What kind of expenses are associated with on-site assistance from 1 800 Packouts?
1_800_Packouts Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
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)
Source: Item 11 — FRANCHISOR'S ASSISTANCE, ADVERTISING, COMPUTER SYSTEMS, AND TRAINING (FDD pages 32–39)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to 1 800 Packouts' 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, if a franchisee requests on-site assistance and 1 800 Packouts is able to schedule it at a mutually agreeable time, the franchisee must cover specific expenses. These expenses include 1 800 Packouts' reasonable fees for providing the on-site support. Additionally, the franchisee is responsible for the reasonable travel, lodging, and per diem expenses incurred by 1 800 Packouts' personnel while they are providing the assistance. This means that in addition to paying for the actual consulting or support services, the franchisee will also bear the costs of getting the 1 800 Packouts team to and from the franchise location, as well as their accommodation and daily living expenses during the on-site visit.
This policy is fairly standard in the franchise industry, as franchisors often charge for on-site support beyond the initial training and setup. The "reasonable fees" for the assistance itself are not defined in the FDD, so a prospective franchisee should discuss these fees with 1 800 Packouts to understand the potential costs. It is important to clarify what constitutes "reasonable" in terms of hourly or daily rates for the on-site assistance to avoid unexpected charges.
For a prospective 1 800 Packouts franchisee, this means budgeting not only for the franchise fee, initial investment, and ongoing royalties but also for potential on-site assistance. If challenges arise or additional support is needed, the franchisee will need to factor in these extra costs. Understanding the scope of support provided initially and the potential need for, and cost of, additional on-site assistance is a crucial part of financial planning.