Questions to Ask Current Franchisees

How much does your franchise gross per year? How much does it net? Are the procedures followed to make royalty payments to use the franchisee burdensome? 

(Unable to answer. I was told to look it up on their official website.)

Are the financial projections of revenues, expenses, and profits that the franchiser provided me accurate in your judgement?

Yes, it does. 

Does the franchiser give you enough assistance in operating your business?   

Yes, they do. They provide the necessary training for us to let us know more about the coffees, basic manners, and environments that we are providing for the customers.

How many hours, on average, do you work a week? 

8 Hours, on average, 5 days a week. Every week has 2 days off. 5 minutes breaks for them each day.

How often do you get a vacation?

Twice per year. 

Have you been caught off-guard by any unexpected costs or expectations?

No, I didn't encounter this problem before. The costumer here were quite friendly and also very patient. Sometimes small expectation happen but it won't cause a big hassle.

Does your franchiser provide ongoing training and support you?

Yes. Before working, I was trained at Berjaya Starbucks Coffee, the headquarters. there will be a one month training class for the franchisee. 

If you had to do it all over again, would you purchase a franchise in this system? Why or why not? 

Yes, I will.  Because this is my passion. I'd been very happy working with Starbucks for 5 years,  I don't plan to step down anytime soon. I will continued to serve the people. Besides it is also quite popular among the working people and students and it is also easy to make profit like that.

Questions to Ask a Franchisor.

Prior to this, I had called the Berjaya Group for a short interview with the people there. 

Surprisingly, He was able to answered most of my questions. While some of them, he told me to refer to their official website.

What is the background of the company and it's performance record? 

Well, Starbucks was based in Seattle, Washington founded by three partners, Jerry Baldwin an English teacher, Zev Siegl a history teacher, and Gordon Bowker a writer in the year of 1971.

The name Starbucks comes from Herman Melville’s Moby Dick, a classic American novel about the 19th century whaling industry.In Malaysia, Berjaya Starbucks Coffee Company SdnBhd is jointly owned by Starbucks Coffee International and Berjaya Corporation Berhad. The company operates Starbucks stores throughout Malaysia. The first Starbucks store in Malaysia opened on 17 December 1998 at KL Plaza in Jalan Bukit Bintang, Kuala Lumpur and it grows rapidly that, 115 stores were build all over Malaysia nowadays.

What is the company's current financial status?

You may get it from the official website.

What are the names, addresses, and phone numbers, of existing franchisees in my trade area?Alpha Angle Shopping Centre.Lot G25A Jusco Alpha Angle Shopping Centre,
Jalan 2/27A, Setapak,
53300 Kuala Lumpur
Telephone: +60 3-4149 2842

Describe how you train and mentor your franchisees.

•  Provide a pre-opening training before working
• Training classes for one month.
• Train to know the coffee name, the recipe.
• Keep giving support and training
• Held an annual training program

If at some point I decide to exit the franchise relationship, how does the exit process work?

Starbucks does not allowed exit relationship to happen.

In what ways do you work with a franchisee who is struggling?

We will decide whether to work with or end the relationship of franchisee based on the outcome of their performance. Renovation of the current franchisee, lending money and also release some promotion item to help them. Organizing some event to raise the reputation of that franchisee.

A visit to the outlet.

I went to Starbucks, Wangsa Maju to do my research on their franchise. 
It was a nice cozy place, less crowded with nice soothing music. 
The customers are enjoying their coffees while I walk passed them.
No doubt, Starbucks has always been and always will be about quality.
The store  is about enjoyment at the speed of life – sometimes slow and savored, sometimes faster. Always full of humanity. 
I went in to interview with their manager. Ms. Rina
She was a friendly lady. Already has been working here for the past 5 years.
Prior to that, I had already make an appointment with her. She weren't sure what I was up to.
And so I told her I wanted to do an interview for assignment purpose.
She gladly accept my request and appointment were made on that day.
On the day of the interview, I was then asked to give her the questions and we sat down with a small simple table between us.
At first, She weren't able to answer most of the questions about franchise.
Nevertheless, I kept on trying and I tried to asked in a more simple manner and minimize the proficiency usage of English, as she is poor in English.
Hence, she ended able answered them. 
After around 15 minutes, we then concluded our interview with both parties thanking each other.
She wouldn't let me snap a picture of her, I was told that she is busy.
Although I didn't expect to received a lot of questions left unanswered, but still, I'm very much appreciate enough that she invites me to wrap up the interview. 

  

The front of the outlet.

Counter

Serving Customer

Customers looking around.

Cakes!

Places to hang around.

The Baristas are busy working. 

Franchise Approval Process

Where can I usually find Starbucks? and Starbucks worldwide.

Starbucks can be found in any neighborhood where there is a perceived high traffic for it's stores. Their location are extremely conductive for individual that are on the go and for those who enjoy reading and listening to music


Ever since Starbucks was first established. The franchise has been growing gradually throughout the world.

It currently operating in more than 50 countries.

Argentina, Aruba, Australia, Austria, Bahamas, Bahrain, Belgium, Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada, Chile, China, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Egypt, El Salvador, England, France, Germany, Greece, Hong Kong, Hungary, Indonesia, Ireland, Japan, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Netherlands, Northern Ireland,Oman, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Romania, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Scotland, Singapore, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, Thailand, Turkey, United Arab Emirates,United States and Wales.

Vision and Mission

Vision

To inspire and nurture the human spirit - one person, one cup and neighborhood at a time.

Mission

Mission statement: "The mission of Starbucks is to establish Starbucks as the premier purveyor of the finest coffee in the world while maintaining our uncompromising principles while we grow."

• Provide a great work environment and treat each other with respect and dignity.
• Embrace diversity as an essential component in the way we do business. 
• Apply the highest standards of excellence to the purchasing, roasting and fresh delivery of out coffee.
• Develop enthusiastically satisfied customer all of the time.
• Contribute positively to our communities and our environment.
• Recognize that profitability is essential to our future success.

The People of Starbucks Coffee

The People.

Starbucks Coffee is diverse and significant. They are called partners, because it’s not just a job, it’s their passion. Together, they embrace diversity to create a place where each of us can be ourselves. They always treat each other with respect and dignity. And they hold each other to that standard.
Starbucks Coffee believe in treating their partners with respect and dignity. Starbucks Coffee are proud to offer two land mark programs for their partners:

comprehensive health coverage for eligible full‐ and part‐time partners and equity in the company through their BeanStock program.