Is the initial fee for a Brain Balance Center refundable?

According to Brain Balance's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, the initial fee for both Standard and Satellite Centers is non-refundable. The FDD states clearly that for all Brain Balance Centers, the initial fee, including the Software Fee, is fully earned and non-refundable once paid. This means that once a prospective franchisee pays the initial franchise fee to Brain Balance, they will not receive a refund of that fee under any circumstances.

For a Standard Brain Balance Center, the initial franchise fee is $45,000, plus a $15,000 software license fee. For a Brain Balance Satellite Center, the initial franchise fee is $25,000, plus a $10,000 software license fee. In both cases, these fees are non-refundable.

This non-refundable policy is a fairly standard practice in the franchise industry, as the franchisor incurs costs in evaluating and onboarding new franchisees. Prospective Brain Balance franchisees should carefully consider their financial situation and conduct thorough due diligence before paying the initial franchise fee, as they will not be able to recover this investment if they later decide not to proceed with the franchise.