Grocery Store FAQ
1. What type of licenses will I have to acquire to own a grocery store?
While laws vary from state to state (in Connecticut, for instance, you will need a retail store license to sell milk), you may need separate licenses for the sale of alcohol, over the counter drugs, baked goods and prescription drugs.
2. Where can I go for more information?The Federal Trade Commission has prepared a booklet on franchise ownership that includes grocery stores. It is available at http://www.franchiseworks.com/faq.aspx. For more information on alcohol sales, start with two websites: The U.S. Department of Justice Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco & Firearms (http://www.atf.gov) and the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (www.ttb.gov). Then visit the official websites for your city and state for information on public health laws and licenses regarding food sales.
3. Are there additional training/assistance programs available for convenience storeowners?Several states offer free training programs for business owners, as well as managers and employees. These programs cover a variety of topics, from recognizing fake IDs to handling an intoxicated customer. Consult your state's website for more information.
4. What is a disclosure document and why is it so important?Franchisors must supply a disclosure document to a potential franchisee prior to collecting any fees. This document must contain the business and litigation history of the franchise, a breakdown of all costs related to starting and operating a franchise, and training requirements. Review this document carefully to avoid any unpleasant surprises after the contracts are signed.
5. Why do I need a POS system for a grocery store business?A point-of-sale system serves two important functions. At the cash register, the system processes each customer purchase quickly and accurately. In addition to functionality at checkout, a POS system should also handle inventory management and back-office administration. A POS system collects and correlates data on vendors, products, customers and cashiers, and allows users to access that data in the form of reports. These reports can impact marketing and management decisions that will separate stores that are successful from those that are not.
This information has is presented by Comcash, creators of the Comcash POS system, now in use in thousands of grocery stores, convenience stores and restaurants across the USA. The Comcash system combines speed and reliability with the inventory data and other information necessary to run a successful business.
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