Is the Bft Development Fee refundable?
Bft Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
dule, your Development Fee will increase by $10,000. While the Development Fee is not a deposit, we will apply it, in $10,000 increments, toward satisfaction of the initial franchise fee due under each Franchise Agreement (less the first one) you sign in satisfaction of your obligations under the Multi-Unit Agreement. The initial franchise fees paid under each Franchise Agreement shall be the same as required as of the date of this Disclosure Document. The Development Fee is payable in a lump sum, is not refundable, and is determined in the same manner for all franchisees who sign Multi-Unit Agreements.
You will be required to enter into our then-current form of franchise agreement for each Studio you wish to open under your Multi-Unit Agreement.
Your Development Fee will be deemed fully earned upon payment and is not refundable under any circumstances. The Development Fee described above is calcul
Source: Item 5 — INITIAL FEES (FDD pages 18–21)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Bft's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, the Development Fee associated with a Multi-Unit Agreement is not refundable. The Development Fee is payable in a lump sum and is determined in the same manner for all franchisees who sign Multi-Unit Agreements.
The Development Fee is calculated as $10,000 for each studio, less the first one, that the franchisee commits to opening under the Multi-Unit Agreement. For example, if a franchisee commits to opening three studios, the Development Fee will be 2 x $10,000, totaling $20,000. This fee increases by $10,000 for each additional studio the franchisee is required to open under the Development Schedule.
The FDD states that the Development Fee is deemed fully earned upon payment and is not refundable under any circumstances. While the Development Fee is not a deposit, Bft will apply it in $10,000 increments toward satisfaction of the initial franchise fee due under each Franchise Agreement (less the first one) signed in satisfaction of the obligations under the Multi-Unit Agreement.