submitting an inquiry.

Step $2$: Submit Information Forms, Financial Statements, and Resume$-$The forms in the packet are completed and submitted to Smoothie King for review by the executive staff. If preliminary approval is given, a confidential notice is sent to the applicant.

$\frac{2}{3}$ view and Presentation$-$An interview is scheduled by a Franchise Develop......tative at Smoothie King's headquarters in Kenner, Louisiana. This interview includes a complete introduction to Smoothie King's operations, a meeting with the

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$\backslash$table$[[\backslash$table$[[$TABLE$],[$T$230],[$Step$]],$Smoothie King $-$Steps to Becoming a Franchisee$],[$Activities$,$Information Systems Used$],[1,$Obtain Franchisee Information Packet,$-$ Web Pages on Company's Website$],[2,\backslash$table$[[$Submit Information Forms,$],[$Financial Statements, and Resume$]],-$ Web Pages on Company's Website E$-$mail$],[3,$Attend Interview,$-$ Appointment Software Presentation Programs$],[4,$Review UFOC,$\backslash$table$[[-$ Web Pages on Company's Website$],[-$ E$-$mail$],[-$ Desktop Publishing$],[-$ Word Processing$]]],[5,$Meet with Existing Franchisees,$-$ E$-$mail$],[6,$Information Review,$\backslash$table$[[-$ Prospective Franchisee Profiles Database$],[-$ E$-$mail$]]],[7,$Second Interview,$\backslash$table$[[-$ Appointment Software$],[-$ Presentation Programs$]]],[8,$Sign the Franchise Agreement,$-$ E$-$mail$],[9,$Orientation Session,$\backslash$table$[[-$ Presentation Programs$],[-$ Training Software$],[-$ Site Selection System$]]],[10,$Training Session,$\backslash$table$[[-$ Presentation Programs$],[-$ Training Software$]]],[11,$Completion of Construction,$\backslash$table$[[-$ Project Management$],[-$ Site Management$]]],[12,$Store Opens for Business,$\backslash$table$[[-$ Help Desk Management$],[-$ Customer Relationship Marketing System$]]]]$

executive staff, a review of their Uniform Franchise Offering Circular $($UFOC$),$ and visits to several operating franchises.

Step $4$: Review UFOC$-$The circular contains all the information needed to help a prospective franchisee to analyze Smoothie King's franchise system.

Step $5$: Meet with Existing Franchisees$-$Meeting with some of Smoothie King's existing franchisees to learn more about their operations is recommended.

Step $6$: Information Review$-$The information forms, financial statements, credit forms, and background information is evaluated by Smoothie King, and if a mutual decision to proceed is determined, a second interview may be scheduled.

Step $7$: Second Interview$-$If necessary, a second interview at Smoothie King headquarters is scheduled by the Franchise Development Representative, which includes a meet with their franchise support staff and a visit to their training center in Metairie, Louisiana.

Step $8$: Sign the Franchise Agreement$-$The prospective franchisee now has enough information about Smoothie King to make a decision about joining the Smoothie King operation. If approved, the prospect signs the franchise agreement.

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INFORMATION SYSTEMS IN FRANCHISING $327$

Step $9$: Orientation Session$-$As soon as possible after signing, the franchisee is invited to attend a one$-$day orientation session. This session covers all of the steps involved in opening a new store, including budgeting, financing, planning, site selection, ordering, and construction. After the orientation, Smoothie King's real estate department works with the franchisee to select find the ideal site for a new Smoothie King store.

Step $10$: Training Session$-$The new franchisee and management staff attends the appropriate training at Smoothie King's training center.

Step $11$: Completion of Construction$-$When construction is completed and the new store set up$,$ more training is offered on site.

Step $12$: Store Opens for Business.

CASE QUESTIONS

Is it safe to send important documents through the e$-$mail? How can you make it safe?

How do you design the company's website to serve the visitors better?

What shall a good prospective franchisee profiles database do$?$

What shall a good site selection system do$?$

What shall a customer relationship marketing system do$?$

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