THE F.R.I.E.N.D.S. CENTER

With your generosity, we are looking to the future.

The need has never been greater and F.R.I.E.N.D.S. is poised to answer the call and establish the F.R.I.E.N.D.S. CENTER.

We are at the beginning stages of planning and want to bring a place that will be that will transforms the lives of people with Down syndrome and special needs in our Tampa Bay area.  We will create a space that reflects the potential of every person worth special needs and will foster community and develop services for the enhancement of our community.

With the support of donors like you we look forward to building a campus that will expand our programs.



Dear Future Partner,

F.R.I.E.N.D.S. Down syndrome/Special needs is looking for a space we can use to set up and receive our special needs community. We need a Front office, Ball/Banquet Room with kitchen, a Coffee & Tea Shop space,

Classrooms, Athletic Room, and a outside playground.

F.R.I.E.N.D.S. is a 501c3, non-profit, public charity, that has been serving the Tampa Bay area since 2007.  We provide vital programs, support meetings, expectant parents counseling, fun family activities and dances for our special needs community. At this time, our special needs community does not have a place that our families can meet, so we must borrow space every time we want to provide an activity.

Imagine if you found out that the baby you just delivered has Down syndrome and you want to talk to someone and obtain the information and support you so desperately need? The F.R.I.E.N.D.S. Center is the answer. F.R.I.E.N.D.S. will provide parents a welcoming place to gain support and guidance. Our special needs children will be able to play in a safe, welcoming space, meet other children with special needs, and make life-long friends. There will be no fear of ostracization, discrimination, or bullying.

F.R.I.E.N.D.S. wants to provide our special needs adults job training and jobs! Once our adults finish high school, getting the job training they need is extremely difficult. Socially, our adults are isolated and alone, with little or no connections to the community. They desperately need a place to socialize, to feel accepted, and become part a group. Once these two areas are provided you will have a happy and productive member of society!

F.R.I.E.N.D.S. will provide services to bring in revenue to offset the costs of running the F.R.I.E.N.D.S. center. The first will be to rent out the Ball/Banquet room for private parties and for a fee provide the Activity room for special birthday parties. The second would be a small Coffee Shop and Tea Room, open to the public with a distinct small menu for each. Our adults will be trained to work in the Coffee shop, Tea Room, and Baby Friends playroom. It is a win, win for everyone and I hope you see the value and worth it can bring to our community. Would you consider making a gift to F.R.I.E.N.D.S. by donating a building or office space that our non-profit could use?

Thank you for your consideration.

Sincerely,

Ann Foyt, R.N.

F.R.I.E.N.D.S. – EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

THE FRIENDS CENTER Business Plan Prepared by Ann Foyt, R.N. (813) 245-2782 info@friendssupport.org


Executive Summary

The F.R.I.E.N.D.S. Center (referred to from hereon as F.R.I.E.N.D.S.) is intended to be established as a C-corporation, with the expectation of rapid expansion in the special needs job training industry.  F.R.I.E.N.D.S. solicits financial banking to be able to introduce this new product.

 

Business Description

F.R.I.E.N.D.S. shall be formed as a C-corporation under Florida state law and headed by the current Board of F.R.I.E.N.D.S.

Ann Foyt, R.N. – Executive Director of the F.R.I.E.N.D.S. DOWN SYNDROME/SPECIAL NEEDS 501c3 Non-profit and has been a full-time volunteered since May 2014.

Paul Foyt – Events Volunteer and Lead Volunteer for the Raymond James Legends Hospitality nonprofit program, has been a part-time volunteer since 2014. 

Tish Knotek – Board Officer and Events Volunteer of F.R.I.E.N.D.S. DOWN SYNDROME/SPECIAL NEEDS and has been a part-time volunteer since 2016.

 

Management Team

F.R.I.E.N.D.S. Mission is to provide support and information to parents and individuals with special needs. Offer vital year-round programs, fun activities, job training and employment to special needs adults. F.R.I.E.N.D.S. will serve the Brandon area with plans to open centers in Tampa and Clearwater.

 

Product

F.R.I.E.N.D.S. primary product will be the Distinguished Coffee & Tea Company – A fun coffee house, divided into two parts, a front with a masculine feel that serves specialized coffees and a small menu of delicious sandwiches and sweet treats. The back will host a feminine side with our elegant Tea Room that provides a proper English tea, served with delicious tea sandwiches, scones, clotted cream, fruit tarts, and a selection of yummy quiche’s. 

Adults with special needs will be trained how to make all the food offered to our hungry customers.

The Coffee room will serve coffee and food at competitive prices.

The Tea room will book a table for $35/person.

In a building next Distinguished Coffee & Tea Company will be our F.R.I.E.N.D.S. DOWN SYNDROME/SPECIAL NEEDS Activity Center.

Families & Individuals with special needs will be able to participate and enjoy in:

  • vital support group meetings
  • educational & helpful seminars
  • fun playgroups
  • music classes
  • enjoy movies in the media room.
  • romp around the playroom

 

Two classrooms will be set up to teach Baby Sitting and Food Preparation.  Those adults who prefer working with the special needs community can help with Playgroups and babysitting during our meetings and seminars.

The second classroom will be set up for Food prep and students will learn how to cook scones, quiche, cookies, and other yummy foods that will be served in the Distinguished Coffee & Tea Company. 

A Ballroom/Venue room will be rented out to the public for events, special occasions for $300 deposit, $300 for the event, $100 cleaning fee.

Our playgroup room and Romper Room can be utilized for an extra fee of $100/per room.

Birthday parties $100 for our Special Needs families and $200 for the public.

Adults working in the Center and Coffee/Tea room will be paid minimum wage.

Funding Request

F.R.I.E.N.D.S. requests a total loan of $200,000.00 over the course of 30 years to be used for the following purposes:

  • Coffee & Tea Room $100,000
  • Classrooms $10,000
  • Job Skills Rooms $10,000
  • Ball Room $10,000
  • Kitchen $50,000
  • Romper Room $10,000
  • Playground $10,000

Money/Grants
  • NDSS/VOYA GRANT

https://www.ndss.org/engage/ndss-scholarships/ndss-voya-entrepreneur-grants/

  • GLOBAL DOWN SYNDROME GRANT

https://www.globaldownsyndrome.org/self-advocate-employment-grants/

Industry Overview/Competition

There are a handful of day programs that offer limited job training and gainful employment here in the Tampa Bay area. 

  • GiGi’s Playhouse
  • Quest Day Programs
  • McDonalds Training
  • Starbucks
  • Victorian Tea Room
  • We Rock the Spectrum 

Each of these is in Tampa and does not offer services in Brandon and other service areas surrounding Brandon.  We believe that F.R.I.E.N.D.S. has the advantage as there is a large special needs community in the Brandon area. 

 

Business Goals and Objectives

Short Term F.R.I.E.N.D.S. will:

Provide the special needs community with a place they can seek information, education, advocacy, and support. We will continue with our fundraising events.

Provide a safe place, in an accepting and warm environment, to meet with friends and enjoy time together.

Give our special needs adults a purpose, job training skills and employment.  They will become a productive, valuable citizen in the Tampa Bay area.

Give families a Venue to rent for special occasions that is special needs kid friendly and fun.

The community will be presented with a unique and fun Coffee and Tea house that will promote our special needs adults in a positive light.  Not only will they be buying a cup of coffee or tea, but they will be rewarded in the knowledge that they are helping a special needs adult belong in the world.

Long Term F.R.I.E.N.D.S. will:

  • Be an established special needs organization that is supported by Tampa Bay.
  • Open a center in Tampa and Clearwater.
  • Offer Franchises.

Legal Issues

F.R.I.E.N.D.S. affirms that its promoters have acquired all legally required trademarks and patents.

Marketing Summary

Target Markets

  • The special needs individuals & families.
  • Special Needs adults seeking employment.
  • Parents looking for a Playgroup with Romper room for playdates.
  • Coffee & Tea drinkers.
  • People looking for a venue to host an occasion.

A Ballroom/Venue room will be rented out to the public for events, special occasions for $300 deposit, $300 for the event, $100 cleaning fee.

Our Playgroup and Romper Room can be utilized for an extra fee of $100/per room.

Birthday parties $100 for our Special Needs families and $200 for the public.

Adults working in the Center and Coffee/Tea room will be paid minimum wage.

Promotional Strategy

F.R.I.E.N.D.S. will promote sales using the following methods:

  • Advertising
  • Facebook and other social media
  • Direct Mailings
  • Word of mouth
  • Printed Ads

Financial Plan

Two competitive franchises are offered:

  • Bitty & Beaus - Franchise sells for $40,000 with a capital of $140,000 with a return in the $150,000 to $200, 000-year range.
  • Gigi’s Playhouse – Franchise sells for $100,000.
  • We Rock the Spectrum – Franchise sells for $100,000. With a return in the $150,000 to $200, 000-year range.

EMPLOYEES

Chef/Baker $30,000

Bookkeeper $30,000

Waiter/Waitress $19,500

Busser $19,500

Office Manager $30,000       

 

FRIENDS COFFEE & TEA MENU

Coffee Shop

Latte, Cappuccino, Macchiato $4
Iced Coffee $4
Specialty Coffee $7
Pancakes, French Toast $5
Biscuit & Bagel Breakfast Sandwiches $6
Breakfast Burrito $5
Grilled Cheese, BLT $5
Chicken Salad, Curry Chicken Salad, Chicken Salad w/grapes $5
Bagel w/cream cheese $5
Scones $6
Donuts $2
Salads $10
Wraps $7
Cake $5
Cupcakes $3
Milk, Soda, Water, Iced Tea $5


Tea Shoppe

$35/person

Soup – Tomato, Chicken & Wild Rice
Three tier tower of finger sandwiches
Chicken Salad, Pimento cheese, Tuna salad, Ham salad.
Bacon & Cheddar cheese Quiche
Blueberry & Orange Scones
Two tea choices Early Grey & Chamomile
Soup and Salad $15
Chicken Pot Pie $10
Wraps $8.00
Cake $5
Cupcakes $3
Milk, Soda, Water, Iced Tea $5
Tea Parties – Bridal showers, baby showers, birthday parties, Mother’s Day Teas    
Theme Birthday parties “Mad Hatter”, Princess,     


Coffee Shop Equipment List

o          Automatic Drip Coffee Makers
o          A High-Quality Espresso Machine
o          An Industrial Coffee Grinder
o          POS System and Website
o          Cups, Plates, Silverware, Paper Coffee cups
o          Paper products
o          Coffee, Tea, Sugar, Flour
o          Milk and Water
o          Industrial Blenders
o          Ovens and Toasters
o          Refrigerators and Freezers
o          Shelving
o          Containers, Pumps, and Storage
o          A Security System
o          Business and liability insurance
o          Foods and drinks handler certificate
o          Health inspection Certificate
o          Proof of district-issued food and drinks manager identification card
o          Food purchase record storage and record keeping
o          Copy of license for the service support, recent inspection report.
o          Taxpayer’s ID
o          Fire certificate
o          Kitchen insurance
o          Certificate of Incorporation
o          Business License
o          Business Plan
o          Non – disclosure Agreement
o          Employment Agreement (offer letters)
o          Employee’s Handbook
o          Operating Agreement for LLCs
o          Building License
o          Music License
o          Franchise or Trademark License 

If you are interested in becoming an investor, please contact us at (813)245-2782 or send email to info@friendssupport.org.