2 to 3 days training at the Franchise Business
Phase2: 2 to 3 days in Norristown, PA

The franchisor may also require you to attend additional training during the length of your term agreement. The franchisor is planning to hold a 2 to 3-day national Zoom Fest yearly. This will be held in Norristown, PA, or any location it designates. They will require franchisees to attend, but their managers will be welcome.

Territory

The franchisor will designate a protected territory where the franchisees will operate their business. Before signing any Franchise Agreement, both the franchisor and the franchisee will agree on a geographic territory.

The franchisor will base the protected territory on contiguous zip codes that will consist of approximately 500,000 individuals. This will be based on the most recent U.S. Census data at the time of signing the franchise agreement. This means that as long as the deal is taking effect, the franchisor or its affiliates will not locate, operate, or grant a franchise for another Zoom Sewer and Drain Cleaning business within the protected territory.

Obligations

The franchisor requires the franchisee or its principal owner to exert every effort to take responsibility for the management of the business. They will do this on a daily basis unless they agree on an alternate arrangement. With the franchisor’s discretion, the franchisee can hire a manager to handle the operations of the business.

Franchisors will also require you to sell products and services that have their approval. On the other hand, franchisees aren’t allowed to sell unauthorized products or services in compliance with the franchise agreement. Franchisees are also not allowed to solicit business outside of the protected territory. They are, however, permitted to serve customers outside of the protected territory as written in the FDD.

Term of Agreement

The initial franchise will take ten years after the signing of the agreement. You can renew the contract for another ten years, for four times, if you continue to meet the requirements.

Financial Assistance

Zoom Sewer and Drain Cleaning doesn’t offer direct or indirect financial assistance to its franchisees. In addition, they will not guarantee a franchisee’s note, lease, or obligation.

Did You Know?

Get to know more about Zoom Sewer and Drain Cleaning before you get that franchise. Here are some facts about the business:

They have very little competition in the niche. Most of their competitors are independent plumbers and contractors
According to the company’s co-founder and COO, Ellen Rohr, this is a recession-resistant business, and the Covid-19 pandemic has proven this
They have a reported $12 million in revenue with 53 employees and 15 franchisees

Your Investment

The table below shows the estimated cost of a Zoom Sewer and Drain Cleaning franchise. Take note that these numbers may change without any prior notice.

Name of Fee	Low	High
Initial Franchise Fee	$35,000	$35,000
Lease	$3,000	$9,000
Leasehold Improvement	$2,000	$40,000
Furniture, Fixtures and Computer System	$7,500	$13,000
Vehicles	$7,000	$9,500
Vehicle Wrap and Design	$4,500	$5,500
Initial Equipment and Inventory of Supplies	$40,000	$50,000
Business Licenses and Permits; Deposits and Pre-Paid Expenses	$0	$5,000
Professional Fees	$500	$3,000
Insurance – Quarterly	$4,000	$6,000
Initial Training Expenses	$500	$3,000
Initial Marketing Expenses	$45,000	$60,000
Additional Funds – 6 months	$50,000	$100,000
ESTIMATED TOTAL	$199,000	$341,000

Other Costs

Type of Fee	Amount
Royalty Fee	5% of Net Sales.
Marketing Fee	Up to 2% of Net Sales. Currently, the franchisor does not charge this fee.
Call Center Fee	Up to $25 per scheduled appointment. Currently, the franchisor does not operate the Call Center or charge a Call Center Fee.
Technology Fee	The then-current Technology Fee; currently $500 per month.
Webpage Development and Optimization Fee	The then-current fee charged by the franchisor’s designated website SEO provider; currently $695 per month.
Additional Location Fee	The then-current Additional Location Fee; currently $2,000.
Transfer Fee	Up to 50% of the then-current Initial Franchise Fee.
Renewal Fee	Up to 25% of the then-current Initial Franchise Fee.
Additional Training and Assistance	Fee and all expenses. Currently $1,000 per day plus travel expenses.
National Conference	Reasonable fees and all expenses.
Testing for Supplier Approval	Reasonable fee.
Interest on Late Payments	Lesser of 1.5% per month or maximum legal rate.
Audit Fee	Cost of audit.
Taxes	Actual cost.
Indemnification	Will vary under circumstances.
Costs and Attorneys’ Fees	Will vary under circumstances.