Is 7 Brew or its affiliates obligated to provide ongoing maintenance, repairs, upgrades, or updates for the Computer System?

According to 7 Brew's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, neither 7 Brew nor its affiliates are obligated to provide ongoing maintenance, repairs, upgrades, or updates for the required Computer System. The franchisee is responsible for acquiring, operating, maintaining, and upgrading the Computer System. This includes ensuring it interfaces correctly with 7 Brew's and any third party's systems and complying with Payment Card Industry Data Security Standards and all relevant laws. The franchisee bears all consequences if the Computer System is not properly maintained and upgraded.

While 7 Brew does not provide ongoing maintenance, the franchisee must purchase the first year of software and hardware support when initially purchasing the point-of-sale system. After the first year, the franchisee must renew the hardware maintenance, software maintenance, support, and hosted software annually. The estimated cost for these ongoing services ranges from $6,000 to $10,000 per year. The franchisee is also obligated to upgrade the Computer System and obtain necessary service and support as required by 7 Brew or due to technological advancements.

This arrangement places the onus on the franchisee to manage the Computer System's upkeep and compliance, which is a common practice in franchising. However, the franchisee must budget for the annual maintenance costs and be prepared to handle any issues that arise. The franchisee must also stay informed about technological developments and compliance requirements to ensure the Computer System remains up-to-date and secure.