The interview

Before I went to any interview, I had searched for the number of the Sun Francisco Coffee, E@Curce. I called for the permission and make an appointment for the interview but failed. This is because, they told me that they are not a franchise but outlet. So, I decided to visit another franchise as well.

After this, I do not make any call for it. I went to the SFC, Punlika for a walk in requested interview. Unfortunately, the manager is not on shift. The employee there was so kind, they helped me called the manager for asking and make an appointment. i can't make it to the appointment that the manager had set due to I have classes at the time. So, I requested the manager's contact as well. i called him when i back home. He was so kind and friendly. After a few minutes of conversation, I had the latest updates appointment with him on Monday 5pm.

I prepared well for the interview questions before I meet him. I had planned well for the timing of the interview but the classes end late. So, I have to delay the appointment. I text the manager for the delay. He was just so kind and okay with it. Once I reach the place, I saw a Malay guy was siting in the corner but not sure it was him. So, I asked the counter and they told me he was the one. This is so surprising.So, the interview started with the introduce and I passed him the permission letter as well. He asked me is that for him to keep. I wonder that this might be his first time for such interview.

Mr Azrul, the manager of the outlet. The beginning of the interview, he was just answering all the questions by writing it aside that I provided to him. He asked me why not email him the question so that he can prepare it as well. After answering, we start a conversation. i asked him a few questions. Some questions related to the documentary. So, he had to walk here and there from the table we sat at the counter for few times. He really very kind of it, he did not feel any troublesome and so willing to show and helped me. After checking the documents, he found there are no privacy on it, he asked me whether I want to snap pictures on it or photocopier on it. Surprisingly, they have their own photostat machine, and he straight away photostat for it before I make a decision on it.

While discussing the question, I only found that he is not just a manager but also the franchisee of this SFC. He told me his experience on this field, and some of his story. He told me why he studied engineering but didn't get back to that field and about some of the qualification as well. We are quite close after so much, we talk like friends.

We had around 2 hours of the interview and it comes to the end. I requested to take a photo with him for proven. Awkward moment began, I asked him should I take some notes of file while photo shoot. He question me back that did I try their coffee before and do I want to have a try on it? Before I answer him, he already asked his barista to prepare me a cup of hot coffee.

Here I get a free hot coffee that treated by a very good, friendly and kind managers+ franchiser.

Free hot coffee treats

Before the coffee is served, of course, I take the free time and the opportunity of taking the photo around of the environment of the shop. Here is the San Francisco Coffee, Publika.

The cashier

The decoration

The outside view

The inside view

Lastly, of course is the photo section with the manager after the coffee is served!

The SFC Manager and ME!

Franchise evaluation list myself

Are you qualified to operate a franchise successfully? Do you have adequate drive, skills, experience, education, patients, and financial capacity? Are you prepared to work hard? 
Yes. I am qualified to operate a franchise successfully. I have the skill of social, 3 years SFC managers, 4 years of SFC barista experience and  I am a degree holder of engineering. I am prepared to work hard.

Are you willing to sacrifice some autonomy in operating a business to own a franchise?
Yes.

Can you tolerate the financial risk? Would business failure wipe you out financially?
Yes. I can tolerate the financial risk. if my financial is strong enough then my business wouldn't be a problem and failure.

Can you juggle multiple task simultaneously and prioritize various projects so that you can accomplish those that are most important?
I can juggle multiple taste even to all the employees of SFC. We have to prepare few beverages in the same times, control the traffic, serving and also cashier as well.

Are you genuinely interested in the product or service you will be selling? Do you enjoy this kind of business? Do you like to sell.
Yes to all.

Do you enjoy working with the managing people? Are you a "team player?"
I enjoy working with the managing people and I am a good team player and a good team leader as well.

Will the business generates enough profit to suit you?
Yes. The business generates enough profit to me.

Has the franchiser investigated your background thoroughly enough to decide if you are qualified to operate the franchise?
Yes. They have to make sure that do the person have any bankruptcy record or any prison case for safety.

What can this franchisor do for you that you cannot do for yourself?
Branding.

The franchiser and the franchise

Is the potential market for the product or service adequate to support your franchise? Will the price you charge be in line with the market?
Yes. Our product has high quality, pure and tasty, natural, hygienic, fresh and trendy drinks. Our coffee beans are roasted in local. Therefore our price is more reasonable and affordable than the others.

Is the market's population growing, remaining static, or shrinking? Is the demand for your product or service growing, remaining static, or shrinking?
Yes. There are mostly office peoples love our coffee and they enjoy quality life. So they willing to spend on high quality product. We need to open more outlet in the different office building to full-fill the demand of our coffee.

Is the product or service safe and reputable?
Our product is safe and taste good. We have own factory and farm for the roasted beans. So, it is fresh without taking long period to import from other country. Our roasted beans are high quality which produce fresh, and rich-brewed beverages. Besides of coffee and drinks, we also provide food like pasta, lasagna, and sandwiches. We do have a great environment provided for our customers to enjoy their food and drinks. Free wifi also provided to the customers at every store. So customers can enjoy their coffee while surfing.

Is the product or service a passing "fad" or is it a durable business idea?
Yes. San Fracisco Coffee is a worldwide company that sells finest coffee for over 16 years until now. As strong as the product is good quality, good service and promotion. It is definitely a durable business idea.

What will the competition, direct or indirect, be in your sales territory? Do any other franchises operate in this general area?
Yes. There are some of the competition sell the same things like us like coffee, food and dessert. There are other franchises operate in the same area like Ben's, journal by plan b, chawan and others more.

How many years has the franchiser been in operation? Does it have a sound reputation for honest dealing with franchises?
16 years.

How many franchise outlets now exist? How many will there be a year from now? How many outlets are company owned?
There are 2 franchises and 33 outlets.

How many franchises have failed? Why?
No franchises have failed but yes to the outlet. There are 2 outlets have failed because of breach of contract.

How many franchises have left the system within the past year? What were their reasons for leaving?
No.

What service and assistance will the  franchiser provide? What kind of training program does the franchiser offer? How long does it last? What topics does it cover? Does the franchiser offer ongoing assistance and training?
For the training program, the new employer need to attend a training course on the method of preparing a coffee drink, serving and other knowledge about SFC. This training course will be held in different outlet in different time as well. New employer had to attend the training course according the training turns. if the found the employee is not so good in performance. They can send the employee to the training as well.

Will the franchise perform a location analysis to help you find a suitable site? if so, is there an extra charge for doing so?
Depends on the franchisor.

Will the franchisor offer you exclusive distribution rights for the length of the agreement, or may sell it to other franchises in this area?
No. It won't be sold.

What facilities and equipment are required for the franchise? Who pays for construction? Is there a lease agreement?
The facilities and equipments are brew machine, table, chair, cashier, food and others. These facilities are all paid by SFC.

How much is the franchise fee? Exactly what does it cover? Are there any confining fees? What additional fees are there?
Depends on the brand and marketing.  The franchise fee is around 100k which cover the licensing fee, store built up and custom design. The other fees are actually covered by SFC.

Copy of the fees

Copy of the fees

Does the franchiser provide an estimate of expenses and income? Are they reasonable in your particular area? Are they sufficiently documented?
No. Within 5 years and need to cover the expenses.

Does the franchiser offer a written contract that cover all the details of the agreement? Has your attorney and your accountant studied its terms and approved it? Do you understand the implication of the contract?
Yes.

What is the length of the franchise agreement? Under what circumstances can it be terminated? If you terminated the contract, what are the cost to you?
5 years. There are penalty fees.

Are you allowed to sell your franchiser to a third party? Does the franchisor reserve the right to approve the buyer?
No.

Is there a national advertising program? How is it financed? What media are used? What helped is provided foe local advertising?
Yes. 2 %. Almost all the advertisements are done locally. Newspaper, banner and flyer are the media of the advertisement.

Once you open for business, exactly what support will the franchiser offer you?
Training. 

The franchisees

How much does your franchise gross per year? How much does it net? Are the procedures followed to make royalty payments to the franchise burdensome?
RM 55K per year.

Are the financial projections of revenues, expenses, and profits that the franchisor provided me accurate in your judgement?
Yes. The monthly expenses are - kitchen and warehouse delivery
                                                - Staff
                                                - Rental
                                                - ventilities
                                                - 7% of loyalty

Does the franchisor give you enough assistance in operating your business?
Yes. Really enough for me to operate my business very well.

How many hours on average do you work a week?
8 hours per day of 6 which means 48 hours per week.

How often do you get a vacation?
No

Have you been caught off- guard by any unexpected costs or expectation?
So far no but there are two outlet yes.

Does your franchisor provide ongoing training and support to you?
Yes, there are training and meeting for the new staff.

If you had to do it all over again. Would you purchase a franchise in this system? Why or why not?
Yes. Because the royalty of SFC system. We could not purchase anything from other agent which already provided by the SFC which I like to systematic system,

Has the franchiser lived up to his promise?
So far yes.

What is the process of getting a franchise?
1. Contact franchise provider, explain about their company
2. First meeting, and briefly about their products
3. Arrange another meeting, T&C appointment
4. Set up company like registration on SSM. MOF CERT, BANK ACCOUNT, LISENCE

   The application form of DBKL license 

5. Application submission to franchisor

The original DBKL license

6. Approval by franchisor
7. Contract and agreement signing.
8. Proceed to the SFC project outline

The SFC project outline

What was your greatest disappointment after getting into this business?
So far no any disappointment.

What are the biggest challenges and problem?
Sales and the staff turnover.

What is your franchise's cash flow like?
No answer.

How much money are you making on your investment?
No answer.

What do you like most about being a franchisee? Least?
No answer.

Is there a franchise advisory council that represents franchises?
Yes.

Knowing what you know now, would you buy this franchise again?
Yes.

3 "OURs"

Our Menu
Yes, it's true, our coffees are the stuff of legend. But let's not forget about all the other things on our menu- like our food!  Whether you need a quick bite first thing in the morning, or want to enjoy a leisurely lunch, you'll find something to your liking in our menu. A word of caution: You will have a hard time choosing! Enny,menny, miny, moe......

Menu from the franchise of I visited

OUR COFFEE
There's a simple reason why people go gaga over our coffee- we buy the best coffees available each season from around the world and hand roast them (in a loving way of course) locally in small batches, which is something that no other coffee chain in Malaysia does. But don't just take our word for it- "The proof of the coffee is in the drinking".

OUR STORE LOCATION

Kuala Lumpur

- ASTRO

- THE SPHERE

- MID VALLEY MEGA MALL

- ETIQA TWINS

- CIMB HEADQUATERS

- PUBLIKA SOLARIS DUTAMAS

- MENARA CITIBANK

- MENARA TM 

- MENARA UOA

- HEWLETT- PACKARD TOWERS

- ROHAS PERKASA

- MENARA MILENIUM

- SUNWAY TOWER 2

- TUNE HOTEL

- KLCC

-INTERMARK

- MENARA AIA

- ST.MARY PLACE

- MENARA KECK SENG 

- SFC EXPRESS WISMA UOA 1

- CHULAN TOWER 

SELANGOR

- E@CURVE

- SYMPHONY HOUSE

- SUNWAY COLLEGE

- WISMA CONSPLANT

- ALAMANDA

- PARADIGM MALL

- HP GLOBAL CENTER

- PJ TRADE CENTER

- INTI COLLEGE

All about San Francisco Coffee

In 1997, a coffee company with a simple, yet a noble mission was created. That company was San Francisco Coffee, and our mission was to save good people from bad coffee. Fast forward to today and  we've stuck to our guns, still brewing the good brew, and giving the population it's fix. What's our secret? Allow us to explain:

OUR STUFF IS THE GOOD STUFF

We serve fresh coffee sourced from the best coffee farm on this green earth and our roastmaster, uses them to conduct blend and roasts that have the peoples wringing their hands, anxious for their next hits. 

OUE "1" RULE

Timing is everything, which is why we have just "1" rule that we never break when it comes to the tastes and freshness of our coffee: Our beans are never used 1 month from roasting; 1 week from the bag being opened; and 1 day from being ground.

WE'VE GOT YOUR BACK

SF knows that there are others who just don't get it. But we do. We understand that there are days when you want to kill your boss, throw your computer out the window, make your mother stop nagging.... and all your want, is a cup of coffee - your way.

WE WALK THE WALK 

Time is money and talk is cheap, which is why we let our speedy, quality service and top shelf product speak for themselves. And once we've impressed you with these, we'll charm you with our winning personality.

As much as we're obsessed with and love our coffee beans, they're not a very sociable bunch. Which is why we'd like to hear from you! Feel free to tell us how we're doing, what you think we could improve on, or just any old thing. Send us an email or give us a call- we welcome your comments!

TEL: 603 79571118

FAX: 602 79579118

SNAIL MAIL: San Francisco Coffee Sdn Bhd

                   Lot 4A, Suite 3.01, Level3

                     Wisma Academy, Jalan 19/1

          46300 Petaling Jaya

Malaysia

EMAIL: feedback@sfcoffee.com

FACEBOOK: www.facebook.com/SanFranCoffee
WEBSITE: www.sfcoffee.com

Welcome !

I am a student from the TARC University College, currently who studying in Advance Diploma in Multimedia Design. This blog is all about the franchise which is one of the assignments in the subject of ABDM4223 Entrepreneurship. I had interviewed one of the franchise of San Francisco Coffee which located at PUBLIKA SOLARIS DUTAMAS, KL.

Outlet: San Franciso Coffee

Location : Lot 29, Level G2, Publika Shopping Gallery Solaris Dutamas, Kuala Lumpur, 50480

Contact No:  Tel: +603 64116789 

                    Fax: +603 64116788

Operations Hours: Monday- Friday 8am-9pm

                             Sat, Sun and PH 8am-9pm

About Me

       

  

                                                           Name : Vivian Kong Wai Sim 

           ID No: 12WHA11350           

             Gender: Female                        

Tutor: Stephen Ong    

Programme: AML1-U4