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Artees Sweets

Franchise FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

The questions that most affect the decision to apply. View All Questions (160) ↓

The Opportunity

What is Artees, and what is Artees Sweets?

Artees Corporation develops exceptional food and the methods to produce it consistently. Artees Sweets is its first franchise business and a separately incorporated subsidiary. It franchises stores under an exclusive long-term license from Artees Corporation, which owns the intellectual property.

All Questions: 1

What makes Artees Sweets different from a conventional food chain or sweet shop?

Ingredients are procured locally, every product is made in the store, and the trained owner holds the complete formulations and runs the business. Exceptional products can attract customers who seek out the store, while owner operation, reduced skilled-labor dependence and suitable off-prime locations can help keep prices affordable.

All Questions: 6 · 13

What does “without hiring a chef” mean, and do I need culinary experience?

You need neither culinary experience nor a chef or professional sweet maker. Artees Sweets trains and certifies you to produce the products using defined methods and controls. You must demonstrate that you can meet the required standards. The work still requires practice, skill and attention.

All Questions: 11 · 41

Have any Artees Sweets stores opened yet?

No. The first stores will be franchisee-owned. Opening dates depend on franchisee qualification, site approval, financing and opening preparation. Once stores open, prospects will be able to speak with operating owners.

All Questions: 51 · 65

Why is there no company-owned pilot store?

A company-owned pilot would require an employee to hold restricted formulations and owner-only production knowledge. The Artees Sweets model places that knowledge with the owner who runs the store. Product validation, prospect evaluations and owner training take place at the Artees Sweets office in Dhaka.

All Questions: 47

Owner Suitability and Daily Involvement

Is this a passive investment, or can I hire a manager or keep another job?

The model requires active ownership. You must run the store daily and cannot delegate that responsibility to a hired manager. Supervisors may assist but do not receive restricted production knowledge. Required attendance during production and peak hours is not compatible with another full-time job or active business.

All Questions: 27 · 32 · 36

How much must the owner be in the store, and must the owner live nearby?

The owner must live in the same city and be present daily during production and peak hours, except during approved temporary absences. After opening, the owner completes a 90-day in-store operational ramp with Artees Sweets support.

All Questions: 35 · 37

What happens during a temporary absence?

With permission, an owner may be absent for up to three days, with required production completed beforehand under freshness and storage rules. For longer approved absences, Artees Sweets arranges product supply. Employees continue their assigned duties without receiving formulations or owner-only procedures.

All Questions: 38

Can one owner run more than one store, or can partners own one together?

One owner cannot operate multiple stores because the owner must work in and lead the store. Spouses or business partners may operate one together. Each person acting as an owner-operator and holding restricted production knowledge must pass owner certification.

All Questions: 33 · 34

Who is suited to the role, and who is not?

Someone willing to learn production, follow defined methods, maintain quality records, lead employees and serve customers. The role suits people who want to build a reputation through their products and daily work. It does not suit passive investors or owners who want to delegate operation or change products independently.

All Questions: 40 · 160

Product Evaluation, Training and Certification

What does the three-session product evaluation involve?

The same group of two to five people, including you, attends three approximately 90-minute sessions on Day 1, Day 8 and Day 15. You evaluate separately prepared batches of the same five products: three Core, one Gateway and one Global Classic. You assess taste, texture, presentation and consistency across the three batches. Participation is free and involves tasting, not production. Take-home purchases are charged separately.

All Questions: 57 · 58 · 59 · 64

What training does Artees Sweets provide, and where?

Owner training lasts 28 days, approximately 224 hours, at the Artees Sweets office in Dhaka. It covers procurement, production, quality controls, service, store management and food safety through demonstration, supervised practice and assessment. Training is included in the franchise fee; the franchisee pays for travel and related expenses.

All Questions: 114 · 115

What must I demonstrate to become certified?

You must correctly perform the production and operating cycle under observation. Certification has three gates: Certified for Opening, Independent Operation and Owner-Level Decision Authority. The opening gate must be passed before opening; the others are assessed during the operational ramp. Owners who do not pass are retrained and retested.

All Questions: 116 · 117

What knowledge does the owner receive, and what do employees receive?

The owner receives complete formulations and operating procedures, including owner-only procedures. Proprietary development history and the science behind the formulations are not disclosed. Employees learn assigned tasks and work from ingredients prepared by the owner; they do not receive formulations or owner-only procedures.

All Questions: 29 · 30

Investment, Fees and Financing

What is the estimated total initial investment?

Category A: Tk ____–Tk ____. Category B: Tk ____–Tk ____. Category C: Tk ____–Tk ____.

The estimates include the initial franchise fee, build-out, equipment, launch marketing, pre-opening costs and working capital. Actual costs vary by site and format. The Dhaka reference assumes existing food-service premises.

All Questions: 93 · 94 · 100

What are the franchise fee and the royalty?

The initial franchise fee is Tk ____, paid in full at signing. It includes owner training and is nonrefundable. The continuing royalty is ____% of gross sales, withdrawn automatically each day.

All Questions: 95 · 96 · 97

What other fees apply?

The transfer fee is Tk ____, and the renewal fee is Tk ____ at the end of the 10-year term. There is no technology fee paid to Artees Sweets; required third-party technology vendors are paid directly. The one-time launch-marketing payment is explained in Question 27.

All Questions: 99

How much capital do I need, and does Artees Sweets provide financing?

You must demonstrate sufficient personal equity and financing for the approved store. Artees Sweets does not lend or guarantee loans. The Category A reference assumes Tk ____ of owner equity toward a Tk ____ project, with the balance financed. This is a planning assumption; actual equity requirements and loan approval depend on the lender.

All Questions: 102 · 103

What sales, operating costs and profits can a store expect?

To be added.

All Questions: 106 · 107 · 108 · 111

Who sets retail prices?

Artees Sweets sets retail prices. The reference model uses Tk ____–Tk ____ per kilogram for box formats and Tk ____–Tk ____ per 100 ml for portion formats.

All Questions: 26

Locations and Territories

Which markets come first?

Dhaka city first, starting with Gulshan, Banani, Mirpur, Bashundhara R/A, Dhanmondi and Uttara, followed by nearby areas as franchisee readiness, support capacity and site feasibility allow.

All Questions: 66

Who finds the site, and how is it approved?

You find and lease the site, with Artees Sweets’ guidance. Approval requires a feasibility study and an independent site evaluation at your expense. Artees Sweets assesses market, physical and operating suitability. Any lease signed before approval should be conditional on that approval.

All Questions: 73 · 77 · 78

Do I receive a protected territory?

Yes. Each approved location is allocated to one franchisee for one store, with a protected trade area based on one store per 100,000 people. Exact boundaries and reserved rights are stated in the franchise agreement.

All Questions: 80

Local Production, Procurement and Employees

Where do ingredients come from, and how is equipment obtained?

Ingredients are purchased locally from approved suppliers. You pay for the required equipment, appliances, instruments and accessories specified by Artees Sweets. Most equipment is shipped by distributors; some items are supplied by Artees Sweets. Ordinary daily production does not depend on centrally supplied finished products.

All Questions: 123 · 124 · 125

Who hires and trains the employees, and how many are needed?

You hire, pay, schedule, supervise and train employees under Artees Sweets standards. Artees Sweets trains the owner; the owner trains employees. Staffing typically comprises 6–7 employees for Category A, 4–5 for B and 3–4 for C, in addition to the owner. Employee training begins approximately three weeks before opening.

All Questions: 31 · 119 · 120

Marketing, Support and the Franchise Process

What support does Artees Sweets provide before and after opening?

Before opening: site guidance, store design, equipment specifications, owner training, quality tools and launch support. One representative provides up to three working days of on-site opening support, followed by a 90-day operational ramp. Continuing support includes reporting, quality reviews, audits, corrective action, retraining and vendor coordination. Specific commitments are detailed in the franchise agreement.

All Questions: 131 · 132 · 133

How will a new store be marketed?

A Tk ____ launch campaign includes brand materials, local launch support and product tastings. The payment is due 30 days before opening and is included in the initial investment estimate. There is no ongoing marketing fund; system-level marketing is funded from royalties. Owners may conduct local marketing within brand guidelines.

All Questions: 98 · 139 · 140

What is the process from application to opening?

You may request an evaluation first or submit an application. Artees Sweets reviews suitability, may require a nondisclosure agreement, and arranges evaluation, review of the franchise agreement and site assessment. Completed evaluations are not repeated. If both sides proceed, the agreement is signed and the fee paid, followed by financing, training and opening preparation.

All Questions: 151 · 152 · 153

How long does it take to open a store?

The reference schedule is approximately 26 weeks, covering qualification, agreement steps and opening preparation. Design, permits and build-out account for approximately 19 weeks, with training overlapping the final construction period. Actual timing depends on site approval, financing, permits, construction and certification.

All Questions: 91

Risks and What to Review

Read: Risks and How Artees Sweets Addresses Them →

What are the main risks, and how does local production affect them?

Risks include insufficient demand, higher costs, staffing and supply problems, equipment failure and inconsistent quality. Local procurement, in-store production and owner-held knowledge reduce dependence on Artees Sweets for daily production. Marketing and support commitments still require assessment.

All Questions: 141 · 142

What should I review before committing?

Assess local demand, the site, investment, operating costs, ownership responsibilities and support commitments. Product evaluation does not establish sales or profitability. Review the franchise agreement and financing with independent advisors. You receive the franchise agreement before signing, with time to review it.

All Questions: 50 · 155 · 156 · 157

View All Questions (160) ↓

All Questions

1The business and its food

1What is Artees?

Artees Corporation develops food products, locked formulations and the production systems needed to make them consistently in owner-operated stores. Artees Sweets is its first franchise business. It is a separately incorporated subsidiary that franchises Artees Sweets stores under an exclusive long-term license from Artees Corporation, which owns the intellectual property.

2Is Artees only a sweets business?

No. Artees Corporation has developed 319 products across ten food domains. Artees Sweets is the first domain offered as a franchise. Artees Chill’n Cream and Artees CakeLab are launch ready; the business structures for the other seven domains are still in development.

3Why is Artees Sweets the first franchise business?

Sweets have an established customer base in Bangladesh. Families buy them for home, guests, gifts and occasions, and companies buy them for Eid, weddings, birthdays, office events and visits. Many households are looking for better quality and consistency, which gives Artees Sweets an identifiable starting market. Gateway products and Global Classics extend the brand to younger customers who buy both traditional sweets and modern desserts, and to customers who want a change from traditional sweets.

4What problem is Artees trying to solve?

Exceptional food often depends on the skill and judgment of particular people. Chef-led shops can reach a high standard but struggle to reproduce it across teams and locations. Chains can expand while giving less attention to exceptional food. Artees develops each product against a strong comparable product in the market, then documents how to reproduce it so a trained owner can maintain its standard.

5Is Artees mainly a collection of recipes?

No. A formulation is only one part of production. Ingredient specifications, equipment, sequence, timing, temperatures, handling, measurement points, corrective actions and training all affect the result.

6What makes Artees different from a conventional food chain or sweet shop?

Each Artees store procures its ingredients locally and makes every product on site. The trained owner receives the complete formulations and operating procedures needed to do so and runs the store directly. Artees does not keep part of production in a central kitchen or supply finished components as its ordinary store-production model.

7If a top chef can make exceptional sweets, why choose Artees?

Creating exceptional sweets and teaching others to reproduce them are different tasks. Artees develops the formulations, ingredient specifications, production controls and training that let an owner without a chef background make the approved products consistently. The owner receives a defined production method rather than depending on a hired sweet maker’s personal judgment. A top chef can make exceptional food. Why Artees?

8Can industrial producers also make exceptional food?

Yes. Leading food manufacturers can produce exceptional food with precise controls and quality assurance. Artees takes a different approach: it transfers production capability to individual stores rather than routinely distributing finished products from a central facility. Each store makes products locally, and production capacity grows as locations open. Leading food manufacturers can produce exceptional food. Why Artees?

9Does consistent production mean the food is exceptional?

No. Consistency means the same result is reproduced; it does not establish how good that result is. Artees evaluates product quality through benchmarking and blind tasting, then defines the formulations and production controls needed to reproduce the approved result. Leading food manufacturers can produce exceptional food. Why Artees?

10Is the food handmade or industrially produced?

The food is made in each store by people using defined methods and an all-electric equipment package. Some steps are automated, while employees prepare, operate, monitor and check the work. Category A has five automated steps, Category B three and Category C two.

11What does “without hiring a chef” mean?

The owner does not need to hire a chef or professional sweet maker to create or maintain the products. Artees Sweets trains and certifies the owner to make them through its system. The work still requires skill, practice and attention.

12Does a defined production system remove craftsmanship?

No. The decisions that shape the food are developed into the formulation and process. The owner learns to carry out the methods, judge the result and correct deviations. People make the food; the system defines its standard.

13How can Artees aim for exceptional food at affordable prices?

The model reduces costs around the food: no chef, no hired management layer, a simple store design and suitable locations that need not depend entirely on prime-street foot traffic. Affordable prices take more discipline, not less: procurement, yield, portioning, waste and batch planning are controlled so costs stay down without lowering quality. A store must still cover its actual costs.

14Does the concept depend on a short-lived trend?

The starting products serve an established category tied to household, gifting, festival and celebration occasions. The performance of any individual store still depends on its market, location, prices and execution.

2Products and customers

15How many products has Artees Sweets developed?

Forty across eight categories: syrup-based (5), malai-based (4), fried sweets (6), halwa (3), pitha (5), yogurt (5), Gateway variants (6) and Global Classics (6). Products enter the franchise menu only when they can be formulated, measured, taught, supervised and reproduced within defined limits. Each store starts with 20 sweets and increases the number depending on its progress.

16What are Core products?

Traditional sweets that establish the brand and serve customers already familiar with the category, such as Rosgolla, Chomchom, Rasmalai, Gulab Jamun, Jalebi, Kheer, Halwa, Sweet Yogurt and Pitha.

17What are Gateway products?

A fusion of traditional and Western desserts, using selected formats, textures and presentations to introduce customers to the category, such as Velvety Rasmalai, Satin Sweet Yogurt, Crepe Pitha, Custard Puli and Silky Payesh.

18What are Global Classics?

Widely recognized desserts that give other customers a familiar way into the brand: Tiramisu, Cheesecake, Chocolate Mousse, Crème Brûlée, Panna Cotta and Tres Leches.

19Why offer all three groups?

Core products serve existing demand. Gateway products broaden the audience across generations and related food cultures. Global Classics reach customers looking for familiar desserts, within the same Artees Sweets brand.

20Who are the initial target customers?

Starting in Dhaka city, in Gulshan, Banani, Mirpur, Bashundhara R/A, Dhanmondi and Uttara:

  • Families buying sweets for home, guests, gifts and occasions.
  • Households looking for better quality and consistency.
  • Younger customers who buy both traditional sweets and modern desserts.
  • Corporate and gifting customers for Eid, weddings, birthdays, office events and visits.
21Is demand limited to traditional sweets customers or festivals?

No. Everyday purchases, hospitality and gifting create other occasions, while Gateway products and Global Classics reach customers outside the traditional category.

22Can the owner create local flavors or change formulations?

No. The owner must use approved products and locked formulations. New flavors or changes go through Artees product development and approval.

23Can the owner change the menu or stop selling a product?

The store operates within its approved product assortment. Any change must follow Artees Sweets’ approval rules and account for demand, capacity and quality control.

24Why control the number of products?

Every product adds ingredients, training, production work and checks. The range must remain manageable enough for the store to make every product well.

25Can the store offer catering, delivery, online ordering or wholesale sales?

The store may offer catering, delivery and online ordering under Artees Sweets’ operating and brand rules. Wholesale sales are not part of the stated store offering.

26Who sets retail prices?

Artees Sweets sets retail prices. The reference model uses Tk ____–Tk ____ per kilogram for box formats and Tk ____–Tk ____ per 100 ml for portion formats.

3The owner-operated model

27Is an Artees Sweets franchise a passive investment?

No. The model is not designed for passive or semi-absentee ownership. The owner is the store’s daily operator.

28Why must the owner work in the store?

The owner holds the complete formulations and owner-only procedures, which are applied in daily production. The owner leads the employees and is accountable for the food.

29What knowledge does the owner receive?

The complete product formulations and standard operating procedures needed to run the store, including the procedures reserved for the owner. The owner is not given the development history, the science behind the formulations or the reasons they were designed as they are.

30Do employees receive the formulations or owner-only procedures?

No. Employees learn their assigned tasks and work from ingredients the owner has prepared. They do not know ingredient weights and, in some cases, do not know the names of certain ingredients or premixes.

31Who trains store employees?

Artees Sweets trains and certifies the owner. The owner then trains the store’s employees for their assigned work. Artees Sweets does not train store employees.

32Can the owner hire a manager and step away?

No. The owner may have supervisors on the team, but they do not receive the formulations or owner-only procedures. The owner may not hand the running of the store to a hired manager.

33Can one owner operate more than one Artees store?

No. Each store has its own owner-operator because the person holding the complete production knowledge must work in and lead that store.

34Can spouses or business partners own and operate a store together?

Yes. Each person who will act as an owner-operator and hold the restricted production knowledge must complete and pass the owner certification program.

35How many hours or days must the owner work in the store?

The owner must be present on site daily during production and peak hours, subject to the approved temporary-absence procedure. After opening, the owner completes a 90-day in-store operational ramp with Artees Sweets support.

36Can the owner keep another full-time job or active business?

No. Daily presence during production and peak hours is not compatible with another full-time commitment.

37Must the owner live near the store?

Yes. The stated requirement is that the owner live in the same city as the store and be able to meet the daily attendance requirements.

38What happens during a temporary absence?

With Artees Sweets’ permission, an owner may be away for up to three days. Production needed for those days is completed before the owner leaves, under the applicable storage, freshness and handling rules. Employees carry out their assigned service and operating tasks without receiving the formulations or owner-only procedures.

For an approved absence of more than three days, Artees Sweets supplies the sweets either from the Artees Sweets office in Dhaka or through one or more nearby franchise stores. The employee in charge informs Artees Sweets of problems or deviations. That employee takes corrective measures only within the authority Artees Sweets has delegated. The absence does not give the employee access to owner-only production knowledge.

39What happens if an owner becomes unable to operate for an extended period, dies or retires?

The store cannot continue indefinitely without a certified owner-operator. Artees Sweets and the owner, or the owner’s successors, will work through an orderly transfer to a qualified person who completes certification. During that process, Artees Sweets may arrange temporary product supply or limit operations to protect food quality and the system’s intellectual property.

A transfer must also protect the owner’s or successors’ financial interest. Its proceeds, outstanding obligations, approval requirements and timing are governed by the franchise agreement. Artees Sweets will not place the restricted production knowledge with an uncertified hired manager simply to keep the store operating.

40What kind of person is suited to the role?

Someone with a builder’s mindset who is comfortable with defined processes and connected to the community: willing to learn practical production, follow methods, keep quality records, lead employees, serve customers and take responsibility when the food falls short of the standard.

41Does the owner need culinary experience?

No. Artees Sweets trains and certifies the owner. The owner must demonstrate the ability to perform the work to standard.

42How can I assess whether I could make these products without a chef background?

The Rasmalai process page shows how each of its 16 steps relies on defined procedures and measurable controls rather than skilled judgment. Artees Sweets trains and certifies the franchise owner, who receives the complete formulations and production procedures and then trains the employees. The tasting sessions assess the products; owner training and certification establish whether you can follow the system and reproduce them to the required standard.

43Why is Artees Sweets selective about applicants?

The owner receives protected production knowledge and bears direct responsibility for quality. Having the investment funds alone is not enough. Owner suitability and Artees’ capacity to support each store determine growth.

4Why there is no company store or pilot

44Why does Artees franchise stores instead of operating its own?

Each store procures its ingredients locally and makes its products on site, so the person running daily production must hold the complete formulations and owner-only procedures. In an Artees store, that person is the trained franchise owner. A company store would require Artees to hand that knowledge to a hired manager.

45Why is protecting Artees’ knowledge especially important?

Artees does not keep any part of ordinary store production in a central kitchen or supply finished components to its stores. The owner in each store receives the complete production knowledge needed to make the products locally. That makes careful control of who receives it essential.

46Why is food quality the second reason for requiring the owner?

The owner who holds the complete method also works in the store and is directly accountable for its execution. A company store run by a hired manager would depend on an employee to protect the standard day after day.

47Why does Artees not open a pilot store?

A pilot would be a company-owned store and would face the same problem: someone other than an owner would have to hold the formulations. Artees Sweets instead carries out product validation, limited pre-launch sales, prospect evaluations and owner training at the Artees Sweets office in Dhaka. Restricted production knowledge remains under Artees’ control there. The first retail location will be franchisee-owned.

48Why does the founder not operate a pilot store personally?

The founder runs the franchisor: product development, owner training and certification, and franchisee support. He cannot also be the daily operator of one store. Without him there each day, a pilot would require a hired manager.

49What does Artees offer a prospect instead of a pilot store?

A three-session product evaluation, so qualified prospective owners can assess the food themselves before deciding whether to proceed.

50Does the evaluation prove how a store will perform financially?

No. The product evaluation does not establish sales, profitability or the quality of future support. You should also assess local demand, the proposed site, investment and operating costs, your responsibilities and Artees Sweets’ support commitments. Review the proposed franchise agreement with your advisors before deciding.

51Have any Artees Sweets franchise stores opened yet?

No. No Artees Sweets store is open yet. The first stores will be franchisee-owned. Opening dates depend on franchisee qualification, site approval, financing and opening preparation.

5Product development and evaluation

52How has Artees developed and assessed its products internally?

Over approximately six years, through formulation, ingredient and equipment evaluation, process testing, blind comparisons and documentation. Internal testing recorded 192 observations across 16 panels. The internal approval standard requires a product to score at least 8.4 out of 10 and outperform the strongest comparable market product.

53Why use blind product comparisons?

Brand-masked, coded samples let participants judge the food without brand names influencing the result.

54Will the products also be tested independently?

Yes. Before public sales and prospect evaluations begin, selected launch products will undergo independent third-party blind testing against strong market benchmarks. Each must score at least 8.4 out of 10 and outperform the strongest comparable product. This is separate from the internal validation described above.

55What does a successful blind comparison establish?

It records how the products were judged under the conditions tested. It does not establish future sales, repeat purchasing or acceptance in every market.

56Can the public buy Artees Sweets products before stores open?

Yes, in limited quantities once the pre-launch sales program begins. Before prospect evaluations begin, Artees Sweets plans to offer selected products to the public at stated retail prices to gather reviews, feedback on price and repeat-purchase information.

57Who can take part in the three-session prospect evaluation?

Two to five people from the prospective franchisee’s group. The proposed owner-operator must attend all three sessions, and the same group attends each one.

58What can I judge through the three-session product evaluation?

You can judge whether you consider the sweets exceptional in taste, texture and presentation, and whether that quality remains consistent across separately prepared batches. The same five products are evaluated by the same group over three sessions, giving you repeated experience rather than a single tasting.

59What products and schedule does the evaluation use?

The same five products at each session: three Core, one Gateway and one Global Classic, tasted one at a time. Sessions take place on Day 1, Day 8 and Day 15, each with a separately produced batch.

60Who makes the products during the evaluation?

One designated Artees Sweets production employee makes all three batches, working from ingredients prepared in advance and without access to the formulations. Participants evaluate the food and do not take part in production.

61Why are scores recorded before group discussion?

Private scoring preserves each participant’s own judgment before others influence the discussion.

62What does each session test?

Session 1 assesses quality, benchmark performance, price-value and purchase interest. Session 2 tests whether the same quality is reproduced in a separate batch. Session 3 tests whether it holds consistently across all three.

63Can participants take products home?

Yes. After each session, participants may buy the products they tasted and share them with family, friends, business partners and financial advisors. That feedback is recorded separately because conditions outside the session are not controlled.

64Is there a fee for the evaluation?

No. Products taken home are purchased at stated prices.

65Can a prospect speak with existing franchise owners?

Not yet. No Artees Sweets store is open. Once stores open, prospects will be able to speak with operating owners.

6Market, site and territory

66What markets is Artees Sweets seeking first?

Dhaka city first, starting with Gulshan, Banani, Mirpur, Bashundhara R/A, Dhanmondi and Uttara, followed by nearby areas as franchisees, support capacity and site feasibility allow.

67How does Artees assess potential demand?

From the trade area and its likely customers, rather than foot traffic alone. The reference model uses an average order value of about Tk ____ and a weighted purchase frequency of about 4.5 times per year across four customer segments. A relevant population is a starting point, not an assumption that everyone will buy.

68Why consider different customer groups separately?

They buy at different rates in the reference model: habitual customers about 24 times a year, moderate customers about 12, adoption and affinity customers about 6, and mainstream customers about 2. Estimates must reflect the expected mix rather than apply one buying pattern to everyone.

69What does Artees mean by demand recapture?

Re-engaging customers who have reduced their purchases because of inconsistent products, limited selection or disappointing retail experiences. It is a hypothesis to test in each market, not a guaranteed source of sales.

70Why is foot traffic alone insufficient?

Passing people may have little interest in the products. Relevant demand, access, rent and operating suitability matter more than a high pedestrian count by itself.

71Why could an Artees Sweets store become a destination store?

Products that customers consider exceptional can give them a reason to seek out a store, return and recommend it to others. The evaluation lets you judge whether the products have that potential. Actual demand must still be assessed in the proposed market; your group’s preference alone does not establish it. What makes a sweet shop worth seeking out?

72Can an off-prime location work?

Yes, where access, destination demand, delivery feasibility and visibility allow occupancy savings without making the site unsuitable. Product quality does not remove the need for an appropriate location, and every site requires approval.

73Who finds and proposes a site?

The franchisee finds and leases the site. Artees Sweets provides site-selection guidance and gives final site approval based on the full feasibility assessment.

74What must a proposed site provide?

Suitable production and retail space for the approved format, code-compliant ventilation and HVAC, food-grade drainage, sufficient electrical capacity for the all-electric kitchen, zoning for food-service use, street frontage and an efficient delivery path.

75Why check mechanical, electrical, plumbing, drainage and ventilation before committing?

The equipment and processes depend on them. A deficiency may be expensive to correct or may make the site unsuitable.

76Can an existing food-service location reduce opening costs?

Yes. An existing restaurant space may have useful infrastructure, restroom and utility capacity, reducing some build-out work and approval risk. It still has to meet Artees’ production, layout, demand and cost requirements.

77How is a site approved?

Final approval requires a feasibility study and an independent site evaluation paid for by the franchisee. Artees Sweets then decides whether the proposed site meets its market, physical and operating requirements.

78Can the owner sign a lease before the site is approved?

Only if the lease is conditional on Artees Sweets’ site approval and the other approvals needed to use the premises for the proposed store. The franchisee should not become unconditionally obligated for a site that Artees Sweets may reject.

79Who signs the lease and pays the rent?

The franchisee signs the lease and is responsible for the rent.

80Does the owner receive an exclusive territory?

Yes. Each approved location is allocated to one franchisee for one store, with a protected trade area based on one store per 100,000 people. The exact boundary and any reserved rights are set during site approval and stated in the franchise agreement.

81How is a territory defined?

By assessed customer demand and the area the store can realistically serve. The exact boundary and rights are set out in the franchise agreement.

7Store formats and development

82What store formats are available?

Category A: 1,500 square feet; designed capacity 200 kg/day; 10 production stations; five automated steps; typically 6–7 employees in addition to the owner; estimated investment Tk ____–Tk ____.

Category B: 1,200 square feet; designed capacity 150 kg/day; eight production stations; three automated steps; typically 4–5 employees in addition to the owner; estimated investment Tk ____–Tk ____.

Category C: 1,000 square feet; designed capacity 100 kg/day; six production stations; two automated steps; typically 3–4 employees in addition to the owner; estimated investment Tk ____–Tk ____.

83Why are designed capacity and expected sales different?

Capacity is how much the store is designed to make under defined conditions. Sales depend on customers buying. The Category A reference model assumes 54.17% utilization in the opening year, rising to 78.33% by Year 6. The model’s revenue also depends on the mix and selling prices of products, not only kilograms produced.

84How is the store format selected?

Expected demand, the available site, production requirements and total costs must support the format. A larger store is not automatically better.

85Does a simple build-out mean a basic-looking store?

No. The store is designed to be simple, not basic: clean, purposeful and professionally maintained, with investment concentrated on the product, production, display and service rather than elaborate décor. A simpler store places more responsibility on the operating system behind the counter. What makes a sweet shop worth seeking out?

86Why is the store divided into production stations?

The layout gives each task a place and sequence, supports safe handling and reduces delays that could affect the food.

87Why all-electric?

The production system uses electric and electromagnetic (induction) equipment so heat, timing and other operating variables can be specified and controlled. It also supports a cleaner, safer and more controllable production environment. Products that require frying are still fried using the approved electric equipment.

88Who designs the store and specifies equipment?

Artees Sweets provides the standardized store design, layout, workflow, mechanical, electrical and plumbing specifications, and approved equipment specifications. The franchisee funds and completes the build-out.

89Who obtains permits and licenses?

The franchisee, with guidance from Artees Sweets. The reference build-out estimate includes an allowance for permit costs.

90Who pays for construction changes, delays and cost overruns?

The franchisee. The Category A estimate includes a build-out contingency, but site condition and local requirements can affect the final cost.

91How long does it take from signing to opening?

The reference schedule is about 26 weeks, assuming a suitable site and timely permits. It allows approximately 19 weeks for design, permits and build-out after the early qualification and agreement steps, with owner training overlapping the final part of construction. Pre-launch preparation follows, then a soft opening and launch. Actual timing depends on disclosure, site approval, financing, permitting, construction and certification.

92Can the owner decide production quantities freely?

The owner plans batches around demand while following capacity, freshness, holding and quality rules. Too much production creates waste; too little loses sales.

8Investment, fees and financial performance

93What is the estimated total initial investment?

Category A: Tk ____–Tk ____. Category B: Tk ____–Tk ____. Category C: Tk ____–Tk ____.

94What is included in the Category A estimate?

The Dhaka reference total of Tk ____ for an existing food-service space comprises:

  • Initial franchise fee: Tk ____
  • Launch-marketing budget: Tk ____
  • Other start-up costs, including formation, lease deposit and first month’s rent, insurance, loan fees, technology and security: Tk ____
  • Leasehold improvements and build-out: Tk ____
  • Equipment, instruments and furniture: Tk ____
  • Pre-opening costs, including recruitment, training travel, wages, test production and initial inventory: Tk ____
  • Operating and working capital: Tk ____

These amounts total Tk ____. The launch budget and required startup equipment and toolkit are components of the stated investment, not amounts to add a second time.

95How much is the initial franchise fee?

Tk ____, paid in full at signing. It includes owner training.

96Is the franchise fee refundable?

No. It is nonrefundable.

97What is the continuing royalty?

____% of gross sales, withdrawn automatically each day.

98Is there a marketing fund?

There is no ongoing marketing fund. The franchisee pays a one-time Tk ____ launch-marketing budget 30 days before opening. It is spent from 15 days before to 15 days after opening, and Artees Sweets provides a spending report. System-level marketing is funded from the royalty.

99What other fees apply?

The transfer fee is Tk ____. The renewal fee is Tk ____ at the end of the 10-year term. There is no technology fee paid to Artees Sweets; the franchisee pays required third-party technology vendors directly.

100Why can the actual opening cost differ from the estimate?

Format, site condition, utility work, local construction costs, rent and opening cash needs vary. The estimate is a range, not a cap.

101How much working capital is included?

Tk ____ in the Category A estimate, covering register cash, a two-month operating reserve and an additional opening cash reserve. The owner should assess whether a particular site needs more.

102How much capital must an applicant have?

The Category A reference financing case assumes Tk ____ of owner equity from personal funds, about ____% of the Tk ____ project cost, with the balance financed. That is a model assumption. An applicant must demonstrate the equity and financing required for the approved store; lender requirements may differ.

103Does Artees provide financing or guarantee a loan?

No. Artees Sweets does not lend or guarantee loans. The Category A reference case assumes a Tk ____ loan at ____% fixed over 10 years with a six-month moratorium. Actual loan terms and approval depend on the lender, which may require a personal guarantee.

104What prices are planned?

Tk ____–Tk ____ per kilogram for box formats and Tk ____–Tk ____ per 100 ml for portion formats.

105What is the expected cost of ingredients and packaging?

To be added.

106What sales can a Category A store expect?

To be added.

107What are the expected operating costs?

To be added.

108Does a strong gross margin mean a profitable store?

To be added.

109How is the owner paid?

The owner’s working wage is included in labor costs before EBITDA. The reference model separately assumes Tk ____ a year of owner distributions while servicing the loan. A distribution is a withdrawal of available cash, not an additional operating expense or a second component of accounting net income.

110How long might it take to recover the investment?

To be added.

111What is the break-even point?

To be added.

112How sensitive is the store to sales?

To be added.

113Why does the owner need cash beyond construction and equipment?

To be added.

9Training, staff and daily production

114What training does Artees Sweets provide the owner?

Twenty-eight days of owner training, eight hours a day, or about 224 hours. It covers sourcing and intake, production foundations, production control, service, store management and food safety. Training uses demonstration, supervised execution, measured repetition, written assessment and observed full-cycle performance.

115Where does training take place, and who pays for travel?

At the Artees Sweets office in Dhaka. Training is included in the franchise fee. The franchisee pays for travel and related costs.

116What must the owner demonstrate to become certified?

Correct execution of the production and operating cycle under observation. The program has three competency gates: Certified for Opening, Independent Operation and Owner-Level Decision Authority. The owner must pass the opening gate before the store opens; the remaining gates are assessed as the owner progresses through the supervised operational ramp.

117What happens if the owner does not pass certification?

The owner is retrained and retested against the relevant competency gate. The store cannot open without the required opening certification.

118Why does Artees train the owner rather than the employees?

The owner holds and applies the complete method. The owner trains employees for assigned tasks without passing on the formulations or owner-only procedures.

119Who hires, pays, schedules and supervises employees?

The franchise owner, who must staff the store adequately while following Artees Sweets’ training, production and service standards. Employee training begins about three weeks before opening.

120How many employees does each format require?

Category A: 6–7; Category B: 4–5; Category C: 3–4. The owner works in addition to these employees.

121How does the store handle employee turnover?

Employees are trained for more than one assigned task so work can be covered. The owner trains replacements and checks their performance.

122Why are equipment and ingredient specifications mandatory?

Different equipment or ingredients can change the result even when the formulation is followed.

123Where do ingredients come from?

The store buys locally from Artees-approved suppliers. Ingredients, packaging and supplies must meet Artees specifications.

124How dependent would my store be on central production or supplies from Artees Sweets?

Ingredients are sourced locally from approved suppliers, and products are made in the store using approved specifications and procedures. For its daily production, the store does not depend on a central Artees Sweets kitchen or centrally supplied finished products. The trained owner holds the production knowledge and leads the team.

125What must be bought from Artees Sweets?

Some items are supplied by Artees Sweets and paid for by the franchisee. Most equipment is shipped by distributors, and other equipment and supplies come from approved vendors.

126Can the owner substitute an unavailable ingredient?

Only under approved, specification-based substitution rules. Alternate suppliers are qualified in advance.

127What happens if essential equipment fails?

Approved vendors provide service under service arrangements, and the store keeps critical spares. Affected production stops until the required standard can be met.

128How does the owner detect and correct quality drift?

Through measured production variables, batch logs, calibration checks and quality reviews. Deviations trigger containment, investigation, correction and, where needed, retraining.

129Does the system cover the product after it is made?

Yes. Storage conditions, holding and serving windows, packaging and delivery handling are defined to protect the product until it reaches the customer. Customers also receive clear instructions for carrying the products home, storing them and serving them.

130What food safety duties belong to the owner?

Maintaining permits and licenses, following food-safety procedures, training employees in them, keeping required records and reporting serious problems promptly.

10Artees support and oversight

131What does Artees provide before opening?

Site-selection guidance and approval, standardized store design and mechanical, electrical and plumbing specifications, equipment specifications, startup toolkit specifications, quality-assurance tools and calibration equipment, owner training and certification, a brand kit and the launch-marketing program.

132What opening support is provided on site?

One Artees Sweets representative provides up to three working days of on-site pre-opening and grand-opening support, followed by a 90-day operational ramp with field support.

133What support continues after opening?

Operations support, digital reporting, remote quality review, audits, corrective-action assistance, retraining, equipment support through approved vendors, software oversight and remote review of customer feedback.

134How does an owner get help with a problem?

Through the Artees Sweets operations support team and franchisee portal. The contact route and urgent escalation process are set out in the franchisee support documents.

135Why does Artees audit stores?

Training establishes the system; monitoring protects it. Procedures can drift in practice. Audits check that the food and the way it is made meet the standard so deviations can be corrected.

136How often are audits conducted?

Four field audits a year, two announced and two unannounced, plus daily remote review of the operating information required by Artees Sweets. Failed audits lead to corrective-action plans, retraining or recertification. Artees Sweets can suspend affected products or operating privileges when quality or safety standards are not met.

137Can Artees require retraining or recertification?

Yes, when deviations, recurring errors, performance gaps, role changes or system updates require it.

138What happens after a serious food-safety complaint?

The owner informs Artees Sweets immediately. In the owner’s absence, the employee in charge does so. Affected product is contained and removed from sale, the cause is investigated and corrected, and production resumes only when the required standard can be met. The employee in charge acts within the authority delegated by Artees Sweets.

139Can the owner do local marketing?

Yes, within Artees brand guidelines. Local knowledge helps the owner choose relevant community activities and tastings.

140How will Artees help introduce a new store?

Through the Tk ____ launch campaign, brand materials, local launch support and product tastings.

11Risks, agreement and continuity

Read: Risks and How Artees Sweets Addresses Them →

141What are the main risks of owning a store?

Lower-than-expected demand, costs above plan, staffing and supply problems, equipment failure and failure to maintain food quality. A defined system does not eliminate business risk.

142Why does local production matter when considering the risks of a new franchise?

It places the capability to make the products inside your own business. Once trained and certified, you can lead production and train employees without needing Artees Sweets to supply a chef or direct daily production. This reduces one important form of dependence on the franchisor. Marketing still helps customers discover the store, and continuing support helps owners maintain standards and address operating problems, so Artees Sweets’ marketing and support commitments still deserve careful assessment.

143What happens if a store underperforms?

The owner and Artees Sweets examine demand, prices, costs, quality, service and execution. Corrective steps may include staffing changes, an approved adjustment to the product mix, and more focused local marketing and sampling. The owner remains responsible for the business while addressing the cause.

144Is poor performance always caused by a weak location?

No. Awareness, execution, product quality, service and costs also affect results.

145How long is the franchise agreement, and how is it renewed?

The initial term is 10 years. Renewal requires a Tk ____ renewal fee and meeting the conditions in the franchise agreement.

146Can the owner sell or transfer the store?

Yes, with Artees Sweets’ approval. The buyer must qualify as an owner-operator, complete the full training program and pay the Tk ____ transfer fee.

147What happens if the owner wants to close before the agreement ends?

An early closure or transfer must follow the franchise agreement and requires coordination with Artees Sweets. Closing the doors does not by itself end the lease, financing or other outstanding obligations. A transfer to a qualified new owner may be an option.

148What happens to the formulations and procedures when ownership ends?

Access is withdrawn, and confidentiality and post-termination obligations continue under the franchise agreement.

149Does the owner own the formulations or the brand?

No. Artees Corporation owns the formulations and brand. The owner receives the right to use them under the franchise agreement while it is in force.

150What insurance must the owner maintain?

Property, general liability and workers’ compensation coverage as required by the franchise agreement, applicable law and any lender.

12Applying and deciding

151What is the first step?

Apply online, describing your experience, proposed market, available capital and interest in operating an Artees Sweets store.

152Does applying obligate either side?

No. An application begins qualification; it does not create a franchise agreement or guarantee approval.

153What happens after the application?

Artees Sweets screens the applicant and may require a nondisclosure agreement. Qualified prospects complete the three-session product evaluation, review the proposed franchise agreement, and assess the proposed market and site. If both sides decide to proceed and all applicable requirements are met, they sign the franchise agreement and the fee becomes payable. Financing, training and opening preparation follow.

154Why is a confidentiality agreement needed?

Detailed discussions may involve protected production and business information. The agreement sets the rules for receiving and using it.

155When does a prospect receive the franchise agreement?

Before signing, with time to review it with independent advisors.

156What should a prospect review in the franchise agreement?

The fees, estimated investment, obligations, restrictions, territory, supplier rules, agreement terms and information about the franchisor.

157Should a prospect get independent advice?

Yes. Review the franchise agreement, financing and proposed site with independent legal, accounting and financial advisors.

158Will every applicant and site be approved?

No. The person must qualify for the owner-operator role, and the site must meet Artees’ market, physical and financial requirements.

159What should someone decide before applying?

Whether they want to work in the store every day, learn to make the food, lead employees, follow defined standards and accept the financial risks of owning a business.

160What would make Artees a poor fit?

Seeking passive ownership, wanting to change products independently, or intending to hand daily operation to a hired manager.