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

1. A suitable location in a large shopping mall can be rented for $4,400 per month.
2. Remodeling and necessary equipment would cost $372,000. The equipment would have a 10-year life and a $37,200 salvage value. Straight-line depreciation would be used, and the salvage value would be considered in computing depreciation.
3. Based on similar outlets elsewhere, Mr. Swanson estimates that sales would total $470,000 per year. Ingredients would cost 20% of sales.
4. Operating costs would include $87,000 per year for salaries, $5,200 per year for insurance, and $44,000 per year for utilities. In addition, Mr. Swanson would have to pay a commission to The Yogurt Place, Inc., of 12.5% of sales.

Required:

1. Prepare a contribution format income statement that shows the expected net operating income each year from the franchise outlet.

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

2-b. If Mr. Swanson requires a simple rate of return of at least 18%, should he acquire the franchise?

3-a. Compute the payback period on the outlet.

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

The Sweetwater Candy Company would like to buy a new machine that would automatically dip chocolates. The dipping operation currently is done largely by hand. The machine the company is considering costs $170,000. The manufacturer estimates that the machine would be usable for five years but would require the replacement of several key parts at the end of the third year. These parts would cost $9,800, including installation. After five years, the machine could be sold for $6,000.

The company estimates that the cost to operate the machine will be $7,800 per year. The present method of dipping chocolates costs $38,000 per year. In addition to reducing costs, the new machine will increase production by 5,000 boxes of chocolates per year. The company realizes a contribution margin of $1.25 per box. A 16% rate of return is required on all investments.

Click here to view Exhibit 12B-1 and Exhibit 12B-2, to determine the appropriate discount factor(s) using tables.

Required:

1. What are the annual net cash inflows that will be provided by the new dipping machine?

2. Compute the new machines net present value.