Is a Benjamin Franklin Plumbing franchisee required to participate in customer loyalty programs?
Benjamin_Franklin_Plumbing Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
- 6.9. Payment Systems and Customer Retention Programs.
You are required to participate in programs relating to gift cards, gift certificates, stored value cards, online or mobile coupons or credits, online or mobile ordering systems, and other electronic money programs we prescribe from time to time for Franchised Businesses.
Participation includes both issuing program benefits or credits and accepting them for payment by customers, and may require you to purchase additional equipment.
We have the right to coordinate the crediting and debiting of funds among Franchised Businesses based on customer purchases and redemption of stored value.
You are required to comply with our policies regarding acceptance of payment by credit and/or debit cards, mobile payment systems, and digital coupons, including, for example, minimum purchase requirements and/or surcharges for use of a card.
You are required to also participate in any customer loyalty programs we prescribe from time to time.
You may not offer your own gift card, electronic money, or loyalty program for the Franchised Business without our prior written approval.
The payment systems and loyalty programs we designate may require you to obtain new hardware, software, equipment and training at your own expense.
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 required to participate in customer loyalty programs that the company prescribes from time to time. This participation includes both issuing program benefits or credits and accepting them for payment by customers. This may also require franchisees to purchase additional equipment to facilitate these programs.
Benjamin Franklin Plumbing also has the right to coordinate the crediting and debiting of funds among franchised businesses based on customer purchases and redemption of stored value. Furthermore, franchisees must comply with the company's policies regarding the acceptance of payments made via credit and debit cards, mobile payment systems, and digital coupons. These policies may include stipulations such as minimum purchase requirements or surcharges for using a card.
Franchisees are prohibited from offering their own gift card, electronic money, or loyalty program for the franchised business without obtaining prior written approval from Benjamin Franklin Plumbing. The payment systems and loyalty programs that Benjamin Franklin Plumbing designates may require franchisees to obtain new hardware, software, equipment, and training, all at their own expense. This ensures that all Benjamin Franklin Plumbing franchises operate under a unified customer loyalty and payment system, maintaining brand consistency and customer experience.