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Franchises

Solar Xpress Franchising
Solar Xpress is a company that has over 22 Years experience in the solar industry. From humble beginnings, Solar Xpress has grown to be one of Queensland's largest retailers of solar equipment. Be it solar power for your home, solar hot water, solar for caravans, recreational vehicles or boats, Solar Xpress has a system to power your application.

In 2009, Solar Xpress decided to expand its network by offering franchised territories. These territories are available to a select few who have the drive, ability, qualifications and financial backing to run a successful dynamic business in a fast growing industry. Franchises are supported by the Solar Xpress Franchise Team through franchisee training and on-going development backed up by comprehensive operations manuals.

What is Franchising?
Franchising is a form of business that uses a proven business model to achieve success. Owning a franchise generally allows you to sell, distribute or use techniques, products and trademarks of the franchisor for a fee. The franchisor can offer support services such as training, advertising and marketing tools to aid with your success.

Why Choose Solar Xpress?
Solar Xpress has 22 Years experience in the solar industry and we can offer you a proven successful system of doing business. Our support team is available to assist with any queries and questions by means of telephone during store operating hours or alternatively, you can email us.

What Qualifications Do I Need?
An understanding of the building and electrical industry is essential. Ideally you will be a Qualified Electrician with a Clean Energy Council Accreditation in Solar. However, this qualification is not essential to the running of the business. You may choose to hire such a person as a key member of your team.

Our ideal franchisee must:

Be passionate, ambitious, self-motivated and challenge driven. Do you welcome, connect and strive to please each and every customer?
Be committed to outstanding customer service and excellence. Are you committed to providing products and services of the highest value to our customers?
Have integrity. Are you able to treat customers and co-workers with honesty and respect?
Be a great leader who is willing to build a winning team and create a positive work environment. Can you lead and develop a Solar Xpress team that celebrates their successes together?
Be experienced. Do you have industry experience or team leadership abilities?

Do You Provide Training?
Yes. This cost is included in the initial investment. We will provide two weeks of training prior to opening - one week in one of our existing stores and then one week of training in your store. This training, as well as material provided to you in the Confidential Operations Manual includes information on recruitment, product, suppliers, customer service, financial reporting and marketing tips, and will therefore provide you with the necessary skills to assist you in your business venture.

Is a Franchise for Me?
One of the keys to success in our business is your ability to work with other people. Qualities you will require include an ability to work in a team; to be passionate about success; hardworking; enthusiastic; an interest in caring for the environment; and effective communication skills.

As a franchisee you will be required to follow a specific way of doing business with a focus on exceptional customer service and care.

Why are Franchises More Successful?
There are a number of reasons why franchises can be more successful than individual businesses:

It is a business model that has previously been proven in the market
The support the franchisee receives from the franchisor
Customers brand loyalty
Both the franchisee and franchisor working together to achieve the same goals

What Types of Solar Xpress Franchises are Available?
There are currently two franchise models available. The first is mobile. As a franchisee you operate your business from a number of vehicles and a central location. In this model there is no retail showroom. Showroom facilities can be added at a later stage as your business grows.

The second involves the addition to the above mobile franchise of a retail showroom. In the showroom you stock a variety of approved products for the public to see.

The specific territory will determine the type of franchise model. As a guide we would recommend that territories in cities include a retail showroom and regional areas begin as a mobile facility.

How Much Does it Cost?
The specific territory, your stock holdings, the type of franchise model (i.e. mobile van or shop front with retail) and the size of the store site chosen will determine the exact cost of the franchise. As a guide a franchise can vary between $80,000 and $250,000.

How Long is the Franchise Agreement?
Dependant on your lease terms of the premise the agreement is usually for 5 years. Further renewals are available subject to the compliance of your Franchise Agreement.

Am I Required to Work in the Business?
Yes. At Solar Xpress, we believe that the most successful franchises are those which are run by the actual owner of the store. We also believe that the best head-start you can give your business is to commit yourself to it so as you can fully understand every aspect of the operation. Therefore, the franchisee is required to work in the business on a full time basis (minimum 40 hours per week).

What is the Recommended Location Size and Ideal Location for a Retail Showroom?
100-200sq metres. Locations may be in industrial or strip locations. The location should have high visibility, easy access to parking lots, heavy blue and white collar worker makeup in the community and no over abundance of competition in the trade area.

Which Sites are Available?
We currently have a number of exciting opportunities available throughout the Queensland. These include the Gold Coast, Toowoomba, Hervey Bay, Bundaberg, Gladstone, Mackay, Rockhampton, Townsville and Cairns.

What Payments are Made to the Franchisor?
Payments made to the franchisor are based on your Gross Turnover. There is also a marketing fee based on your Gross Turnover.

Can I Purchase Stock from the Franchisor?
Yes, you can. We have a list of approved products that you can stock. These products are available to you at a discounted rate.

How Long Will it Take to Open a Retail Showroom?
Once a location has been secured and the construction permit has been issued, the fit out period will usually take 10-16 weeks. However, the timing of your store opening is completely dependent on timings required under the Franchises Code of Conduct for you to become a franchisee - handover and lease commencement dates outlined in the lease; time to build your Solar Xpress store; and your successful completion of our training program.

How Much Income Will the Franchise Generate?
Due to the significant number of variables affecting the profitable performance of each individual franchise, we can't give an accurate indication of what turnover you can expect from your operation of a Solar Xpress franchise. Once we have received your Franchisee Application Form and after the initial interview, we release a Confidentiality Agreement to you. Following the execution of a Confidentiality Agreement, historical sales turnover figures of the existing Solar Xpress stores may be disclosed to you.

Can I Get Finance for my Franchise?
Please contact the Franchise Office for details.

Is it Possible to Pursue Multi-Territory Franchise Opportunities?
Yes. However, there is a comprehensive Multi-Territory Assessment process that you will be required to under-go to be approved as a Multi-Territory Solar Xpress Partner.

Can I Sell My Franchise at a Later Date?
Yes, you can. However the proposed new franchisee must be approved by the franchisor.

Who Do I Contact for More Information?
Now it's as easy as filling out the Solar Xpress Franchisee Application Form, to getting one step closer to becoming a Solar Xpress franchisee! Once you have printed off the Franchisee Application Form from our website and completed all the information required, please fax to 07 5495 6233. We will respond to your application within 48 hours of receiving it. For any enquiries, please call 07 5495 6222 or email sales@solarxpress.com.au

pdf Franchisee Application Form