For Bens Soft Pretzels, over what period is the revenue related to the franchise fees earned?
Bens_Soft_Pretzels Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
Initial Franchise Fee Revenue – The Company enters into franchise or license agreements that grant franchisees or licensees the right to operate individual Ben's Soft Pretzels locations in exchange for an initial franchise fee. The Company's performance obligations consist of the franchise license which includes the use of the brand, initial services including pre-opening training, and ongoing services including advertising and operational support. Management has determined that these performance obligations are highly interrelated and therefore are not considered to be distinct under ASC 606. As a result, they are accounted for as a single performance obligation which is satisfied by providing the right to use the Company's intellectual property over the initial term of the franchise agreement. Beginning in June 2018, the initial franchise or license agreement is for five years and contains two options to renew for an additional five years each (for a total term of 15 years). Prior to this change in 2018, the initial franchise agreement was for seven years and contained two options to renew for an additional seven years each (for a total term of 21 years). Each option to renew includes an additional fee and is considered a separate performance obligation.
The Company recognizes the initial franchise fee on a straight-line basis using a mid-month convention over the initial term of the franchise or license agreement starting with the opening of the location. The opening is considered to take place when the Company has performed substantially all of the initial services required in the franchise or license agreement and when the franchisee or licensee begins to benefit from the rights included in the franchise or license agreement. Incidental items that are immaterial in the context of the contract are recognized as expense.
Source: Item 21 — FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (FDD page 46)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to the 2025 FDD, Bens Soft Pretzels recognizes initial franchise fee revenue over the initial term of the franchise or license agreement. The company recognizes the initial franchise fee on a straight-line basis using a mid-month convention over the initial term of the franchise or license agreement starting with the opening of the location. The opening is considered to take place when Bens Soft Pretzels has performed substantially all of the initial services required in the franchise or license agreement and when the franchisee or licensee begins to benefit from the rights included in the franchise or license agreement.
For agreements signed beginning in June 2018, the initial franchise or license agreement is for five years and contains two options to renew for an additional five years each, resulting in a total potential term of 15 years. Before this change in 2018, the initial franchise agreement was for seven years and contained two options to renew for an additional seven years each, for a total term of 21 years. Each option to renew includes an additional fee and is considered a separate performance obligation.
Prospective franchisees should note that the timing of revenue recognition is tied to the opening of their location and the fulfillment of initial services by Bens Soft Pretzels. This means that even if the franchise fee is paid upfront, Bens Soft Pretzels recognizes the revenue gradually over the term of the agreement. This accounting practice is common in franchising, as it aligns the revenue with the ongoing services and support provided to the franchisee.