What is the maximum monthly fee for Mailchimp software for a Bee Organized franchise?
Bee_Organized Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
| Type of Fee (Note 1) | Amount | Due Date | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Royalty (Notes 2 and 3) | Greater of 8% of Gross Sales or Minimum Monthly Royalty Fee Requirement | Monthly as designated by us | Will be debited automatically from your bank account by ACH or other means designated by us. See, Notes 2 and 3 for Minimum Monthly Royalty Requirements. |
| Brand Development Fund (Note 4) | 2% of Gross Sales for annual Gross Sales up to $500,000 and 1% of Gross Sales for annual Gross Sales over $500,000, but not exceeding $20,000 per year | Monthly as designated by us | Will be debited automatically from your bank account by ACH or other means designated by us. |
| Franchisee Directed Local Marketing (Note 5) | 3% of monthly Gross Sales, but not less than $500 per Territory per month | Monthly as incurred by you | Must be spent by you monthly on pre- approved marketing within your operating territory. Subject to Minimum Monthly Local Marketing Requirements depending on the size of your operating territory. |
| Advertising Cooperatives (Note 6) | Up to 3% of monthly Gross Sales but not exceeding the local marketing requirement, currently not assessed | As established by cooperative members | If we authorize an Advertising Cooperative, fees that you pay to the cooperative will count to the satisfaction of your local marketing requirements but will not exceed the local marketing requirement. |
| Technology (Note 7) | Up to $500 per user per | Monthly as | Will be debited automatically from your |
| month, currently $45 per | designated by | bank account by ACH or other means | |
| user per month | us | designated by us. | |
| Business Management System (Note 8) | Currently $189 per month plus $90 per user per month | Monthly as designated by us | Will be debited automatically from your bank account by ACH or other means designated by us. We may increase the Business Management System fee if the designated vendors increase the license fees. |
| QuickBooks Software | Currently $35 to $50 per month | When invoiced | You must pay an ongoing monthly license fee to our designated accounting software vendor, currently QuickBooks. This fee may increase if the designated vendor increases the license fees. |
| Mailchimp Software | Currently up to $680 per month | When invoiced | You must pay an ongoing monthly fee to for access to Mailchimp. This fee may increase if the designated vendor increases the license fees. |
Source: Item 6 — OTHER FEES (FDD pages 12–16)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Bee Organized's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, franchisees must pay an ongoing monthly fee for access to Mailchimp software. Currently, this fee can be up to $680 per month. This fee is paid directly to Mailchimp. However, the FDD stipulates that this fee may increase if Mailchimp, the designated vendor, raises its license fees.
For a prospective Bee Organized franchisee, this means budgeting for a recurring monthly expense for Mailchimp. It is important to note that the $680 is the current maximum, but this amount is subject to change if Mailchimp increases its prices. Franchisees should factor in potential increases when forecasting their operating expenses.
It is typical for franchisors to require franchisees to use specific software and systems for brand consistency and operational efficiency. These costs are in addition to the royalty fees and other fees paid to the franchisor. Franchisees should inquire about the typical reasons for increases in these fees and how often they have occurred in the past to better understand the potential financial impact on their business.