Chapter 493: The Franchise?

"I’m more than confident in brother Xuan Qi’s ability to make money.

"So far things had been going well with his soap and Lin Clan Taste Transcendent Essence business.

"You of all people should know, being one of the dealers for the essence."

Liu Shao slapped his forehead and said, "You are right. I’ve indeed been doing very well with the dealership for the Lin Clan Taste Transcendent Essence."

He poured himself a cup of wine, held it up and said to Lin Xuan Qi, "Brother Xuan Qi, here’s to me having doubts in you. I will go all in being a franchisee too."

With one quick swoop, he downed the wine in a mouthful.

Hun Xiong Kun also chimed in and said, "Don’t leave me out of it."

"I’m glad that you’ve made your decision. I promise that you will not regret this decision." Lin Xuan Qi said and he proposed a toast to the three of them.

While this was going on, the others at the table were dying to figure out what they meant by being a franchisee.

They weren’t too interested in what they were talking about until they heard about the soap and essence business that were under Lin Xuan Qi.

These businesses sprang out of nowhere and there wasn’t any competition.

If this so-called franchise thing was like the soap and essence business, they were interested to find out more and join if it was possible.

They glanced at each other, waiting for someone to make the first move.

But all of them thought about the same thing and it went on until Lin Xuan Qi’s toast with Sima Long, Liu Shao and Hun Xiong Kun was over.

To entice them to make the move, Sima Long had to add on and said, "So many people were asking me about ’Old Lin’s Rice Noodles’ and I can’t wait to be able to start the business with a store."

"Old Lin’s Rice Noodles?" The name rang a bell for some of the men at the table and they knew what it was about.

Their servants and even some of their friends had been talking about it the past few days, saying how delicious it was.

They had heard that it was selling on food carts before, but now, there was the chance to be selling it in stores, and they didn’t want to miss out on it.

One of them cupped his hands at Lin Xuan Qi and said, "I’m so sorry to interrupt.

"I couldn’t help but listened to some of your conversations and I’m so honored to meet someone like you.

"It’s been a long time that I’ve tried to meet the person behind the soap and essence business and I must say, it is such a huge surprise for me that the person behind it is so young."

The others nodded their heads in agreement and one of them chimed in, "Me too, I would never think that it was someone that is at my son’s age.

"If only he was half as capable as you are."

Lin Xuan Qi gave them a smile, cupped his hands at them and said, "You flatter me too much.

"Since we have the fate to be at the same dinner table, here is a toast for all of you."

He picked up his wine cup, downed the wine and they promptly returned his toast.

"I’m Lin Xuan Qi from the Lin Clan, and I’ve only relocated here to the city not too long ago.

"I would be glad to have the honor to meet distinguished businessmen and clan members like you."

"You flatter us too." The others at the table let out a burst of hearty laughter but it worked with some of them stroking their beards with pride.

"No wonder I’ve never seen Master Lin around the city before.

"Didn’t expect you to be new around here.

"I will keep in mind that there is a Lin Clan in Hong Feng City from now on.

"Pleased to meet you, you can call me Old Heng." Some of them started to greet Lin Xuan Qi and introduced themselves.

Lin Xuan Qi greeted them back one by one and it reminded him why he didn’t like to be out having business meetings.

It was a barrage of constant tiring rituals for him.

But it was necessary once in a while and maybe when his two sons were old enough, they could be the ones doing it.

That would, however, take many years and he would have to do it for now.

"Eh... Sorry if I’m uneducated, but what was it that you were discussing about being a franchisee?" Old Heng finally probed with the question that the others eagerly wanted to find out.

"Oh, that franchisee thing, it’s about joining brother Xuan Qi’s franchise to be able to sell the ’Old Lin’s Rice Noodles’.

"Brother Xuan Qi will let you have everything you need.

"The branding, training manuals, ingredients and equipment would be provided." Sima Long interjected and said.

He sat up straight with pride, as it was one of the rare occasions he could show his worth.

Sima Long didn’t want to miss out on it.

Lin Xuan Qi sitting by his side smiled and let him have his moment.

"Everything provided?"

"Yes, everything provided." Lin Xuan Qi nodded and replied.

Old Heng glanced at the others and they too were pondering on it.

"How much for us to join the franchise?" One of them asked.

Lin Xuan Qi saw the interest on their faces and he gave them his answer, "First, the property for the store would be taken care of by me.

"And for the fees to join, usually it will be two hundred taels of silver, but it will be one hundred and fifty taels of silver for you to join the franchise.

"I believe in our fate to be gathered here at the same table so I’m willing to give you a better deal.

"But that’s not all.

"The franchise will be taking a cut of your profit for further development and research.

"And you must also buy a minimum amount of ingredient from the franchise every month."