What areas of guidance and assistance does 1 800 Packouts provide to franchisees?
1_800_Packouts Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
[Item 11: FRANCHISOR'S ASSISTANCE, ADVERTISING, COMPUTER SYSTEMS, AND TRAINING]
- (2) Review and approve or disapprove plans and specifications and final construction plans complying with our requirements for design, decoration, furnishings, furniture, layout, equipment, fixtures and signs for a Facility.
We do not provide assistance in providing, delivery, or installation of equipment, signs, fixtures, opening inventory, or supplies, but we do provide written specifications for such items. (Franchise Agreement – Section 3.B)
(3) Specify the Management Systems for the Franchised Business. (Franchise Agreement Section 3.D)
(4) Provide System/Procedure Training, including instruction about how you will make your decisions for employees or contractors (although we will not assist you in the hiring or training of your employees). (Franchise Agreement – Section 4.A)
(5) Provide you with advice, guidance and support in connection with the opening and initial operation of the Franchised Business.
If you request on-site assistance and we are able to schedule such assistance at a mutually agreeable time, you will be required to pay our reasonable fees for such on-site assistance and will be responsible for the reasonable travel, lodging and per diem expenses incurred by our personnel in providing such on-site assistance. (Franchise Agreement – Section 4.C)
- (6) Provide you with access to our Manuals.
The table of contents of our Manuals is attached to this disclosure document as Exhibit D.
The Manuals currently contain approximately 197 pages.
The
Manuals may be modified to reflect changes in the specifications, standards, operating procedures and other obligations in operating Franchised Businesses in our sole discretion. You will be required to adopt any modifications into your Franchised Business, including any adjustments to the minimum and/or maximum prices at which you will sell products or services. (Franchise Agreement – Section 4.G)
Ongoing Assistance
During the operation of the Franchised Business, we or our designee will:
- (1) Give you guidance and assistance in the following areas: (1) methods and techniques for operation of a Franchised Business; (2) national advertising and promotion; (3) the establishment of administrative, bookkeeping, accounting and general operating procedures for the proper operation of the Franchised Business; and (4) any changes in the Franchised Business, authorized services, standards or operating procedures we prescribe for Franchised Businesses. (Franchise Agreement – Section 4.F)
- (2) At your request and expense, provide additional guidance and assistance to you for an hourly charge. (Franchise Agreement – Section 4.F)
- (3) Provide additional training programs, seminars and/or conferences. (Franchise Agreement Section 4.D)
- (4) Revise the Manuals as we deem necessary to reflect changes in the specifications, standards, operating procedures and other obligations in operating Franchised Businesses. (Franchise Agreement – Section 4.G)
- (5) Review and approve suppliers and distributors you would like to use. We have the right to charge a fee to make this evaluation. (Franchise Agreement – Section 10.B.)
- (6) Administer the Brand Fund. (Franchise Agreement − Section 11.E.)
Training By You. You must hire all employees and staff of the Franchised Business, be exclusively responsible for the terms of their employment and compensation, and be exclusively responsible for ensuring that such employees and staff are trained in accordance with the System in the proper operation of the Franchised Business. You acknowledge that you, and not us, are the employer for any employees or personnel of the Franchised Business. We will not provide any hiring assistance, advice or guidance.
Before you open the Franchised Business, we or our designee will:
- (1) Review and approve or disapprove the terms of the lease or purchase contract for the premises of the Franchised Business.
Your proposed location will be approved based upon factors including adequate parking for your vehicle, including any truck or trailer you use and adequate space for the storage of contents which your operations require you to store for customers.
It must also be of adequate size to support your operations and must have high-speed internet access for you and any staff member(s) you retain.
Source: Item 11 — FRANCHISOR'S ASSISTANCE, ADVERTISING, COMPUTER SYSTEMS, AND TRAINING (FDD pages 32–39)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to the 2025 1 800 Packouts Franchise Disclosure Document, 1 800 Packouts offers several forms of assistance to franchisees both before opening and during the operation of the franchise. Before opening, 1 800 Packouts will review and approve or disapprove the lease or purchase contract for the franchise location, ensuring it meets their requirements for parking, storage, size, and internet access. They also review and approve construction plans to ensure they comply with design, decoration, and layout requirements. 1 800 Packouts specifies the management systems franchisees must use.
During the operation of the franchise, 1 800 Packouts provides ongoing guidance and assistance in several key areas, including methods and techniques for operating the business, national advertising and promotion, administrative, bookkeeping, and accounting procedures, and any changes to the franchise system. 1 800 Packouts also revises the manuals as necessary to reflect changes in standards and operating procedures. Franchisees can also request additional guidance and assistance at their own expense, subject to an hourly charge.
1 800 Packouts may also offer additional training programs, seminars, and conferences. They also retain the right to review and approve the suppliers and distributors that franchisees wish to use, potentially charging a fee for this evaluation. Finally, 1 800 Packouts administers the Brand Fund, which is used for national-level marketing and promotional activities. Note that 1 800 Packouts does not assist with hiring or training employees, and franchisees are responsible for all local marketing efforts, although these efforts are subject to 1 800 Packouts's approval.