Frequently Asked Questions

  1. What kind of training do I get at Good Earth?
  2. How are café locations selected?
  3. How long does it take to build and open a Good Earth?
  4. Who designs and builds the new café?
  5. Who sets up and opens the café?
  6. What happens after I open my café?
  7. What are the Royalty and Marketing Fees?
  8. What is the typical investment?
  9. What return on investment can I expect?


What kind of training do I get at Good Earth?
Our Training Program equips you with the skills and knowledge you need to operate your Good Earth coffeehouse. Training is held at Good Earth’s corporate offices and a training store, both in Calgary, Alberta, and requires an eight week commitment. There is no extra cost for the training program, although you will have personal expenses including transportation, meals, and accommodations while training. Successful applicants are required to attend and successfully complete the training program.
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How are café locations selected?
Our Real Estate strategy is in keeping with how we operate Good Earth. Simply put, we believe in Quality over Quantity. We pursue prime locations with great exposure to pedestrians and/or vehicle traffic, and easy access for customers. We look for the right demographics and the right density of population. Our experienced real estate team performs site selection and lease negotiation in-house. They have a combined 60+ years of experience in retail real estate in Canada and know the needs of our brand.
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How long does it take to build and open a Good Earth?
After a site is secured, lease documents are signed, and the premise is available, the process typically moves forward as follows: 60 days for design; 30 - 60 days for permits and pricing; and 90 days for construction. The new café opens approximately 180 days after lease documents are signed.
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Who designs and builds the new café?
A good coffeehouse is a comfortable, warm and inviting place. Our experienced team manages the design of each Good Earth café to suite its surroundings and set the stage for an authentic coffeehouse experience. Franchisees sign a Construction Management Agreement and pay for the design, construction, furniture, fixtures, equipment and other materials and services associated with build-out of the cafe. Coordination and management of the construction process is provided by the Good Earth team.
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Who sets up and opens the café?
Our experienced Operations staff commissions each new store with the Franchisee. This is done in advance of opening and includes setting up the store, receiving initial inventories, and training staff. The Franchisee hires staff and trains them during the commissioning period. An Operations support person remains in the store for a minimum of 5 days after opening to ensure that the cafe is running smoothly.
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What happens after I open my café?
Our cafes are monitored and appropriate assistance is provided to continually improve operations and ensure cafes meet our standards. We provide the Franchise Partner with support in a number of areas, including training, product quality and knowledge, inventory control, purchasing and operating procedures. Our Regional Operations Manager works closely with each Franchise Partner to optimize their business and successfully uphold the Good Earth brand standards.
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What are the Royalty and Marketing Fees?
Royalties are remitted to the Franchisor on a weekly basis at the rate of 7% of gross sales. The National Marketing Fund contribution is made on a weekly basis at the rate of 2% of gross sales. In addition to this contribution, each Franchise Partner is required to spend an additional 2% of sales on approved Local Store Marketing activities.
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What is the typical investment?
The Good Earth franchised operation requires a total investment of approximately $425,000 to $495,000 (exclusive of GST). This includes the $30,000 franchise fee, leasehold improvements, equipment, furniture and fixtures, signage, opening inventory, legal and accounting, opening advertising, working capital and other miscellaneous start up costs. This amount will vary with each location depending on several factors including the size of the store, improvements provided by the Landlord, and other circumstances. Financing is generally available through Canadian lending institutions by way of a Small Business Loan. Although the total amount of the investment may be available to an applicant by way of a loan, Good Earth Cafes will not approve a candidate unless they have a minimum of $175,000 in cash invested in the business. We believe this level of investment is required so a franchisee does not embark in the business with an unreasonable debt load. The investment provides for: * The use of the Good Earth name, trademarks, operating system, and quality reputation * Benefits of our collective experience, business expertise and advice * Site selection and lease negotiation * Design and layout of new store * Store construction * New franchisee training program * Preparation of initial inventory list * Initial commissioning of store * Assistance at store opening * Ongoing field support * Access to volume purchasing power
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What return on investment can I expect?
Good Earth Cafes is confident of the success of every new franchise cafe provided the Franchisee dedicates him or herself full-time to the success of the cafe. Projected operational expenses and sales can vary considerably from cafe to cafe based on the management skills of the franchisee along with economic, geographic and other factors. As a result Good Earth does not guarantee that a new store will reach any particular sales or profitability level. After a prospective franchisee has entered into a refundable Deposit Agreement Good Earth Cafes will provide profit and loss statements for each of a low, mid and high volume store, which statements shall be based on actual operating results. Such statements strictly confidential and are provided to a prospective franchisee to assist in their evaluation of the Good Earth opportunity.
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