What is the 'Omni-Channel Software' and how does it benefit Batteries Plus Bulbs franchisees?
Batteries_Plus_Bulbs Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
- B. The Company has licensed software for use in back-office computers for tracking, analyzing and reporting sales, inventory and other operational information, customized for use in the Franchised Business (the "Back Office Software"). The Company also has developed other customized or proprietary software, including proprietary software that allows Batteries Plus® franchisees to more fully participate in the Company's "Omni-Channel Program" (the "Omni-Channel Software"). The Back Office Software, Omni-Channel Software and other customized or proprietary software provided to Licensee are collectively referred to as the "Software."
Franchisee will be required to participate in such Program and must comply with the terms of the Omni-Channel Program (or future or successor electronic or digital commerce program(s)) as described in the Operations Manual.
Franchisee must pay Franchisor an Omni-Channel access fee in the amount of Ten Thousand Dollars ($10,000) before it opens the Store.
In addition, Franchisee must pay Franchisor the then-current fees associated with the Omni-Channel Program.
As of the Effective Date, Franchisee must pay a maintenance fee of Two Hundred Dollars ($200) per month.
Franchisor operates, within the Omni-Channel Program, a "Key Accounts Program" designed to address the needs of certain multi-state, multiple location or specialized service customers including group purchasing organizations, insurance providers and other large volume users with customized needs or multiple shipping/service destinations.
Franchisee will participate in a Batteries Plus® website listed on the Internet or other online communications and participate in any Franchisor-controlled intranet system.
- B. Omni-Channel Software Updates. The Company may, in its sole discretion, periodically release updates, modifications and enhancements respecting the Omni-Channel Software. Licensee will install any fixes, updates, modifications or enhancements which the Company designates as mandatory. The Company may charge a reasonable fee for its services, including any services or expenses relating to updates, modifications, and enhancements to the Omni-Channel Software which it elects to release.
8. WARRANTY DISCLAIMER
THE COMPANY DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES, EXPRESS, IMPLIED, OR STATUTORY, INCLUDING NON-INFRINGEMENT (EXCEPT AS PROVIDED IN SECTION 7(A) or 7(B) ABOVE), MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE RESPECTING THE SOFTWARE. THE COMPANY DOES NOT WARRANT THAT THE OMNI-CHANNEL SOFTWARE IS ERROR-FREE OR THAT USE OF THE OMNI-CHANNEL SOFTWARE WILL BE FREE FROM MINOR INTERRUPTIONS.
Source: Item 22 — Contracts (FDD page 80)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to the 2025 Batteries Plus Bulbs FDD, the Omni-Channel Software is proprietary software that allows Batteries Plus Bulbs franchisees to more fully participate in the company's Omni-Channel Program. The Omni-Channel Program also includes a Key Accounts Program designed to address the needs of multi-state, multiple location, or specialized service customers, including group purchasing organizations, insurance providers, and other large volume users with customized needs or multiple shipping/service destinations. Franchisees are required to participate in both the Omni-Channel Program and the Key Accounts Program. Franchisees also participate in a Batteries Plus Bulbs website listed on the Internet or other online communications and participate in any Franchisor-controlled intranet system.
Participation in the Omni-Channel Program requires franchisees to pay an Omni-Channel access fee of $10,000 before opening their store. Additionally, franchisees must pay a monthly maintenance fee of $200, which is due at the same time and in the same manner as the Royalty and Service Fee. Batteries Plus Bulbs may change or alter the monthly maintenance fee or impose other fees with thirty days' written notice to the franchisee.
Batteries Plus Bulbs will provide updates, modifications, and enhancements to the Omni-Channel Software periodically, and franchisees are required to install any updates that Batteries Plus Bulbs designates as mandatory. Batteries Plus Bulbs may charge a reasonable fee for these services, including services or expenses relating to updates, modifications, and enhancements to the Omni-Channel Software. While the software aims to enhance business operations, Batteries Plus Bulbs disclaims all warranties regarding the software, including that it will be error-free or free from interruptions. The company's liability to the franchisee will not exceed the amounts the franchisee pays to the company under the agreement.