What are examples of situations where the Additional Training Fee is payable for a Bigfoot Forestry franchise?
Bigfoot_Forestry Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
| TYPE OF FEE 1 | 2, 3 AMOUNT | DUE DATE | REMARKS | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Greater of percentage-based royalty fee (7.0% - 4.5% of Gross Sales depending on | The minimum after signing the Franchise have not opened). The minimum monthly is (a) $500 for signing and (b) $750 within higher monthly Gross Sales brackets: | royalty fee begins the 4th full month Agreement (even if you royalty fee the 4th, 5th & 6th full months after for the rest of the term. We use the following sliding scale royalty structure with a decreasing royalty rate applied to Gross Sales | ||
| Royalty Fee | bracket) or the minimum | 10th day of month | Royalty Rate | Gross Sales Bracket |
| monthly royalty fee | 7.0% 6.5% 6.0% 5.0% 4.5% You must send | $0-$50,000 $50,000.01-$75,000 $75,000.01-$100,000 $100,000.01-$125,000 $125,000.01+ us monthly Gross Sales reports. | ||
| Brand Fund Fee | Up to 3% of Gross Sales (currently 1% of Gross Sales) | Same as royalty fee | We deposit this fee into a Brand Fund. You have no voting rights pertaining to the administration of the Brand Fund, the creation or placement of advertising, or the amount of the brand fund fee. | |
| Local Marketing Commitment | Greater of 2% of Gross Sales or $1,000 per month | Monthly, as incurred | This is the minimum amount you must spend to advertise your Business in your local market (the "Local Marketing Commitment"). This amount is in addition to your brand fund fee. The $475 monthly fee you pay our designated SEO company is credited towards your Local Marketing Commitment. | |
| Cooperative Advertising Fee | Up to 2% of Gross Sales | Same as royalty fee | Company-owned outlets have the same voting power as franchised outlets in a cooperative. If a majority of outlets are company-owned, we will not increase the fee unless a majority of franchised outlets in favor of the fee increase. Cooperative advertising fees are credited against the Local Marketing Commitment. | |
| Additional Training Fee | $500 per person per day (plus Travel Expenses for onsite training) | 10 days after invoice | Payable for each person who attends: initial training after you open (e.g. new Managing Owner or Project Manager); retraining after failing a prior attempt; remedial training; or additional training you request. You must also reimburse all Travel Expenses we incur for training onsite in your territory. We do not c |
Source: Item 6 — OTHER FEES (FDD pages 12–15)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to the 2025 Bigfoot Forestry Franchise Disclosure Document, an Additional Training Fee of $500 per person per day, plus travel expenses for onsite training, is payable in several situations. This fee applies to each person attending initial training after the franchise opens, such as for a new Managing Owner or Project Manager. It is also charged for retraining after a failed prior attempt, remedial training, or any additional training requested by the franchisee.
This fee structure means that franchisees need to budget not only for the initial training of their primary staff but also for ongoing training needs that may arise due to personnel changes or performance issues. The inclusion of travel expenses for onsite training can further increase these costs, making it important for franchisees to carefully consider the location of their territory and the potential travel costs associated with bringing trainers to their location.
Bigfoot Forestry does not charge for other training programs outside of these specific instances. This suggests that while the franchisor provides some ongoing support and training, franchisees should be prepared to cover the costs for more specialized or remedial training needs. This is a fairly standard practice in franchising, where franchisees often bear the cost of additional training to ensure consistent brand standards and operational efficiency.
Prospective Bigfoot Forestry franchisees should inquire about the typical duration and frequency of additional training, as well as the average travel expenses incurred for onsite training, to better estimate these potential costs. Understanding these factors will help in creating a more accurate financial projection for the franchise.