Before what event must a Budget licensee pay the Wizard Connection Start Fee?

According to Budget's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, a new licensee must pay a one-time Wizard Connection Start Fee of $320.00 per workstation, including Thin Client Terminals, before they begin to operate on Wizard. Wizard is Budget's computerized rental system. This fee is separate from the initial license purchase fee which varies depending on population size of the territory.

This means that before a Budget franchisee can start using the Wizard system for their rental operations, they need to ensure this fee is paid. The Wizard system is crucial for managing reservations, rentals, and customer data, so this fee is a necessary upfront cost to get the business operational. The number of workstations a franchisee needs will directly impact the total cost of this fee, as it is charged per workstation.

Prospective franchisees should factor this cost into their initial investment calculations. It's important to note that the FDD also mentions additional costs associated with acquiring and installing computer hardware and software for Wizard, which can range from $3,000 to $4,500 per connected workstation, or $7,000 to $13,000 if using Thin Client. Therefore, understanding the full scope of technology-related expenses is crucial for budgeting and financial planning.