Chapter 183 I can rent it out at a low price

“Sorry, General Manager Chen previously had a rule that this coffee shop does not accept franchises, only direct-operated stores.”

Su Dan’s eyes held an apologetic look; General Manager Chen had told them about this direct-operation policy when signing the contract.

No franchises, only direct-operated stores?

Lin Mei was a bit puzzled by this. coffee shops or milk tea shops like this usually expand through franchises.

After all, opening direct-operated stores requires greater capital, as well as more human resources and energy to manage and operate.

But doing franchises is different; not only can one earn franchise fees, but the investment is also much less, equivalent to greatly reducing the risk.

Some brand owners even make money solely by earning franchise fees from franchisees.

However, she wasn't insistent on franchising this coffee shop. Since they didn't accept franchises, then so be it.

“Alright, your coffee is good, but it’s a bit far from my home, so I probably won’t be able to drink it often.”

Lin Mei sighed, feeling a bit regretful.

“Teacher Su, hasn’t General Manager Chen already prepared to open a branch? Where will that branch be located?”

Wu Yu spoke up at the right time. Since Lin Mei felt this location was a bit far, perhaps the branch's location would be closer.

“The location for the branch hasn’t been decided yet, so we’re not sure where it will be.”

Su Dan replied, a bitter smile in her heart.

Among the conditions General Manager Chen gave her, one was very difficult to fulfill.

That was finding commercial properties for sale. If they were ordinary locations, there would certainly be properties for sale, but it was hard to find any for sale near Starbucks; most were for rent.

After all, Starbucks locations are typically in places with good foot traffic. Such places are in high demand, and there’s no situation where commercial properties can't be rented out.

As long as it's a normal owner, without any urgent special circumstances, they would never choose to sell.

After all, renting provides a continuous income.

So, for the past two days, they had been continuously selecting locations.

Of course, General Manager Chen didn’t require them to buy, but she had to ensure that if they truly couldn't buy, only then could she choose to rent a property.

When Lin Mei heard Su Dan’s words, her eyes lit up, and she turned to look at her companion beside her.

“Shuyun, don’t you have quite a few commercial properties? Pick a suitable one.”

Her mahjong friend was an old relocation household; when they were relocated back then, she didn't know how many houses she received.

The reason she could live so comfortably now was nothing more than a huge relocation compensation payment, and then collecting rent.

A genuine landlady.

“Um, do you have any requirements for the commercial property? I can help you choose.”

Lin Mei’s friend looked at Su Dan. She did have a few commercial properties whose leases had expired, and the original tenants did not intend to renew.

Su Dan heard this and explained General Manager Chen’s requirements, though she didn’t hold much hope.

“I see. I do have a commercial property that meets your location requirements, but I don’t plan to sell it. If you want to rent it, I can offer it at 20% below market price.”

As a landlady,

these properties were her foundation. Selling them would undoubtedly shake her foundation.

However, this coffee shop was good, and she really liked drinking their coffee.

The commercial property that met the requirements happened to be two adjacent units, not far from her home.

If the coffee shop chose her property, she could open a Clothing Factory next door, making it much more convenient for her to have coffee whenever she wanted.

So, selling was not an option, but she could offer a very low rental price.

Su Dan was somewhat tempted by the other party’s words. 20% below market price would undoubtedly save a lot of money.

Currently, the coffee shop hadn’t made a profit, so being able to save some funds for General Manager Chen would be very good.

Thinking of this, she looked up at the other party.

“Can we exchange contact information? If I decide to rent, I will get back to you within the next two days.”

If she truly couldn't find a commercial property that met the requirements and was available for sale, she would choose this one.

After exchanging contact information,

Su Dan chatted briefly about coffee before turning to leave.

After all, Wu Yu was still discussing the agency matter, and she didn't want to disturb him too much.

After some more time,

she saw Wu Yu take out the contract he had prepared earlier, knowing that the agency matter had been settled.

“Lin Jie, thank you very much this time.”

After signing the contract,

Wu Yu escorted the group to the entrance of the coffee shop, looking at Lin Mei and thanking her.

The contract was signed so readily entirely because Lin Mei had helped.

“If you want to thank me, you can. Next time the coffee shop opens a branch, help arrange for one to open near my home, and that’ll be enough.”

Lin Mei chuckled softly.

“I’ll do my best.”

Wu Yu replied with a smile, not giving a definite answer.

After all, he was an employee of the Clothing Factory and couldn't interfere with the coffee shop’s matters. All he could do was mention it to Teacher Su and the others.

Whether it would be adopted was beyond his control.

Inside the coffee shop,

after Wu Yu and the others left, it once again returned to a quiet state.

Song Xia rested her chin on one hand, looking at the bustling crowd outside, her face full of worry.

Today was Saturday, and the pedestrian street was much livelier than usual, but there were still not many customers inside the coffee shop.

It wasn’t that there were few customers; many customers did come in, but most were deterred by the expensive coffee prices.

Those who stayed were either curious or wanted to save face and felt embarrassed to leave.

But such people were ultimately a minority. Today’s largest revenue was still the five 188s contributed by Wu Yu.

What should be done?

“Song Xia Jie, how have you and Teacher Su considered my previous suggestion?”

Zhou Mei leaned over and asked with an expectant look.

Ever since she proposed the Maid Cafe, Song Xia and Teacher Su hadn't given her a reply, which made her a bit anxious.

Song Xia looked up at Zhou Mei, recalling her previous suggestion.

To be honest, she didn't quite understand cosplay, but yesterday she looked up some information and found that this group was quite large, and there were also events like comic conventions.

However, she checked coffee shops in China and found no precedent for a Maid Cafe.

So, she and Teacher Su had been hesitating and hadn't made a decision.

After thinking for a moment, she spoke.

“Your suggestion is indeed very novel, but currently, this type of coffee shop hasn’t been market-tested, so it’s not easy for us to make a decision lightly. If there’s truly no other way, we will adopt this suggestion.”

“Good, I am very optimistic about the Maid Cafe.”

Zhou Mei said with confidence.

“Then do you have any specific plans and methods for attracting customer traffic after opening?”

Song Xia looked at Zhou Mei. This was the question she cared about most.