What is the Project Management Fee charged to an Aplus franchisee by the third-party vendor, and what does it cover?

According to Aplus's 2024 Franchise Disclosure Document, a third-party vendor charges franchisees a Project Management Fee of $4,900. This fee covers the procurement of required equipment, engineering support for the project, and coordination with the franchisee's general contractor.

This fee is in addition to other potential costs, such as the as-built site survey, which is approximately $2,900 if the franchisee does not already have one in AutoCAD format. The third-party vendor will create an architectural as-built in AutoCAD to Aplus specifications, including floor plans, interior and exterior elevations, and photographs. They will also design the store layout according to Aplus standards and submit it to Sunoco and the franchisee for review and approval.

Prospective Aplus franchisees should factor this $4,900 project management fee into their initial investment costs, along with the as-built survey fee if applicable. Understanding what this fee covers can help franchisees budget appropriately for the store build-out and ensure they receive the necessary support from the third-party vendor during the construction phase.