What is the Afuri Ramen Dumpling franchisee's obligation to upgrade or update computer hardware and software?
Afuri_Ramen_Dumpling Franchise · 2024 FDDAnswer from 2024 FDD Document
Neither we nor our affiliates will have any obligation to provide any ongoing maintenance, repairs, upgrades or updates related to your computer software and hardware. However, you must upgrade or update your computer hardware and software as we may direct during the term of the franchise agreement. There are no contractual limitations on the frequency and cost of this obligation. We estimate that updates or upgrades to your POS System will be approximately $0 to $1,000 per year. If available, updates to our Proprietary Software are included with the software.
In addition to the POS System, you must purchase, use and maintain a computer system with hardware and software as we specify in the Operations Manual or otherwise. If you do not already have the computer systems that we require before you purchase a Franchise, then we estimate the cost of purchasing such systems to be between $200 to $500. This is for communications, accounting, and reporting.
You must have high speed internet service where you will be able to access downloads from us of training materials, operations manual revisions, corporate news, and other materials.
We may require you to use our online portal for updates and information regarding recipes, menu items, and related information. You must have computer systems and internet service that enable you to access the online portal, but you will not be charged a separate fee for use of the online portal.
We may require you to use certain other software and services, such as SmartSheets and Franconnet for the sharing of information. You must have computer systems and internet service that enable you to access such software and services, but you will not be charged a separate fee for use of the software or services.
You must use an approved supplier for merchant processing to accept credit and debit card payments from your customers.
If we require, you must record and transmit all financial information using our designated systems and our designated ISP or other communication vendors. We may at our discretion change standards for reporting to provide effective technology for the entire system. We will have full ability to poll your data, computer systems and related information by means of direct access whether in person or by electronic means. If available, we may update our menu remotely through the Proprietary Software. There will be no contractual limitation on our right to access your information or data. You must cooperate by providing all information necessary for us to have such access, including by providing any identification information and passwords as needed.
Source: Item 11 — Franchisor's Assistance, Advertising, Computer Systems, and Training (FDD pages 27–34)
What This Means (2024 FDD)
According to the 2024 Afuri Ramen Dumpling FDD, while Afuri Ramen Dumpling is not obligated to provide ongoing maintenance, repairs, upgrades, or updates to a franchisee's computer software and hardware, the franchisee is required to upgrade or update their computer hardware and software as directed by Afuri Ramen Dumpling during the term of the franchise agreement. The FDD states there are no contractual limitations on the frequency and cost of this obligation. Afuri Ramen Dumpling estimates that updates or upgrades to the POS System will cost approximately $0 to $1,000 per year. If available, updates to their Proprietary Software are included with the software.
In addition to the POS system, franchisees must purchase, use, and maintain a computer system with hardware and software as specified in the Operations Manual or otherwise. If a franchisee does not already have the required computer systems before purchasing the franchise, the estimated cost of purchasing such systems is between $200 to $500 for communications, accounting, and reporting. Franchisees must also have high-speed internet service to access downloads of training materials, operations manual revisions, corporate news, and other materials.
Afuri Ramen Dumpling may require franchisees to use their online portal for updates and information regarding recipes, menu items, and related information. Franchisees must have computer systems and internet service to access the online portal, but they will not be charged a separate fee for its use. Afuri Ramen Dumpling may also require the use of other software and services, such as SmartSheets and Franconnet, for sharing information, again without a separate fee for use. Franchisees are also required to use an approved supplier for merchant processing to accept credit and debit card payments from customers. If required, franchisees must record and transmit all financial information using Afuri Ramen Dumpling's designated systems and ISP or other communication vendors. Afuri Ramen Dumpling has the full ability to poll franchisee data, computer systems, and related information by direct access, whether in person or by electronic means, with no contractual limitation on their right to access this information or data. Franchisees must cooperate by providing all necessary information for such access, including identification information and passwords.