Am I required to maintain and repair the computer system used for my Brain Balance franchise?
Brain_Balance Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
on. There are no contractual limitations on our right to access the information and data. To ensure full operational efficiency and optimum communication capability among computer systems installed by you, us, and other franchisees, you must, at your own expense, keep the computer system in good maintenance and repair, and promptly install such upgrades, additions, changes, modifications, substitutions, and/or replacements to the computer hardware, software, networking/connectivity devices and configurations, telephone and power lines, and other computer-related facilities as we may direct. There is no contractual limitation on the frequency and cost of these obligations (Franchise Agreement Section 18). We cannot estimate the cost of maintaining, updating, or upgrading your computer system or its components because it will depend on your repair history, local costs of computer maintenance services in your area, and technological advances, which we cannot predict at this time.
You may obtain your office computer hardware from any reputable supplier. You are not required to secure a computer maintenance contract, but you must ensure that all programs and applications running on your computer are legally licensed.
We retain the right to data ownership for everything related to the Brain Balance systems, programs, and operations.
Source: Item 11 — FRANCHISOR'S ASSISTANCE, ADVERTISING, COMPUTER SYSTEM, AND TRAINING (FDD pages 36–47)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Brain Balance's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, franchisees are responsible for maintaining and repairing their computer systems. Brain Balance requires franchisees to purchase or lease and maintain the computer hardware and software, telephone, cable, communication capabilities, power lines, modems, printers, tablets, and other computer-related accessories specified in the Operations Manual. The computer hardware does not have to be purchased from Brain Balance, but it must meet their specifications.
Brain Balance franchisees must keep their computer systems in good maintenance and repair at their own expense. They must also promptly install any upgrades, additions, changes, modifications, substitutions, or replacements to the computer hardware, software, networking/connectivity devices, telephone and power lines, and other computer-related facilities as directed by Brain Balance. The FDD states that there are no contractual limitations on the frequency and cost of these obligations.
Brain Balance does not provide or assist in obtaining, installing, or maintaining the hardware, local area network (LAN), or Internet connectivity. Franchisees must have access to the Internet with a minimum download speed of 50 MB per second and up-to-date virus protection software on all PC or Mac computers. The cost of purchasing the computer system is estimated to range from $24,000 to $27,000 for a Standard Center and from $15,000 to $20,000 for a Satellite Center. Brain Balance will provide support and maintenance of the proprietary Software/Application only, and the franchisee will be responsible for maintenance of their own hardware and communication software.