Risk Score
Pending analysis
Investment Range
$109,000 - $292,250
Franchise Fee
$40,000
Total US Locations
12
Business Summary
Sea Love is a boutique shop that offers customers scent blending experiences and the retail sale of candles, home fragrances, and other related products and services. Sea Love sells a variety of items including candles, home fragrances, apparel, and accessories from its retail locations.
Corporate History
Sea Love Franchise, LLC was established as a Maine limited liability company on February 7, 2022, and began offering franchises in April 2022. The company's principal place of business is in Biddeford, Maine. Sea Love Franchise, LLC operates the Sea Love Boutique franchise system and grants franchises for the development and operation of boutiques. The franchisor does not have any predecessors or a parent company. An affiliate, Sea Love Candles & Company LLC, was established on January 7, 2020, in Maine. This affiliate provides candle products and retail items to franchisees, owns a Sea Love Boutique in York County, Maine, and is the owner of the Licensed Marks.
Financial Overview
Investment Range
$109,000 - $292,250
Franchise Fee (Low)
$40,000
Franchise Fee (High)
$49,500
Royalty %
6%
Marketing %
2%
Equipment Costs (Low)
$23,500
Equipment Costs (High)
$157,750
Working Capital
$12,500
Audited Financials
Yes
Offers Financing
No
Audit Opinion
Unqualified opinion
Financial Health Notes
The franchisor's financial condition, as reflected in its financial statements, raises questions about Sea Love Franchise, LLC's ability to provide services and support to franchisees. This is highlighted as a special risk for potential investors.
Financing Details
Sea Love Franchise, LLC does not offer any direct or indirect financing to franchisees. The franchisor also does not guarantee any franchisee notes, leases, or other obligations. Franchisees are responsible for securing their own funding from third-party sources.
Performance Metrics
Total US Locations
12
Franchised Units
11
Corporate Units
1
Avg Square Footage
1,750
Franchising Since
2022
Legal & Compliance Analysis
Recent Litigation
No
Bankruptcy
No
Litigation Summary
Sea Love Franchise, LLC has no litigation to report, as no litigation is required to be disclosed in Item 3 of the FDD.
Bankruptcy History
Sea Love Franchise, LLC has no bankruptcy history to report, as no bankruptcy information is required to be disclosed in Item 4 of the FDD.
Agreement Terms
Initial Term
10 years
Renewal Term
10 years
Renewal Conditions
To renew their franchise, Sea Love franchisees must be in compliance with their Franchise Agreement and provide 180 days written notice of their intent to renew. They are required to sign Sea Love Franchise, LLC's then-current Franchise Agreement and related agreements, which may have materially different terms. Franchisees must also sign a general release in favor of the franchisor, pay a renewal fee of $7,500, and remodel and upgrade their Boutique to meet current brand standards. Owners and their spouses must guarantee the terms of the new agreement. Franchisees must also secure the legal right to continue occupying their Boutique location and complete any additional training required by Sea Love Franchise, LLC.
Training & Support Program
Franchisor Assistance
Sea Love Franchise, LLC assists franchisees with various aspects of opening and operating their boutique. Before opening, the franchisor grants the franchise right, defines the designated territory (upon site approval), provides access to the confidential Operations Manual, and reviews and approves proposed sites. Sea Love Franchise, LLC also provides lists of approved suppliers, signage, equipment, furniture, and fixtures, and identifies the franchisee's boutique on the brand's website. Initial training, lasting approximately two weeks and totaling 54 hours, is provided for the franchisee's managing owner and one designated manager at no additional fee, often at the Biddeford, Maine facility or remotely. After opening, Sea Love Franchise, LLC may require supplemental on-site training (for a fee of $300 per trainer per day plus expenses) and provides communications on operating standards, marketing standards, and approved vendors. The franchisor may also coordinate an annual system conference (with an attendance fee of up to $1,500) and administers a Brand Development Fund for system-wide marketing. Sea Love Franchise, LLC designates specific pricing and promotions for products and services. However, the franchisor does not provide assistance with hiring or training employees.
Initial Training Hours
54
Training Location
Biddeford, ME
Ongoing Support
After opening, Sea Love Franchise, LLC may require franchisees and their operating managers to participate in supplemental on-site training, for which a fee of $300 per trainer per day plus travel expenses is charged. The franchisor establishes, updates, and communicates standards and procedures for boutique operations, including Approved Products and Services, System Supplies, and marketing. They provide lists of approved vendors and may coordinate an annual System Conference (with an attendance fee up to $1,500, not exceeding three days annually, with travel and lodging at the franchisee's expense). Sea Love Franchise, LLC also administers the Brand Development Fund, sets marketing standards and approvals, and designates pricing for products and services. The franchisor does not assist with employee hiring or training.
Franchise Requirements
Ideal Candidate Profile
Sea Love Franchise, LLC requires the franchisee's Managing Owner to be personally responsible for the management and overall supervision of the boutique. While day-to-day, on-site participation is recommended, a franchisee may hire an Operating Manager to handle these tasks, provided the manager meets the franchisor's standards, completes initial training, and signs a confidentiality agreement. All owners and their spouses must personally guarantee the franchisee's obligations.
Industry Experience Required
No
Management Experience Required
Yes
Sales Experience Required
No
Technical Skills Required
No
Operational Details
Location Type
retail
Owner Participation
supervisory
Territory Type
protected
Territory Size Requirements
Sea Love Franchise, LLC defines the Designated Territory for each boutique as the smaller of either a 1-mile radius from the approved Boutique Location (travelable by road) or an area encompassing a population of 100,000 people. If the boutique is located in a shopping mall, downtown area, or similar facility with a captive market, the Designated Territory may be limited to the physical boundaries of that facility. Territories may also be identified using zip codes, boundary streets, highways, county lines, or other recognizable demarcations.
Staffing Notes
Sea Love Franchise, LLC does not assist with hiring and training employees; franchisees are solely responsible for their staff's management and supervision. All employees must wear approved System branded apparel and uniforms. Franchisees must ensure all System Supplies and Approved Products and Services are prepared, maintained, and served according to System standards and the Operations Manual. Each boutique must be managed and supervised on-site by either the Managing Owner or an approved Operating Manager. If a franchisee operates multiple boutiques, each must have an on-site Operating Manager. Managers and other employees with access to confidential information must sign a confidentiality agreement.