What is the Project Management Fee charged by the third party vendor to the Aplus franchisee?

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

This fee is in addition to the cost of an 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 also generate 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.

For a prospective Aplus franchisee, it is important to factor in this $4,900 project management fee, along with the potential $2,900 as-built site survey cost, when estimating the total investment required to set up the franchise. Understanding what these fees cover—equipment procurement, engineering support, and contractor coordination—can help the franchisee assess the value and plan their budget accordingly.