When is the development fee for Best In Class Education Center paid, and is it refundable?

According to the 2025 Best In Class Education Center FDD, if a franchisee opens a satellite office, they must pay a satellite office fee. This fee is paid in one lump sum, with the amount designated in Part C of ATTACHMENT A to the addendum. The FDD states that the satellite office fee is earned in full upon receipt and is nonrefundable.

This means that a prospective Best In Class Education Center franchisee should be aware that the satellite office fee is a one-time, nonrefundable payment. This is an important consideration for franchisees considering opening a satellite office, as they will not be able to recover this fee if they later decide to close the satellite office or convert it to a full brick and mortar location.

It is common in franchising for certain fees, such as initial franchise fees or development fees, to be nonrefundable, as they are intended to compensate the franchisor for the initial costs of setting up the franchise and providing initial training and support. However, franchisees should carefully review the franchise agreement and FDD to understand the specific terms and conditions related to all fees and payments, including their refundability.