Is the initial franchise fee for a Boulder Designs franchise refundable?

According to Boulder Designs's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, the initial franchise fee is not refundable. The initial franchise fee for a single Boulder Designs franchise is $63,000. This fee is uniformly imposed and considered fully earned and nonrefundable upon payment.

This means that once a prospective franchisee signs the franchise agreement and pays the $63,000 initial fee to Boulder Designs, they will not receive a refund of this fee under any circumstances. This is a standard practice in franchising, as the initial fee compensates the franchisor for the costs associated with granting the franchise, including training, support, and use of the Boulder Designs brand and system.

In addition to the initial franchise fee, Boulder Designs franchisees must also pay $57,250 for an equipment and supplies package and $12,000 for initial training. These fees are also nonrefundable. Therefore, a prospective franchisee should carefully consider their decision before signing the franchise agreement and paying these initial fees, as they represent a significant upfront investment that is not recoverable.