Are living expenses included in the estimated additional funds needed to operate a Belocal franchise?
Belocal Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
- (10) This is an estimate of the additional funds you may need to operate your Franchised Business during the first three months after you complete initial training.
This estimate is based upon the experience of our franchisees.
We cannot guarantee that you will not have additional expenses in starting the Franchised Business.
This range includes estimated travel and other sales related expenses you will incur during the first three months.
Additional operating expenses will be incurred in connection with the ongoing operation of your Franchised Business.
You are responsible for your living expenses during the term of the Franchise Agreement and those expenses are not reflected in this estimate.
We recommend that you use the categories and estimates in this Item 7 as a guide to develop your own business plan and budget and that you investigate specific laws, regulations, and licensing requirements and associated costs that may apply in your area. You should review these figures carefully with your business advisor before deciding to acquire the franchise.
Source: Item 7 — ESTIMATED INITIAL INVESTMENT (FDD pages 31–33)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Belocal's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, the estimated additional funds needed to operate a Belocal franchise for the first three months do not include living expenses. The FDD specifies that franchisees are responsible for their own living expenses during the term of the Franchise Agreement, and these expenses are not reflected in the estimated additional funds. These additional funds range from $600 to $1,000 and cover items such as travel and other sales-related expenses incurred during the initial three months of operation.
This means that prospective Belocal franchisees need to ensure they have sufficient personal funds to cover their living costs separately from the estimated initial investment and additional operating funds. The FDD recommends that franchisees use the categories and estimates provided as a guide to develop their own business plan and budget. It also advises consulting with a business advisor to carefully review these figures before acquiring the franchise.
Therefore, when planning their initial investment, prospective Belocal franchisees should consider their personal living expenses in addition to the franchise fees, office setup costs, training expenses, and the estimated $600 to $1,000 for additional operating funds. This ensures a more realistic assessment of the total financial commitment required to start and operate the franchise during its initial months.