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Frequently Asked Questions

01. What is franchising?

Franchising is really about you being in business for yourself but not by yourself.

Generally, franchising is where one party, the franchisor, licences another party, the franchisee, to distribute and market a product or service and use the business name and/or trademarks for a fixed period in return for a fee.

Under the Maries Pizza franchising system, a franchisee has the opportunity to conduct a business using the Maries Pizza name, system and products.

02. What is a franchise?

According to the Franchising Code of Conduct, a business is deemed to be a franchise where:

  1. There is a written, oral or implied agreement;
  2. One party (the franchisee) is granted the right to carry on a business of offering, supplying or distributing goods or services under a system or marketing plan;
  3. The system or marketing plan is substantially determined, controlled or suggested by the other party (the franchisor);
  4. The operation of the business will be substantially or materially associated with the franchisor’s trademark, advertising or commercial symbol; and
  5. Before starting or continuing the business the franchisee must pay or agree to pay the franchisor an amount, whether an initial fee, ongoing royalty or other payment.

03. Why should I choose a franchise instead of starting my own business?

Starting a new business can be very risky. By purchasing a franchise you can reduce the risk, to some extent, as you are buying a business with an established, successful business concept. In addition, you receive access to our exclusive recipes and associated products, a comprehensive business and marketing system, ongoing support, advice and training from us.

In addition, as a franchisee, you benefit from the Group Buying Power and negotiating capacity made available by the Franchisor - especially in terms of advertising and marketing presence. Similarly, the bulk purchasing power and negotiating capacity for ancillary stock & supplies by the franchise group as a whole will reduce costs that an independent operator cannot achieve.

04. Why should I choose to become a Maries Pizza franchisee?

‍The Maries Pizza group is a family business that has been successfully operating for over 29 years. The company is highly experienced and is recognised for their superior quality product and its excellent customer service and as a result is recognised as an industry leader. We would now like to share our success and knowledge with others through our franchising program.

05. How do I go about becoming a Maries Pizza franchisee?

‍You have already started the journey. The first thing you must do is complete an Application and Disclosure Form. This information will assist us in assessing your suitability as a Maries Pizza franchisee. Should we decide after this stage that you meet our initial criteria, then, subject to you undertaking a confidentiality agreement, we would provide you with a detailed outline of the steps, which must be completed in order for you to become a franchisee.

06. How much will it cost?

‍The fee payable for the grant of a franchise is $40,000 exclusive of GST. You will also be required to make monthly payments for group management (known as the Franchise Service Fee) and group marketing (known as the Marketing Fee). You will be given full disclosure in relation to these and other expenses before being required to enter into any agreement with us.

07. What do I receive for my initial fee?

‍The Franchise Establishment Fee is your payment for the grant by us of the right to use the valuable intellectual property, which comprises the Maries Pizza business opportunity. However, you get a lot more than that for your Franchise Establishment Fee, you also get access to our exclusive recipes and products, the best marketing concepts and the systems to maximise profits from your own business.

08. What is the Franchise Service Fee?

‍The purpose of the Franchise Service Fee is to remunerate us, (the franchisor), for the on-going services we provide to you, such as:
  • Training and monitoring;
  • Concept and product development;
  • Manual updates;
  • Access to products from the Maries Pizza licenses and other contacts;
  • Franchise Performance Reviews aimed to assist you in making your business more effective and profitable,
  • The benefit of group purchasing power;
  • Ongoing advice and support;
  • Management of the Group; and
  • Other miscellaneous services

The Franchise Service Fee is currently set at 6% of your gross revenue per month payable to the franchisor.

09. What is the Marketing Fee?

‍The purpose of the Marketing Fee is to pool the marketing contributions of all franchisees to maximise any possible benefits. We are required to use the Marketing Fee to promote the franchise network. Promotional activities may include media advertising, website development, promotional offers and the costs of producing Maries Pizza promotional material.

10. How much is the Marketing Fee?

‍The Marketing Fee is 4.5% of gross revenue per month.

11. How long does it take to build my business up?

‍The simple answer is that it can take a number of years to establish a business and for it to reach its full potential. In reality of course it depends on many external factors as well as your own ability to learn quickly and work hard. Often the speed at which a business establishes itself is related to the practices and work effort of the owner. We will help, where we can, however the tasks are yours to undertake (with our support) and your results will undoubtedly reflect your skills and efforts.

12. When should I start to look for premises?

‍Please talk to us before you start talking to Agents or property developers. In reality it is never too early to look for a suitable store although you must talk to us before you start ringing Real Estate Agents. We have developed a Guide to Site Selection that you can use and this will be made available to you at an appropriate time. We can make your task of finding suitable premises much easier and less frustrating so please talk to us. In any event you will require our approval of any site prior to signing any Offer to Lease documents.

13. Can I ‘have a go’ before I finally decide to go ahead?

‍Yes you can, in our process we have provided an opportunity for you to spend time in a company owned store before you finally decide to settle the purchase of your franchise. This work experience is unpaid and designed to give you a real insight into running a business such as ours.

14. What happens at the end of the first franchise term?

‍Provided that you have not breached your Franchise Agreement with us during the initial term, and notify us of your wish to renew at the required time, you will be able to renew your franchise for a further term. You should be aware that a number of requirements set out in the Franchise Agreement would need to be met before your franchise can be renewed. In particular, you will have to pay the legal costs of arranging the renewal. You may also have to sign a new Franchise Agreement.

15. Will I have an exclusive territory?

‍Your exclusive rights are limited to your site only however you will have a marketing zone that is allocated to your store. This will ensure that you have every opportunity to develop the goodwill surrounding your store.

16. How long is the training and when does it occur?

‍Initial training is immediately after the confirmation of settlement and it will take approximately 6 weeks. This is compulsory prior to the opening of your own business. Naturally there is training on an on-going basis, which would be provided by Maries Pizza and/or sometimes our suppliers.

17. When I open for business will I be left on my own?

‍No. There will never be a time when you are left on your own during the time you are a part of Maries Pizza because help or support is always just a phone call away. When you initially join Maries Pizza, we will spend a week working with you in your new outlet. Following that we will be in daily contact by telephone for as long as it takes for you to feel completely comfortable with your business.

18. Will I have an opportunity to contribute to the franchise network?

‍Yes, our franchise system has been designed to provide all franchisees with an equal opportunity to contribute on any matter affecting the business and really become a part of the total business activities. When we have 15 franchise owners a Franchise Council will be formed where you and the other franchisees can come together and discuss issues with the franchisor so that your concerns are heard and then dealt with in the appropriate way.

19. Will I be able to sell my business in the future?

‍Yes, the franchise is yours to sell under certain guidelines and conditions, to someone who meets our approval just as you did and then continues on with the franchise.

20. Do you have any Franchisee Testimonials?

Yes.  We do indeed-

"We needed a goal in our lives......working for someone else on wages was just not us!
Our passion was to own our own business and work together to fulfill our dream.  A dream that has now become a fantastic reality...working together and becoming successful.
As Maries Pizza franchisees, we have been absolutely delighted with the way in which the company has conducted itself with us- the business is and continues to be a great investment and is allowing us to live the dream".

Donna and Stuart
Maries Pizza Southport