Paul Swanson has an opportunity to acquire a franchise from The Yogurt Place, Incorporated, to dispense frozen yogurt products under The Yogurt Place name. He assembled the following information relating to the franchise:

A suitable location in a large shopping mall can be rented for $$3,700$ per month.

Remodeling and necessary equipment would cost $$330,000.$ The equipment would have a $20-$year life and a $$16,500$ salvage value. Straight$-$line depreciation would be used, and the salvage value would be considered in computing depreciation.

Based on similar outlets elsewhere, Mr$.$ Swanson estimates sales would total $$400,000$ per year. Ingredients would cost $20\%$ of sales.

Annual operating costs would include $$80,000$ for salaries, $$4,500$ for insurance, $$37,000$ for utilities, and a commission paid to The Yogurt Place, Incorporated, of $12\mathrm{.}5\%$ of sales.

Required:

$1.$ Prepare a contribution format income statement showing the expected net operating income each year from the franchise.

$2-$a$.$ Compute the simple rate of return promised by the franchise.

$2-$b$.$ If Mr$.$ Swanson requires a simple rate of return of at least $20\%,$ should he acquire the franchise?

$3-$a$.$ Compute the payback period on this investment.

$3-$b$.$ If Mr$.$ Swanson wants a payback of three years or less, will he acquire the franchise?