Frequently Asked Questions

Q - Do I have to be a wine expert to own a Reserve List franchise?
A - No. It is helpful if you have a solid understanding of wine, but it is not necessary to be an expert. It is more important that you have a passion for wine and a willingness to learn more. We will train you on a continual basis to help you enhance your knowledge of wine.

Q - Do I have an inventory management system?
A - Yes. We provide you with an inventory management system that is used by every franchisee as well as the corporate office. You will be trained on the system during your training program at the corporate office in San Diego, CA.

Q - Do I have to select my own wines to put in my store?
A - No. We handle all wine selection from our corporate office. We have a team of sommeliers who continually search across the world and taste thousands of wines to find the best wines for the value. This is one of the many ways we add value to our franchisees.

Q - Are there standard operating procedures in place?
A - Yes. Upon completion of your training in San Diego, you will receive the complete Reserve List Operations Manual. This will be the main resource for you to use to on a daily basis to operate your business as effectively as possible.

Q - How do I select the right site?
A - We will assist you in finding a location for you to operate your business. We have relationships established with real estate firms across the country and have a store guideline and selection procedure that we use to find the best possible locations for your business in your area.

Q - What is the investment requirement for a Reserve List franchise?
A - The average investment is approximately $100,000, plus working capital.

Q - Is financing available from Reserve List?
A - We do not directly finance franchise businesses. However, we do have relationships in place at major lending agencies that are familiar with our business and comfortable with the business model, making it easier to obtain a loan.

Q - What kind of training will I receive?
A - Every Reserve List franchisee will go through the three day training at our headquarters in San Diego, CA prior to opening your store. In addition to the pre-opening training, you will also receive support from a Reserve List field support person who will assist you in the initial opening of your store.

Q - What is the term of the franchise agreement?
A - The term of the franchise agreement is 10 years.

Q - What is the renewal process and what are the costs?
A - Yes. The renewal agreement is subject to our approval. The renewal fee is $2,500 per ten year term.

Q - Can I sell my franchise?
A - Yes. The buyer must be approved by Reserve List and there may be fees associated with the transfer of the franchise to cover administrative time and legal expenses.