What is a Benjamin Franklin Plumbing franchisee required to do to maintain their technology systems?
Benjamin_Franklin_Plumbing Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
n the Brand Standards Manuals. You may not have calls answered by answering machines, voicemail, or digital assistants. We may require or prohibit forwarding calls to mobile phones. As provided in Section 6.10, we have the right to require you to use a designated call center
for the Brand (the "Call Center") for incoming calls. You will pay us or a designated/approved vendor a fee for the use of the Call Center (the "Call Center Fee"), whether the service is required or optional. As of the Agreement Date, the Call Center Fee is the amount set forth in the Brand Appendix and is due at the time set forth in the Brand Appendix. If we designate ourselves or an affiliate to provide the Call Center service, we reserve the right to increase the Call Center Fee, to charge a minimum fee for this service, and to change the timing of payment of the fee. We also reserve the right to terminate your access to the Call Center or to cancel the Call Center program. We will provide you at least thirty (30) days' notice prior to terminating the Call Center, modifying the Call Center Fee, or changing the timing of payment.
- 6.7. Technology Requirements. We have the right to specify the point-of-sale (POS) system, customer relationship management (CRM) system, back-office system, software applications, audio/visual equipment, security systems, electronic payment devices, and other hardware, software, and network connectivity for the Franchised Business. You agree to sign any standard license agreement or user agreement that may be required to use a system that we specify. You are required to use the required systems for service calls, managing inventory, reporting Gross Revenue and other information, training personnel, and other functions as we specify from time to time. You are required to ensure that your employees are adequately trained to use the systems and that they follow applicable policies. You are required to maintain your technology systems in good working order at all times and promptly install upgrades, additions, modifications, substitutions and/or replacements of hardware, software, connectivity, power, and other system components as necessary. You agree to bear all costs of acquisition, installation, use, maintenance and upgrade of your systems.
- 6.8. Franchisee Portal. We have the right (but no obligation) to establish one or more websites and/or mobile applications that are open only to franchisees (the "Franchisee Portal"). If applicable, you are required to use the Franchisee Portal for reporting, training, ordering merchandise and supplies, or other purposes as we direct.
- 6.9. Payment Systems and Customer Retention Programs.
Source: Item 23 — RECEIPTS (FDD pages 88–312)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Benjamin Franklin Plumbing's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, franchisees are responsible for maintaining their technology systems in good working order at all times. This includes promptly installing upgrades, additions, modifications, substitutions, and replacements of hardware, software, connectivity, power, and other system components as necessary. The FDD specifies that Benjamin Franklin Plumbing has the right to specify the point-of-sale (POS) system, customer relationship management (CRM) system, back-office system, software applications, audio/visual equipment, security systems, electronic payment devices, and other hardware, software, and network connectivity for the Franchised Business.
Benjamin Franklin Plumbing franchisees must ensure their employees are adequately trained to use these systems and follow all applicable policies. Furthermore, the franchisee bears all costs associated with the acquisition, installation, use, maintenance, and upgrades of these systems. This means that any expense related to keeping the technology current and functional is the franchisee's responsibility.
In addition to general maintenance, Benjamin Franklin Plumbing franchisees are required to implement industry-standard administrative, physical, and technical security measures to protect data and the Franchised Business from unauthorized access, loss, or damage. This includes protecting against computer viruses, power disruptions, and hacker attacks. Franchisees are also required to use best efforts to verify that Franchisee's suppliers, lenders, landlords, customers, and governmental agencies on which Franchisee relies, are reasonably protected, including the use of firewalls, access code protection, anti-virus systems, and backup systems. In the event of a security breach, franchisees must promptly notify Benjamin Franklin Plumbing and comply with any instructions regarding the response to the breach.