A new store opportunity is a location where we plan to build a brand new store. When our extensive geographic, demographic and sales research reveals to us that a new franchise is needed in an area, we will search for a suitable location and Franchisee. A new store is a turn-key operation including initial inventory.

A Re-franchise opportunity is one where we already have an existing store and Franchisee, and the Franchisee is selling their franchise. There are many reasons why Franchisees decide to re-franchise, including retirement, divorce, illness, to liquidate the equity they have built up in the business, spouse being transferred etc.

The investment for a standard new store opportunity is approximately $350,000 - turn-key ($400,000 to $450,000 in the West). We require half of this to be unencumbered (free and clear). The investment for an M&M Meat Shop SELECT^® is $250,000 ($325,000 in the West).

The investment for a re-franchise opportunity varies with each store. The purchase price of the store can be more or less than that of a new store and is typically a multiple of the cash generated by the businessafter bills have been paid but before the repayment of debt. On top of the purchase price are other costs such as inventory, transfer fee, training fee, legal costs etc.

M&M Meat Shops currently has over 468 convenient locations across Canada.

We plan to open approximately 35 stores between 2008 and 2009. Our next stage of growth will largely focus on our M&M Meat Shops SELECT^® concept as well as expansion into the United States.

We encourage you to check the website periodically for current franchise opportunities. When you see something that interests you, we encourage you to submit an application. The application is the first step in our selection process to becoming an M&M Meat Shops Franchisee. Once you submit and pass the initial qualification process, we will keep your application on file for three years for any opportunities, new or re-franchise, that become available. If you are interested in a location that is not listed, you may fill out the short form under "Current Franchise Opportunities" in the Franchise section on the M&M website. We may contact you if a location becomes available in your area of interest.

In order to reach potential customers who may not have a store close to them, M&M Meat Shops SELECT^® is designed for communities with smaller populations. SELECT^® stores are smaller in size, carry a slightly smaller product line and have lower rent than standard size stores. With comparatively lower costs and therefore lower breakeven sales, M&M Meat Shops SELECT^® provides a strong business opportunity. The estimated total investment is approximately $250,000 ($325,000 in the West) which includes approximately $11,350 in GST that is 100% refundable.

Yes. When a new store opportunity becomes available we approach nearby Franchisees for their interest in the location, especially if their store sales will be impacted by the new store. We award new stores to Franchisees who have proven themselves to be strong operators and financially capable of purchasing another franchise. We follow the same guidelines for Franchisees who would like to acquire an existing store.

At M&M Meat Shops, we use a combination of Geographic Information System (GIS) software and market-solution software to help analyze potential markets. Utilizing this information, our GIS Analysts assess the viability of a market and the impact that the new store will have on existing stores. We also verify that a suitable location can be found.

1. Population: 25,000 for a standard store, 10,000 for an M&M Meat Shops Select store.
2. Demographics: Is there a high enough percentage of the types of people we know to be M&M customers.
3. Impact on sales of existing locations: The third and most weighted criterion is the impact on sales of existing locations. We are able to determine these two factors very accurately because our MAX loyalty program has a 97% capture rate.

No, the M&M Meat Shops Development Team in your area selects the location and negotiates the lease on your behalf.

No, M&M Meat Shops does not provide financing through the company. We do, however, have agreements with all the major money lenders. Once you are awarded a franchise, we can contact your bank if needed.

1. Finances: The first criterion is always whether an applicant has the wherewithal to purchase a location. This usually means that their net worth is at least equivalent to the purchase price of the location and that they have half of the amount in unencumbered funds. We do not allow applicants to use RRSPs. We do allow second mortgages or a line of credit on homes or businesses that have been paid for IF there is a spouse or partner that will continue with their outside employment to cover this extra debt.
2. Enthusiasm for M&M Meat Shops Products and Concept: We are looking for individuals that have tried and enjoy our products and can share that enthusiasm with others. Applicants must appreciate and understand the benefits of superior customer service.
3. Computer Skills: Applicants must be computer literate. Our Point of Sale system and ordering procedures are computer based, and a significant portion of communication takes place via Email and Intranet. While there is extensive training on our computer systems, the three weeks of training provided is not long enough to teach the necessary basic computer skills.
4. Community-minded: We look for candidates that are active in their communities as volunteers. One of M&M Meat Shops hallmarks and a contributing factor to our success has been what we as an organization and the Franchisees give back to the community.
5. People Skills: While it is advantageous for applicants to have retail experience, people skills are far more important. Being friendly, outgoing, open-minded, etc. is essential for success, while retail training can be taught to those who may need help with this particular skill.

Your success depends upon your efforts in the store, involvement in the community and financial management of the store. As these situations vary from Franchisee to Franchisee, there can be no guarantee of return. However, your success is our success, and our support team and operational systems are in place to inspire and create successful Franchisees.

Our training program involves two weeks of classroom training at Head Office in Kitchener, Ontario and one week in one of the corporate stores, either in Kitchener or at one of the Regional Offices. Field Trainers and Field Consultants will help you set up your new store and stay onsite for the week following the store opening or transfer. Moving forward you will receive ongoing support from your Field Consultant and all Head Office Departments. We are just a phone call away.

Preference will always be given to applicants who can financially pre-qualify on their own. It has been our experience that partnerships are not the best way to run an M&M Meat Shops. When completing the CQR, please be clear on the details of your intended partnership (e.g. Silent partner, active partner, financial partner, and terms of repayment) and we will review the details.

There is an element of risk in every business. There can be no guarantee on your investment; it is important for you to research the history of the company.

The CQR is the first step in applying for an M&M Meat Shops franchise. We use this information first and foremost to financially pre-qualify candidates. Therefore, it is very important to fill out the form accurately and completely. Our goal is to match the best candidate to each M&M Meat Shops opportunity. Therefore, the more we know about you, the better we can assure that we are the right fit for you and vice versa.

We strongly recommend candidates speak to M&M Meat Shops Franchisees. This will give you first hand information from people who are involved daily in our store operations. Our website is also an excellent source of information, providing you with a break-down of new store costs and general information about our business.

The M&M Meat Shops Information Seminars are usually held in the Greater Toronto Area after the Canadian Franchise Association's Franchise Show in February and October. We also hold Recruitment Seminars in those communities where we are actively looking for Franchisees but have few or no applications on file. All our seminars are posted on our website and you are encouraged to check periodically.

Franchisees can re-franchise their location through M&M Meat Shops and these are the locations listed on our website. Franchisees also have the option of finding their own purchaser subject to M&M Meat Shops approval. The first step is always becoming pre-qualified financially by submitting a Confidential Qualification Report. The business is purchased from the Franchisee with the review and approval of M&M Meat Shops and the legal representatives retained by both parties.

There is no waiting list. A new opportunity is offered to the best candidate for a location whether their application has been on file for two months or two years.

New opportunities are always offered to existing Franchisees first, particularly those within a half hour commute and/or if the new location impacts the sales of their existing location. If they decline, opportunities are offered to new applicants. While this policy may be disappointing to new applicants trying to get a franchise, you can understand that it is appreciated by our current Franchisees. We award new stores to existing Franchisees who have proven themselves to be strong operators and financially capable of purchasing another franchise. We follow the same guidelines for Franchisees who would like to acquire an existing store through a Re-franchise opportunity.

When offering new opportunities to applicants, we will first review those who are pre-qualified financially and have made us aware of their ongoing interest. Therefore, it is important to check the website periodically and to keep in touch with us if we have indicated that we are keeping your application on file. All available opportunities are posted on our website. If something is of interest to you, we encourage you to complete the Confidential Qualification Report and submit it as soon as possible.

The first step to becoming a Franchisee is to complete our Confidential Qualification Report (CQR). This application can be downloaded from our website, printed and completed and sent to us by fax or mail. In order to be considered for an available location, you must complete the Confidential Qualification Report.
If you are interested in a location that is not currently available, you may complete the electronic Expression of Interest form located on the website. Your information will be kept on file and we may contact you if that location becomes available. However, you are always encouraged to check the website for current available locations. If you see something that interests you please fill out the Confidential Qualification Report.

Your success is the result of your efforts in the store, involvement in the community and financial management of the store. As these situations vary from Franchisee to Franchisee, there can be no guarantee of return. However, your success is our success and our support team and operational systems exist to inspire and create successful franchisees. Franchise law in many provinces prohibits franchisors from making earnings claims without full and proper disclosure. Once you have submitted an application and passed the preliminary selection process, you will receive an abundance of financial information with which to make an informed business decision.