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Frequently Asked Questions



  1. What does it cost to be a Cupcake Station Franchisee?
    It will cost between $250,000 and $375,000 USD to open a Cupcake Station. We pre-qualify
    all prospective Cupcake Station Franchisees who can confirm that they have the total
    investment price with approximately $200,000 in unencumbered (free and clear) cash. The
    total investment price includes the initial Franchisee fee, build out costs, and opening and operational costs. The amount can fluctuate per store depending on the leasehold improvements, current market conditions and negotiated rental rates

  2. If I don’t meet the financial or operational criteria to become a franchisee, can I partner up with someone who does?
    Yes, you can. As long as your partner owns at least 50% of your organization, this is acceptable.

  3. What fees will I pay?
    The initial fee to open a Cupcake Station is $25,000. This fee is used to assist you with site selection, layout planning, your initial training and for the use of our Confidential Manuals. 
    In addition, there will be a continuing monthly royalty fee of 6% and marketing contribution
    of 2-3%.

  4. Does the Cupcake Station offer financing arrangements?
    The Cupcake Station does not provide financing for prospective Franchisee’s. We can help with any financials from previous year’s history of the Cupcake Station, providing them to your lender.  You will need to have at least 20-30% down to even be considered for a small business loan.

  5. What is the Cupcake Station looking for in prospective franchisees?
    All prospective Cupcake Station Franchisees must, at a minimum, have the following qualities:
    • Minimum 2 years management experience, retail is the best situation. 
    • Possess a desire to achieve and grow rapidly with the Cupcake Station
    • Entrepreneurial spirit, grit and tenacity
    • Enthusiasm and devotion to work daily in all aspects of the bakery
    • Comfortable knowledge and experience with computers
    • Ability to read, understand and manage financial statements
    • Willingness to learn and follow the Cupcake Station Franchisee Manuals and Procedures
    • Team player
    • Superior organizational skills
    • Acceptable credit history
    • Sufficient liquid assets (i.e. cash) to invest into the business

  6. Does the Cupcake Station have a certain type of location in mind when choosing to open a new bakery?
    Our philosophy is to have the Cupcake Station become part of the local community so we want our prospective franchisees to choose a location within the community….preferably in a downtown area or neighborhood as opposed to strip malls or large shopping malls.

  7. What is the typical size of a Cupcake Station?
    Our Prototype Cupcake Station ranges from 1400-1800 square feet with seating from
    12-25 people.

  8. How long does it take to usually open a bakery?
    After a site has been approved and a lease executed, it typically takes approximately 90 – 120 days to be ready to open. There are many variables that could impact this time frame including the time required to receive construction approvals and permits from local government authorities.

  9. Can the Cupcake Station help in reviewing my lease?
    Yes, our team will help you find and evaluate a site selection. We have many years of experience in commercial real estate. However, when it comes to finalizing your lease, we recommend speaking with a qualified real estate attorney.

  10. How much money will I make?
    Although the Federal Trade Commission permits us to make an earnings claims to prospective franchisees, we have choosen not to do this. How much money you make will depend on you, the prospective Franchisee and your ability to operate the bakery effectively. Determining factors like following operational budgets, fixed costs, cost of financing, and sales volumes all affect the bottom line and potentional profitability.

  11. Is the Cupcake Station accepting applications for locations outside of the United States?
    No. The Cupcake Station is currently considering eligible applicants for locations in the United States only.

  12. Do I need retail business experience to operate a Cupcake Station? The Cupcake Station offers ongoing training and support that helps prepare every prospective Franchisee with the appropriate tools and information they need. But having a friendly, outgoing personality and exception customer service skills are encouraged.

  13. What type of training does the Cupcake Station offer?  What if I don’t have any baking experience?
    We offer a combination of approximately 100 hours of classroom and on the job training at our flagship bakery in Birmingham, Michigan. (Does not include, travel, lodging, transportation or meals expenses) The Cupcake Station Franchisee Training Program starts with an Introductory Cupcake Baking Session so prior baking experience is not required.  We’re confident that anyone completing the training will be qualified and have the confidence to operate a Cupcake Station. With on going training through out our agreement  All owners and operating managers are also required to attend training ( two people are included in the franchisee fee.  There will be an extra charge for each addition person’s.

  14. Can a Franchisee Member own more than one Cupcake Station location?
    Yes, the Cupcake Station is looking for prospects that are capable of operating multiple Cupcakes Station locations.

  15. What type of Agreements does the Cupcake Station offer?
    The Cupcake Station offers a Franchise Agreement to operate a single location, within a protected defined sales area, for a 10 year term.

  16. Is the prospective Cupcake Station Franchisee required to manage the day-to-day operations of their Cupcake Station bakery?
    It is highly recommended that every Cupcake Station Franchisee understand and experience the day-to-day operations on a management level for the first year of operation. It is completely acceptable for a trained Cupcake Station Franchisee to eventually hire and teach a suitable Store Manager to take over the “Hands On” responsibilities.

  17. How do I apply for a Cupcake Station franchise?
    Fill out and download the PDF from CupcakeStation.com and, once completed, fax it to our office at 248.334.7927.  This preliminary application will be reviewed by the owners and they will contact you if you fit their criteria for a Cupcake Station franchisee.

  18. If my application is accepted, what happens next?
    If your online application is accepted, you will receive a call from the Cupcake Station owners and we will forward a more in-depth franchisee application.  Once we receive your completed detailed application, you’ll be invited to the main bakery in Birmingham, Michigan for a discovery day and you will leave with a copy of the Franchise Disclosure Document that you can review for 14 days.  After 14 days, we will require a decision from you on your continued interest in becoming a Cupcake Station Franchisee.

1.         Notice Regarding Franchise Offers and Sales

a.         This information is not intended as an offer to sell, or the solicitation of an offer to buy, a franchise.  It is for information purposes only.  There are approximately 14 countries and 15 US states that regulate the offer and sale of franchises.  The countries are Australia, Brazil, Belgium, Canada (provinces of Alberta and Ontario), China, France, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, Russia, South Korea, Spain, and the United States of America.  The US states are California, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Virginia, Washington, and Wisconsin.  If you are a resident of one of these states or countries, are receiving this message in one of these states or countries, or intend to operate a franchise in any of these states or countries, we will not offer you a franchise unless and until we have complied with any applicable pre-sale registration and/or disclosure requirements in the applicable jurisdiction.

b.         This offering is not an offering of a franchise.  In New York (USA), an offering of a franchise can only be made by a prospectus that has been previously filed and registered with the Department of Law of the State of New York.  The application for registration of an offering prospectus or the acceptance and filing thereof by the Department of Law as required by the New York law does not constitute approval of the offering or the sale of such franchise by the Department of Law or the attorney general of New York.

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