How often will Bens Soft Pretzels notify the franchisee of the cost of the telephone service?
Bens_Soft_Pretzels Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
- (5) We may, at our option, maintain one or more telephone number(s) for the Store and, if we do maintain the number(s), you will be authorized and required to use the number(s) during the term of the Franchise Agreement. You acknowledge that we will have the sole rights to and interest in all the telephone number(s). We will notify you monthly of the cost of the telephone service and you must, within five days of your receipt of the bill, reimburse us for our costs in maintaining
Source: Item 6 — OTHER FEES (FDD pages 12–16)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Bens Soft Pretzels' 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, if Bens Soft Pretzels maintains a telephone number for the store, they will notify the franchisee monthly of the cost of the telephone service. The franchisee is then required to reimburse Bens Soft Pretzels for these costs within five days of receiving the bill.
This arrangement means that while Bens Soft Pretzels retains control and ownership of the telephone number, the franchisee is responsible for covering the associated expenses. This could be beneficial for maintaining brand consistency but also means the franchisee has less control over vendor selection and cost management for this service.
Furthermore, if the franchisee fails to reimburse Bens Soft Pretzels for the telephone service costs, Bens Soft Pretzels has the option to instruct the telephone service provider to terminate the telephone number or transfer it to themselves or their designee. This underscores the importance of timely payments and the potential consequences of non-compliance, which could disrupt the store's operations.