Are there additional costs for upgrades to the Software/Applications provided by Brain Balance?
Brain_Balance Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
We will also provide necessary upgrades to the Software/Applications on an ongoing basis, and, if any upgrade is provided to you, you must implement it. The upgrades will
be provided at no additional cost to you (Application License Agreement §1(a) A). You must permit the Franchisor access to the Software/Application and its data and must perform the actions required to permit the Franchisor to communicate with the Software/Application and to access and record it and its data, including, for example, the purchase, installation, and maintenance of appropriate communication hardware and software (Franchise Agreement §15; Application License Agreement §2(a)).
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, generally, upgrades to the Software/Applications are provided at no additional cost to the franchisee. However, Brain Balance franchisees are responsible for maintaining their own hardware and communication software. Franchisees must also keep their computer systems in good repair and promptly install any upgrades or modifications to their computer hardware, software, and networking devices as directed by Brain Balance, and these costs are borne by the franchisee. The cost of maintaining, updating, or upgrading the computer system cannot be estimated due to varying repair history, local costs, and technological advances.
Brain Balance requires franchisees to license the Software/Application necessary for their center, which involves an initial license fee and annual maintenance fees. This license covers multiple users at the center. While the Software and Applications are currently developed exclusively for BBF, if Brain Balance changes the operating system and contracts with a third-party software vendor, franchisees may be required to pay the software vendor directly for multiple users.
To ensure efficient communication, Brain Balance requires all franchisees to use its email system, providing each center with a primary email address and two additional accounts. Franchisees are also responsible for purchasing or leasing and maintaining the necessary computer hardware and software, telephone, cable, and communications capabilities, and other related equipment as specified in the Operations Manual. This includes having an iPad/Android tablet with a minimum screen size of 12 inches, no older than 5 years, and a Google Chrome Web Browser in its most recent version. The estimated cost for the computer system ranges from $24,000 to $27,000 for a Standard Center and $15,000 to $20,000 for a Satellite Center. Franchisees must also have Internet access with a minimum download speed of 50 MB per second and up-to-date virus protection software, bearing all associated costs.