Ice Delights Case Study

Ice Delights Case Study

1. Evaluate the “Deal” as it is presented in the case

As outlined below, ICEDELIGHTS is willing to provide an acceptable option to the franchisees due to their inability to commit to the venture immediately. The revisions to the deal allow the franchisees flexibility in their timeline for raising capital and financing the deal. Regardless of the timeline, the situation presents a concern with the franchisees ability to raise the amount of capital required to open their first three stores in a timely manner.

• ICEDELIGHTS did not want to be legally bound to the Florida franchise because they felt they might not have sufficient resources to accommodate the franchisees.

• A deal was proposed that would provide the franchisee and franchisor security

o Pay $200,000 up front for development fees and franchise fees for the first five stores

o Pay $20,000 per store opened after the first five stores

o Pay a 5% royalty on sales

• ICEDELIGHTS would then allow the franchisees to use their brand name and product, would train the franchisees and one manager per store, and would provide support for finding locations and construction of the stores.

• The deal would come with an option because of ICEDELIGHTS inability to commit to the Florida franchise up front

o The franchisees would make a deposit of $75,000 up front

o The remaining $125,000 up front charge would not be owed until ICEDELIGHTS provided one acceptable location and the lease was signed

o The franchisee would have the opportunity to build a production facility if ICEDELIGHTS was unable to provide the product to the new stores

• The franchisees have two weeks to make a decision on the deal

• Compared to other franchise opportunities, ICEDELIGHTS seemed expensive for an unproven concept

• The profitability of the concept appeared to be very enticing to the franchisees

• The franchisees would have to raise approximately $750,000 of outside financing to fund the venture

2. Evaluate the positive and negative features of the business opportunity

Positive features:

• Provides the potential entrepreneurs a business opportunity in a timely manner

o They would be involved in the franchise before they had a lot to lose

• Franchisees believe that they have the skill set to run a food franchise

o The idea also seemed fun and financially rewarding

• The management team at ICEDELIGHTS impressed the franchisees

• The product, systems, and management were standardized by the franchisor

• The franchisees could leverage the ICEDELIGHTS brand, product, training capabilities, and real estate experience once ICEDELIGHTS could provide the support

• Franchisees could obtain rights to the entire state of Florida

Negative features:

• The franchise was new and not yet proven in the industry or the potential market