Q: Is hemp the same as marijuana?

A: No. While they come from the same plant (Cannabis sativa L), "hemp" refers to the legal and industrial use of the plant’s stalk and seed. Unlike its cousin marijuana, the plant parts of industrial hemp lack significant intoxicants. Hemp fiber, with its superior qualities of natural strength, resistance and renewability, has been put to great industrial use both historically and, in more recent times, in cutting-edge technology

Q: Why must I pay a $5,000 deposit (plus GST) with my franchise application?

A: This deposit tells us you are serious about becoming a franchisee if the rest of the process is satisfied.

Q: Is this deposit fully refundable?

A: Yes until we get to the Contract Stage (Stage 4 of Our Process). At that stage if the Franchise Contract is not mutually signed for any reason, we retain $1,500 (plus GST) as liquidated damages to compensate us for our time and legal fees. But we refund the rest.

Q: Is the initial franchise fee refundable?

A: No.

Q: What is the initial franchise fee for?

A: This fee gives you the right to use our trademarks and system and to operate a franchised Hempire® business. It also covers your initial training fee and the cost of your grand opening marketing kit.

Q: Are all the initial training costs included in the franchise fee?

A: Yes. But you have to pay the costs of travel, hotel and food as applicable.

Q: Why do I have to pay monthly royalties?

A: You report and pay monthly royalties us to permit you to continue, over the term of the franchise agreement, to be entitled to use our trademarks and system and to operate a franchised Hempire® business.

Q: What is my local advertising investment?

A: It is the marketing and advertising investment you, as a HempireZEE, must make to develop brand awareness in your local market and grow your customer base.

Q: What is the National/Co-Op Ad Fund for?

A: That is the mandatory contribution that every HempireZEE must make to a marketing fund that we, as franchisor, manage and use for overall brand awareness and initiatives that benefit the franchise network on a regional or national level. Those initiatives do not have to benefit any particular HempireZEE nor any particular category of HempireZEE.

Q: What guarantee of profitability or success can you give me?

A: We cannot guarantee any level of profitability or success since that depends on many factors such as the particular business acumen, skills, ambition and dedication of the particular HempireZEE. What we can say is that your success rate improves with how closely you comply with our mandatory business system and methods.

Q: Can I apply for a Hempire® franchise with a partner?

A: Yes but your partner must undergo the same rigorous investigation as you will and we are not obligated to accept your partner.

Q: When I retire or wish to sell, can I pass the business onto anyone I want including my spouse or children?

A: The responsibility for advertising your business-for-sale rests solely with you but we must pre-approve such advertising. We can refuse the sales price you are seeking if it exceeds fair market value since such a price could place an undue burden on an incoming franchisee and place him at risk for bankruptcy. Any successor must be approved by us in advance and undergo the same rigorous investigation as you did and we are not obligated to accept your proposed candidate. A new franchise contract will have to be entered into between us and a successor that we accept and the form of contract may have changed from when you executed your franchise contract with us. Furthermore, new guarantors will be required.

Q: If I live outside Canada, can I still apply to become a HempireZEE?

A: Yes, but rigorous investigation of you and your affairs may be required. Indicate the country, state or regions desired and the majority language if other than English. Any translation costs that may result will rest solely with you. All documents and materials including translations are the sole copyright and property of Hempire®. Outside Canada we prefer arranging a master franchise or area development agreement and so the financial terms stipulated here applicable to unit franchises in Canada may not apply to you. This will be the subject of a negotiation. Furthermore, different skills are required of a master franchisee or area developer than a unit franchisee.