Welcome to the World of Café Céramique We invite you to become one of our important partners as we conquer the Gulf Region in providing a unique creative entertainment experience by combining paint-your-own pottery concept with quality food and beverage.  Take this wonderful opportunity to become part of the fastest growing and trend-setting provider of casual and artistic dining experience.  Join us.  Be a part of the Café Céramique family. It is our utmost desire to make our franchisees to be happy, successful, and realize an excellent return on their investment.  The success of our franchisees and the satisfaction of our patrons are our top priority.   For more info please e-mail us on: mailto:renato.n@hcs-me.com   Our Promise To provide the opportunity for the Café Céramique franchisees to maximize their profits through our unique and rapidly growing franchise concept. Our Goal To become the preferred choice for franchisees in the region by offering them quality products and services, on-going support and strong business management systems. The Café Céramique Advantage Unique entertainment concept Strong regional franchise support Family focused model Profitable business model Partnership with the world's top supplier of ceramics Two businesses under one roof Lack of direct competitors High appeal across ages and cultures^   The Concept ^ Imagine a haven away from the stresses of everyday life, a stylish space where friends can meet to enjoy superb casual dining, yet somewhere that is much more than a sophisticated café. A place to be inspired, where the artist in all of us is given free rein to paint beautiful, individual works of art. This is the concept behind Café Céramique. Part café, part artist studio, Café Céramique is designed as a home away from home, with comfortable seating areas, art-lined walls, and a relaxed, laid-back ambience. The café is not exclusive to seasoned artists - in fact you need never have picked up a paintbrush before in order to produce stunning, unique ceramics you would be proud to display or gift to love ones.  Brushes, piants, stamps - everything you need are supplied by the café, including the white ceramics ready for you to adorn. Age is no barrier at Café Céramique - we welcome customers from aged 4 to 104!  After all, it is never to early or too late for creativity.  With their own studio, younger guests can be left in the care of dedicated and capable staff whilst adults can relax to their heart's content. Can't think how to decorate your bisque?  Sit back in the comfort of the sofa areas, flick through the art books on display and let the great masters be your guide. Of course you don't have to be a professional artist to enjoy Café Céramique.  If you simply prefer to meet up with friends and linger over coffee or something to eat, be our guest!  In fact, your experience would not be complete without the award winning food and beverage of Café Céramique. The flavorful and innovative menu appeals to all palates and includes a great selection of breakfasts, bagels, home-made soups, sandwiches and desserts as well as a large variety of gourmet coffees and exotic beverages.  Café Céramique's taste-for-art cuisine prepared using the finest ingredients and presented in a 5-star setting... Enjoy the mellow sounds of jazz and R & B while you soak up the entire experience and the creative activity around you. Café Céramique - much more than a café, much more than an art studio, it's a new experience in café culture.  Let us inspire you... ^   Café Céramique Opportunity ^ Financial Opportunity The earning potential of any franchise opportunity is subject to many factors that include but are not limited to, location, and the amount of time you devote to the business, your management abilities, and the quality of the franchise support system. An investment in an established franchise provides a number of benefits that will hopefully enable you to reach your entrepreneurial dreams. Support Café Céramique provides support for every step of the process, from your franchise application, to the location and leasing of your restaurant, to the opening, to the ongoing operation of the business. The Café Céramique support team is dedicated to supporting our franchisees. In addition to the field support provided to you, Café Céramique will provide a consultant that will act as a liaison with each franchisee. This ongoing business consulting is an invaluable service provided to franchisees. The business relationship formed between the consultants and franchisee enhances the success of the entire operation. Architectural Design The Café Céramique design staff consults with franchisees throughout the construction process. Architects provide preliminary design in relation to operational layout for all new construction or conversion of layouts, including image and decor. The Café Céramique design team recommends construction materials and facilitates the construction and scheduling process. Equipment specifications are also provided. Training The Café Céramique training covers the introductory business and operational skills required to efficiently manage the operations while ensuring premium quality products are prepared and served according to our exacting standards. The training is highly interactive, and trainees are monitored closely to ensure optimal effectiveness. The Café Céramique training team coordinates with each franchisee to develop the proper support to ensure the timely and efficient opening of each restaurant. The support includes training prior to and through the first week of operations. All franchisees are required to participate in our comprehensive training program. Product Management The product management team will work with the franchisees to maintain a portfolio of high quality products. New products will be introduced through a careful selection process that includes the franchisees as well as operations and product management input. Marketing and Promotions Café Céramique provides ongoing marketing support. The marketing team will work closely with each franchisee to develop and execute strategic marketing plans. Access to high-quality brand wide point-of-sale and advertising materials is provided. Our marketing staff generates innovative sales building promotional ideas and support items. A variety of programs to generate publicity are also available. ^     Initial Investment Information^ Funds Required for a Café Céramique Franchise A typical Café Céramique outlet would require an investment ranging between $600,000 to $800,000 for a 400sqm to a 550sqm outlet depending on the location. The investment summary table below provides the breakdown of the typical investment based on Café Céramique of approximately 500sqm seating approximately 90 people.  The Franchise Fee for Café Céramique is $45,000 plus a Royalty Fee amounting to 6% of revenues. ^  Capex Furniture, Fixture and Equipment Standard Operating Equipment Décor and Fitting $ 500,000 – 650,000 Opex Inventory and Working Capital Labor Costs (visas, salaries) Rent (advance payment) Operations and Administration   $ 100,000 – 150,000     TOTAL $ 600,000 – 800,000  Franchise Requirements ^ Café Céramique has selected franchising as the preferred system for growth. Therefore it is critical that outstanding franchisees are part of the Café Céramique franchise family. Not everyone who applies for a franchise meets the criteria to become a franchisee.  We strive to ensure that each Café Céramique owner possesses the necessary entrepreneurial drive, attitude, management skills, financial means, and dedication that are required for success. Café Céramique will be looking for the following from its franchisees: Personal Characteristics Café Céramique is seeking franchisees with a strong entrepreneurial spirit; natural salesmanship abilities; a commitment to excellence; a solid understanding of customer service and a commitment to phenomenal customer service; great attitude; prior record of business success (preferably retail); the ability to recruit, train, and motivate employees; and solid financial backing and sufficient liquid capital resources.   Operational Experience Experience with managing expat-employees coming from various culture and nationalities, experience in foodservice operations, multi-unit management, franchising, business development and/or other related areas are very beneficial in setting up and operating a Café Céramique franchise. Skills Understanding of franchising; understanding of the necessity for compliance in operating systems within a franchise as well as a good business sense.  Financial Requirements Café Céramique franchisees must demonstrate the ability to finance all of the costs to build and develop the Café Céramique outlets. ^     Franchise Process ^ From research to implementation, the Café Céramique staff will be very involved in working to help you successfully establish your business.  Here's a step-by-step review of the franchise process: Step One: Research Read the information on the Café Céramique web site -- http://www.cafeceramique.com/  -- to make an initial determination if Café Céramique could be the right opportunity for you.  Step Two: Apply Submit the Request for Consideration Form so we can learn more about you.  Upon receipt of this information, one of our representatives will contact you, and we can begin the process of sharing more information about Café Céramique.  Once you have decided that you are interested in acquiring a Café Céramique outlet, you will need to complete the Business Plan as per sample outline that Café Céramique will provide you with. Step Three: Investigation Café Céramique will carefully study your Business Plan.  The selection of new Café Céramique is a most important decision.  Not everyone who applies for a franchise meets the criteria to become a franchisee.  We strive to ensure that each Café Céramique possesses the necessary entrepreneurial drive, attitude, management skills, financial means, and dedication that are required for success.  If you meet the requirements, Café Céramique will then draft a letter of intent outlining key material terms of the Development Agreement/or Franchise Agreement.  You should study the letter of intent and other materials carefully and conduct your own investigation.  Step Four: Deposit Upon signing the letter of intent, you will be required to pay a non-refundable deposit which will depend on the number of franchise you plan to open in your area. Step Five: Agreement A Development Area/or Franchise Agreement will then be provided to you.  We insist that you get the best possible legal and accounting advice at this point.  At this point, you make the decision to move ahead; the Franchise Agreement is executed.  You pay the Development Fee and/or Franchise Fee to Café Céramique BVI; and Café Céramique begins providing information and services to you. Step Six: Location Café Céramique helps you choose a preferred location.  Once the site is identified and due-diligence is completed, a lease is negotiated with our assistance.   Step Seven: Café Architectural and Interior Design Because each space is different in terms of size and layout, a detailed draft needs to be prepared to determine the best way to utilize the available space effectively.  Once approved, a complete set of plans is prepared, and we assist you in selecting a contractor to build the Café.  Step Eight: Planning The next step is planning.  All aspects of the Café will be reviewed and an action plan will be developed for implementation. Step Nine: Training Comprehensive training is provided at a Café Céramique location.  Our training program takes approximately four weeks to complete.  You attend classroom instruction, and then step into a Café Céramique outlet to apply the lessons that you have learned.  Training is under the guidance of highly qualified trainers whose jobs are to prepare you to run your business using the exact same procedures and guidelines as all Café Céramique managers.  This is a "hands on" program and requires you to be able to run the outlet by the end of the training.  We also teach you how to hire and train your staff. Step Ten: Opening Before you open, Café Céramique personnel will be there to ensure that the equipment and construction meet our quality control expectations and then, once an opening date is determined, we will guide you through the hiring and training of your new employees.  We will also have qualified trainers in your CC during your opening period. Ongoing Support Once you are open, we have an ongoing support structure that includes regular visits by our Café Céramique Consultants, whose focus will be to assist you in the technical and operations side of the business.  The communications link with the Head Quarters in Dubai and the information sharing that we provide will enable us to deal with specific issues as they relate to your results by comparing them to both our corporate and franchisee information. ^     Training ^ The Café Céramique Training covers the business and operational skills required to efficiently manage the operations while ensuring premium quality products are prepared and served according to our exacting standards.  The training is highly interactive, and trainees are monitored closely to ensure optimal effectiveness.  Upon successfully completing the Café Céramique training, the franchisee is ready to open their own Café Céramique.  The Café Céramique training team coordinates with the franchisee to develop the proper support to ensure the timely and efficient opening of each Café.  The support includes training prior to and through the first week of operations. ^     Facts about Franchising ^ Franchise businesses are responsible for a large part of sales worldwide.  There are many benefits to franchisees from participation in a franchise system. Established Concept The franchisee buys into a business that has an established concept.  A reputation has been established.   Established Product or Service A franchisor offers a product or service that has sold successfully.  An independent business is based on both an untried idea and operation.   Name Recognition Established franchisors can offer regional or national name recognition.   Minimum Risk and Enhanced Opportunity for Success Franchising is very successful because it markedly improves the odds for business success. The failure rate of new non-franchise business start-ups is high because the owners have to go through the learning curve of operating that specific business. Franchises are based on a proven concept -- the franchisor has gone through the learning curve and has already invested a great deal of time, skill, effort, and money to start up, refine, and prove the concept. The franchisor provides each franchisee with knowledge and insight gained through years of experience and a successful operation. Estimates of failure rates among new non-franchised businesses range from 60% to 90% while many franchised businesses boast a 95% success rate.  The primary reason you should buy a franchise is to minimize risk and enhance your chance of success. Proven System of Operation An attractive feature of most franchises is that they have a proven system of operation.  This system has been developed and refined by the franchisor.  A franchisor will typically have a highly refined system based on the entire experience of all these operations. Tools for Success Franchising provides the tools for success.  A complete system is provided.  The franchiser provides important assistance as the business is being started and on an ongoing basis.   Technical, Operational, and Managerial Assistance The franchiser provides technical, operational, and managerial assistance.  These services make it far easier for a franchisee to go into business, and the ongoing assistance is equally valuable. Experience of Franchisor The experience of the franchisor’s management team increases the potential for success.  This experience is often conveyed through formal instruction and on-the-job training. Standards and Quality Control Franchisors set standards and provide a mechanism for maintaining quality control. Less Operating Capital The expertise provided by the franchisor should enable a franchisee to operate with less working capital than the non-franchised business. Efficiency in Operation Franchisors discover operating and management efficiencies that benefit new franchisees.  Operational standards set in place by the franchisor also control quality and uniformity among franchisees. Management Assistance A franchiser provides management assistance to a franchisee.  This includes accounting procedures, personnel management, facility management, etc.  An individual with experience in these areas may not be familiar with how to apply them in a new business.  The franchiser helps a franchisee overcome this lack of experience. Business Plan Most franchisors help franchisees develop a business plan.  Many elements of the plan are standard operating procedures established by the franchisor.  Other parts of the plan are customized to the needs of the franchisee. Start-Up Assistance The most difficult aspect of a new business is its start-up.  Few experienced managers know about how to set up a new business because they only do it a few times.  However, a franchiser has a great deal of experience accumulated from helping its franchisees with start-up.  This experience will help reduce mistakes that are costly in both money and time. Research & Development Franchisors have an ongoing interest in the development of their franchises, and many maintain permanent research and development departments.  The results of these efforts are shared with all franchisees. Advertising & Promotion Funds pooled from all franchisees enable the franchise to have a joint advertising program national advertising program and gain wider exposure. Marketing Assistance A franchisor typically offers several marketing advantages.  The franchisor can prepare and pay for the development of professional advertising campaigns.  Regional or national marketing done by the franchiser benefits all franchisees.  In addition, the franchisor can provide advice about how to develop effective marketing programs for a local area.  Co-Op Benefits Franchises also benefit from the co-op nature of the franchise program.  As a franchise system expands, many positive things happen.  The brand name becomes better known; advertising increases; synergies develop; and all benefit from the sharing of experiences, buying power, and more. Group Purchasing Power It is often possible to obtain lower-cost goods and supplies through the franchisor.  Lower costs result from the group purchasing power of all franchises. Comparative Assessment The ability to compare one store to another within a franchise system can be very valuable. Research Before Spending Another reason why it is prudent to buy a franchise is that a franchise investment can be thoroughly researched before any significant expenditures are made.  With a new non-franchise business start-up, you are always operating in the dark, and it is very hard to get a handle on the many aspects of the new business.  But the franchiser has a wealth of information about all aspects of the franchised business. Opportunities Unique opportunities are provided by franchising.  The opportunity to own one's own business and the rewards associated with success are provided by successful franchises.  Franchisees can be in business for themselves without having to be in business alone.  There is pride in being associated with a successful franchise.  Franchising provides personal growth and advancement in business knowledge and skills.  The opportunity to work with people and for people is valued by many franchisees.     A Gallup Poll of franchisees found that over 94% considered themselves successful, and over 75% said they would buy their franchise again if they had it to do over. ^     Expansion Plans ^ UAE Expansion Over the past two years, Café Céramique has achieved a level of brand recognition in the United Arab Emirates, which in inevitable for such a new concept. This has been achieved through word of mouth as well as sustained marketing campaigns.  This recognition has translated in both outlets becoming destinations for families with the outlet in Dubai becoming the anchor for Town Center in Jumeirah (the Abu Dhabi outlet is in a stand alone building). Café Céramique is now ready to capitalize on this brand recognition by opening up to top three new outlets in greater Dubai and Sharjah.  Furthermore, there is a good potential for an outlet in Al Ain as well.  Accordingly, we believe that there is a potential for up to 6 outlets in the UAE. Café Céramique is very selective in its location and intends to choose prime locations with real estate developers who have a long-term view on their tenants and are looking for alternative concepts to the common concepts existing in most real estate developments in the UAE.  Café Céramique prides itself in being an exciting alternative for discerning families and we are looking for real estate developers with the same values. Regional Expansion From inception, Café Céramique was designed and managed with regional expansion in mind.  Everything from policies and procedures, branding and marketing materials, supply agreements, trademarks and standardization was always at the forefront of the management's planning philosophy.  Furthermore, over the past 12 months, Café Céramique has been registering the trademark throughout the region, implemented a formal franchise application process with screening, finalizing the Franchise marketing documents and legal contracts. The nature of the Dubai market (regional business center, active tourism and expatriate community) allowed Café Céramique to receive valuable feedback as to the multi-cultural appeal of the concept and its likelihood of success in other regional markets.  Based on the response and the interest expressed, there is no doubt that the concept is appealing to all nationalities and both genders and would be successful in Saudi Arabia, Lebanon, Karachi or Kuala Lumpur.  We therefore believe that Café Céramique has all the required ingredients to become the strong regional player in the Middle East, Sub Continent and Southeast Asia.  It is Café Céramique's intention to sell 30 franchisees in the next five years. Second Phase of Expansion^ Kingdom of Saudi Arabi Bahrain Lebanon Egypt