Where can I find more information about the recommended build-out guidelines for a Brain Balance center?
Brain_Balance Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
nd disability insurance, if required. (See Item 8.)
- Note 7: Our estimate for construction costs is based on you following our recommended build-out guidelines for a leased space of the square footage we recommend (see
Note 5, above). If you choose to upgrade to more luxurious building finishes than we recommend, or if you lease and build out a significantly larger space, your cost may exceed our estimate. These estimates are based on build out costs as reported to us by franchisees for centers that opened 2019-2021. During this time franchisees received an average of approximately $61,000 in Tenant Improvement Credits ("TI"), and we have factored that into our costs. Franchisees reported TI ranging from zero to $165,000. Our estimates also removed abnormally low outliers caused by conditions such as a family member being a contractor, or build-outs completed at no cost by the landlord, as these are unusual circumstances we do not expect to be replicated in our estimates. The cost per square foot, during this time had both an average and median of $35/sq. foot (excluding TIs), and the range was as low as $6 and as high as $70. Approximately 32% of all build-outs were less than $20 per square foot. 24% were $20-$40 per square foot, 32% were $40-$60 per square foot, and 12% of franchisees chose to spend more than $60 per square foot.
Source: Item 7 — ESTIMATED INITIAL INVESTMENT (FDD pages 19–30)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to the 2025 Brain Balance Franchise Disclosure Document, Note 7 in Item 7 discusses the brand's recommended build-out guidelines. The estimate for construction costs is based on following these guidelines for a leased space of the recommended square footage, as mentioned in Note 5. Note 5 states that at least 1,500 square feet of usable space is needed, but no more than 2,500 square feet.
The FDD notes that if a franchisee chooses to upgrade to more luxurious building finishes than recommended, or leases a significantly larger space, the build-out costs may exceed Brain Balance's estimates. These estimates are based on build-out costs reported by franchisees for centers opened between 2019 and 2021. During this period, franchisees received an average of approximately $61,000 in Tenant Improvement Credits (TI), which has been factored into the cost estimates. The TI ranged from zero to $165,000.
The FDD also specifies that abnormally low outliers, such as a family member being a contractor or build-outs completed at no cost by the landlord, were removed from the estimates. During this time, the cost per square foot had both an average and median of $35 (excluding TIs), with a range from $6 to $70. Approximately 32% of all build-outs were less than $20 per square foot, 24% were between $20 and $40 per square foot, 32% were between $40 and $60 per square foot, and 12% of franchisees spent more than $60 per square foot.