Is Brain Balance obligated to provide ongoing maintenance, repairs, upgrades, or updates to a franchisee's computer hardware system?
Brain_Balance Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
We do not have any obligation, nor have we contracted with any third parties, to provide any ongoing maintenance, repairs, upgrades, or updates to your computer hardware system.
The Franchise Agreement requires you, at your expense, to purchase or lease, and maintain, the computer hardware and software, dedicated telephone, cable, and communications capabilities, and power lines, modem(s), printer(s), tablet(s), and other computer related accessories or peripheral equipment that we specify in the Operations Manual. The computer hardware is not proprietary property of BBF and may be purchased from any supplier, provided it meets BBF's specifications. You will need an iPad/Android tablet(s) with a minimum screen size of 12" and not older than 5 years to access our applications with Wi-Fi or Ethernet connectivity. You will need a Google Chrome Web Browser in its most recent version (note: Google Chrome is the only web browser we support, other web browsers may or may not work). We estimate the cost of purchasing the computer system will range from $24,000 to $27,000 for a Standard Center and range from $15,000 to $20,000 for a Satellite Center.
You need to have access to the Internet with a minimum download speed of 50 MB per second. You also are required to have up to date virus protection software on all PC or Mac computers. Any associated costs with connectivity, router, wireless access point, firewall, anti-virus software, and hardware are your responsibility.
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, Brain Balance has no obligation to provide ongoing maintenance, repairs, upgrades, or updates to a franchisee's computer hardware system. The franchisee is responsible for purchasing or leasing and maintaining the computer hardware and software, telephone, cable, communication capabilities, power lines, modems, printers, tablets, and other computer-related equipment as specified in the Operations Manual. The computer hardware does not have to be purchased from Brain Balance and can be acquired from any supplier as long as it meets Brain Balance's specifications.
The franchisee is required to have an iPad/Android tablet with a minimum screen size of 12 inches, no older than 5 years, and Wi-Fi or Ethernet connectivity to access Brain Balance's applications. The franchisee must also use the most recent version of Google Chrome as their web browser. The estimated cost of the computer system ranges from $24,000 to $27,000 for a Standard Center and $15,000 to $20,000 for a Satellite Center.
Additionally, the franchisee is responsible for maintaining a minimum internet download speed of 50 MB per second and up-to-date virus protection software on all PC or Mac computers. Any costs associated with connectivity, routers, wireless access points, firewalls, anti-virus software, and hardware are also the franchisee's responsibility. However, Brain Balance will provide necessary upgrades to the Software/Applications on an ongoing basis at no additional cost to the franchisee.