What source does Budget use to determine the population of a territory?

According to Budget's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, the company uses figures reported by the United States Census Bureau to determine the population of a territory. These figures are updated regularly by a consulting company. This population data is a key factor in determining the initial license purchase fee for a Budget franchise.

The initial license purchase fee is not uniform and is calculated based on the territory's population. For example, a territory with a population of 50,000 or under has a fee of $45,000. For each additional 5,000 people over 50,000, an additional $5,000 is added to the fee.

This method of calculation impacts prospective franchisees because the more populated the territory, the higher the initial license purchase fee will be. However, Budget also reserves the right to adjust these fees based on other factors, such as the presence of an airport or the level of competition in the territory. Therefore, while population is a primary factor, it is not the only consideration in determining the initial fee.