To whom is the initial franchise fee for Bigfoot Forestry paid?
Bigfoot_Forestry Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
| YOUR ESTIMATED INITIAL INVESTMENT | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| TYPE OF EXPENDITURE 1 | AMOUNT | WHEN DUE | ||
| Initial Franchise Fee 2 | $49,900 | Lump sum | At time you sign Franchise Agreement | Us |
| Initial Training Expenses 3 | $250 to $3,000 | As incurred | During training | Suppliers |
| Security Deposit & | $0 to $2,000 | Lump sum | At time you sign lease | Landlord |
| Preopening Rent 4 | ||||
| (Equipment Storage Site) | ||||
| Vehicle 5 | $0 to $60,000 | Lump sum | Before opening | Supplier |
| Vehicle Wrap or Decals 6 | $1,150 to $4,745 | As incurred | Before opening | Supplier |
| Equipment Package 7 | $158,024 | Lump sum | Before opening | ACAE |
| Startup Package 7 | $1,235 | Lump sum | Before opening | ACAE |
| Tools 8 | $0 to $1,300 | As incurred | Before opening | Suppliers |
| (optional but recommended) | ||||
| Technology Systems 9 | $900 to $1,200 | Lump sum | Before opening | Suppliers |
| Technology Fee 10 | $350 | Lump sum | Before Opening | Us |
| Grand Opening Advertising 11 | $2,500 to $5,000 | Lump sum | 120-day period that begins 14 days after signing Franchise Agreement | Suppliers |
| Licenses & Permits 12 | $200 to $3,000 YOUR ESTIMATED INITIAL INVESTMENT | Lump sum | Before opening | Government agencies |
| TYPE OF EXPENDITURE 1 | AMOUNT | METHOD OF PAYMENT | WHEN DUE | TO WHOM PAYMENT IS TO BE MADE |
| Professional Fees 13 | $1,000 to $5,000 | Lump sum | Before opening | Lawyers & accountants |
| Insurance Premium 14 | $600 to $2,000 | Lump sum | Before opening | Insurance companies |
| (3 months) | ||||
| Additional Funds 15 | $8,000 to $18,000 | As incurred | As incurred | Suppliers, landlord & |
| (3 months) | employees | |||
| Total Estimated Initial | $224,109 to $314,754 | |||
| Investment 16 |
Source: Item 7 — ESTIMATED INITIAL INVESTMENT (FDD pages 15–18)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to the 2025 Bigfoot Forestry Franchise Disclosure Document, the initial franchise fee is paid to 'Us,' meaning the franchisor, Bigfoot Forestry. The standard initial franchise fee is $49,900, payable as a lump sum when you sign the Franchise Agreement. Qualified veterans may receive a $2,500 discount on this fee. This fee grants you the right to operate a Bigfoot Forestry franchise.
In addition to the initial franchise fee, Bigfoot Forestry franchisees may also need to pay a development fee. The development fee, which ranges from $134,700 to $214,500, is also paid to 'Us' (Bigfoot Forestry) at the time you sign the Area Development Agreement (ADA). This fee applies if you commit to developing multiple Bigfoot Forestry businesses, specifically either 3 (low estimate) or 5 (high estimate). The initial franchise fee is included within the development fee.
Furthermore, franchisees are required to pay a technology fee of $350 to Bigfoot Forestry before opening. Additionally, within 14 days of signing the Franchise Agreement, franchisees must pay $1,425 to Bigfoot Forestry's designated SEO marketing company. This payment covers a $950 marketing kick-off fee and the first monthly $475 digital marketing fee for SEO and Google business management services.