Tis’ the season for rocky mountatin chocolate factory fun

By Jesse Bilderback

For the fourth time the Craig School of Business will be awarding a Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory franchise to one of ten students enrolled in management 499.

The ten students will be involved in a semester long competition with one another. Three of the ten that prepare the best business plan will then be selected for internships at one of the previously awarded franchises. A panel will then select one of the students to receive the franchise.

This idea of awarding an RMCF franchise to a student came to fruition by Missouri Western Alumni Steven Craig, of whom the business school is named after. Craig is the founder of Craig Reality, which manages several outlet malls all over the United States. Craig believes that small businesses are the strength of our economy.

Craig approached RMCF about giving students the opportunity to compete for a franchise that would be located within one of his outlet malls. The company agreed to join together with Craig to make this prospect possible for the students.

Carol Roever, former Dean of CSB, says that since this program was started it has been a great success and she hopes it can continue to grow. Roever stated that Western’s CSB is the only school she knows of that offers this type of award for hard working students that want to become entrepreneurs

“The three previous winners are doing well with their franchises,” Roever said. “They have really embraced the opportunity and are working hard to be successful.”

The prior winners are Seth Lyons, Brady Ellis and Robert Schimming. Lyons was given a franchise in Silverthorne, Colo. Ellis received a franchise in Vicksburg, Miss. Schimming opened a third one in Lake Elsinore, Calif. The forth store will open in Manteca, Calif. once the winner is chosen this summer.

The stores are not completely free however. A franchise would normally cost roughly $350,000 to buy, but CSB students pay around $150,000 for one. In addition to the huge discount, Craig offers the students the loan with minimal interest and up to five years to pay it back.

The winners of the RMCF must also make a financial donation to the CSB and return to Western to speak to business students. The financial donation is based off a percentage of their profits.

Greg Pope, senior vice president of franchise development for RMCF, says that the franchise winners have been doing a great job running their businesses. Pope stated that he heard Ellis plans to pay his loan off in two years and is on track to do so.

“I am very pleased with what I am hearing about their profitability and pay back schedule,” Pope said.

Pope says he is not worried about turning the RMCF brand over to students that have little or no hands on business experience.

“When you consider the education background and the curriculum that’s in front of them, I feel they have a great chance for success,” Pope said.

The students enrolled in the management 499 class are eager to make their bid at becoming an RMCF owner. The students have been working hard all semester in preparation for the competition.

Leslie Oberg, Western senior, is one of the students competing for the franchise. Leslie says she understands the magnitude of what is at stake in the contest.

“I would have never been given this opportunity if it wasn’t for the Craig School Business and Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory,” Oberg said.

Darby Meehan, Western senior, is another student that is competing for the store. Darby feels his experience will give him an edge in the running.

“I work full-time, attend classes full-time and have a family,” Darby said. “I see this opportunity as a journey or adventure; it’s a win-win situation.”

The students competing now and the previous winners all agree that everyone involved with the CSB has been of great help. Several staff members are at their disposal if they need help with anything.

The students are very grateful to Steven Craig and the Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory for giving them what they feel is the opportunity of a lifetime.