What is the name of the fee that a Casiola franchisee must pay to the Franchisor when transferring the franchise?

According to Casiola's 2024 Franchise Disclosure Document, a franchisee must pay a "Transfer Fee" to the franchisor when transferring the franchise. The FDD specifies that the Transfer Fee is a fixed sum of $10,000.

This fee is payable to Casiola upon the transfer of the franchise to a new owner. It is important to note that this fee is in addition to other costs associated with the transfer, such as training programs for the transferee and potential expenses for upgrading the administrative office to meet current standards. The franchisee is responsible for satisfying all outstanding obligations to Casiola before the transfer can be approved.

However, the FDD also states that if the franchisee is an individual, then in the event of death or permanent disability of the franchisee, the Franchise Agreement may be transferred to any designated person, heir, or beneficiary without the payment of the Transfer Fee. This is a notable exception to the standard transfer fee requirement. Prospective franchisees should carefully consider these conditions and exceptions when evaluating the financial implications of a Casiola franchise.