Frequently Asked Questions

• What type of locations fit into Bento Sushi site criteria?
  Bento Sushi franchise locations are generally 125 - 300 square feet; however larger stores are an option. They are usually located in shopping malls, office towers, college and university settings, strip plazas and certain downtown business district locations. The optimal location has significant foot traffic, is highly visible and is situated in a highly populated area for our core demographic.
• Will Bento Sushi select the location and build the store for me?
  We will. We want our franchisees to rest assured that we will be there to help them every step of the way, and we’re constantly on the hunt for prime locations. It may be possible for you to identify a potential store location however we’ll want to evaluate and approve it before construction begins.
• Will Bento Sushi negotiate the lease for me and explain it completely so I know what my obligations are?
  Yes. We have tons of experience in lease negotiations and we will only agree to, and sign off on, a lease if it’s reasonable. And we will walk you through the document so that you understand all that you are responsible for, the total cost of the lease and the renewal terms.
• What does it costs to be a franchisee?
  The Sales Royalty is 7% of Gross Sales and the Marketing Royalty is 3% of Gross Sales (the disclosure document provides a definition of the term ‘gross’). The marketing royalty is used to support the marketing of your location through signage, menu boards, flyers etc. And that means you will not have to spend any additional funds on advertising.
• Why choose a Bento Sushi franchise vs. any other food franchise?
  The primary advantage is that the capital cost of building a Bento Sushi location is usually much lower than other food franchises. Because there is no grilling, our stores do not require expensive kitchen and exhaust units. However another key benefit is that landlords have the flexibility of placing Bento into prime traffic locations that may be away from other food competitors. And that maximizes opportunities for profitability.
• I have never run a business before and/or I have no experience in running a food operation. Is this necessary to become a Franchisee for Bento Sushi?
  Small business experience would be a benefit, we aren’t going to lie. But it is not required. We provide step-by-step training at Bento headquarters in Markham ON that covers the important aspects of operating your new business profitably. Areas such as operations, marketing, food safety, guest services, nutrition and finance are all featured in depth. On top of all that, you’ll have access to hands-on support from our team before and after you open your location. Ultimately, we believe it’s your passion and dedication that will be more important to your success than any other factor.