The interview between me and the owner of Tutti Frutti Danau Kota, Platinum Walk

I went to Danau Kota. Platinum Walk Tutti Frutti to ask for approval for interview with the owner and make an appointment with her, Ms Michelle.

Entrance of Danau Kota, Platinum Walk Tutti Frutti

Interior of the shop

Topping area and cashier

Seat area outside the shop

Below are the few question i had asked:

1. Is the potential market for the product or service adequate to support your franchise? Will the prices you charge be in line with the market?

Yes, cause we have high quality and healthy yogurt, but I think the price is too high for student.

2. Is the market’s population growing, remaining static, or shrinking? Is the demand for your product or service growing, remaining static, or shrinking?

Shirking, cause I think the price for the product is quite expensive.

3. Is the product or service a passing ”fad”, or is it a durable business idea?

For me is a “FAD” but as long as the quality is good, I think will be a durable business.

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

It has 4 to 5 years of history in this franchise.

5. Is the franchise international, national, regional, or local in scope? Does it involve full-or part-time involvement?

It is an international franchise, yes.

6. How many franchise outlets now exist? How many will there be a year from now? How many outlets are company-owned?

There are 50+ of outlets exist now, I think will be 2 to 3 more after a year.

7. How many franchisees have left the system within this past year? What were their reasons for leaving?

10+, cause the business is shirking.

8. 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?

It taught us how to do yogurt at start. And some history bout Tutti Frutti.

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

No, but if it is yes, I think it might be very expensive.

10. What facilities and equipment are required for the franchise? Who pays for construction? Is there a lease agreement?

Yogurt machine, the franchise owner will pay for the construction, yes.

11. How much is the franchise fee? Exactly what does it cover? Are there any confining fees? What additional fees are there?

RM600,00 which cover the yogurt machines, renovation, furniture and also cashier machine, there are no additional fees.

12. What is the length of the franchise agreement? Under what circumstances can it be terminated? If you terminate the contract, what are the costs to you? What are the terms and costs of renewal?

The agreement length is 3 years, it cannot be terminate before 3 years, it only will inform the terms and costs of renewal after 3 years.

13. Are you allowed to sell your franchise to a third party? Does the franchiser reserve the right to approve the buyer?

No, I cannot sell me franchise to any third party, and I need approval from the franchiser.

14. Is there national advertising program? How is it financed? What media are used? What help is provided for local advertising?

It only advertise locally like RTM and NTV7, to get more people to know about us.

15. What was your greatest disappointment after getting into this business?

Cannot earn much, cause it quite expensive for customer.

16. What are your biggest challenges and problems?

There are not much of customers after sometime my shop opened.

17. What do you like most about being a franchisee? Least?

To earn more money. When there are no customers.

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

Yes, but I consider the location before I buying it.

19. Do you have to buy from the franchisor or its list of suppliers? Are there minimum purchases? Can you purchase from others? How does the pricing from the required suppliers compare?

Yes, but there is no minimum purchase, and I get from other. Not much different.

20. Does the management style and level of control exerted by the franchisor fit for you? Is the loss of independence worth the potential gains?

Yes.

Here is the photo when I and my friends having interview with the owner, Ms Michelle.

While having interview with Ms Michelle

We get 20% discount for the yogurt we had after interview with Ms Michelle.