Is Chocolate Bash obligated to provide ongoing maintenance for the point-of-sale and computer systems?
Chocolate_Bash Franchise · 2024 FDDAnswer from 2024 FDD Document
d $2,000 to purchase.
We are not obligated to provide any ongoing maintenance, repairs, upgrades, or updates. We do not require you enter into any such contract with a third party.
You must upgrade or update any system when we determine. There is no contractual limit on the frequency or cost of this obligation.
We estimate that the annual cost of any optional or required maintenance, updating, upgrading, or support contracts will be $100 - $250 per month depending on the level of support you choose.
You must give us independent access to the information that will be generated or stored in these systems. The information that we may access will include sales, customer data, and reports. There is no contractual limitation on our right to access the information.
Source: Item 11 — FRANCHISOR'S ASSISTANCE, ADVERTISING, COMPUTER SYSTEMS, AND TRAINING (FDD pages 19–25)
What This Means (2024 FDD)
According to Chocolate Bash's 2024 Franchise Disclosure Document, Chocolate Bash is not obligated to provide ongoing maintenance, repairs, upgrades, or updates for the point-of-sale (POS) system and computer system. The franchisee is responsible for these aspects.
The required systems include Toast POS with required apps, one computer, and QuickBooks or a related bookkeeping system. Chocolate Bash estimates the purchase cost of these systems to be between $1,000 and $2,000. These systems are essential for managing day-to-day business operations, including customer contact data, financial data, and inventory data.
Although Chocolate Bash does not mandate a third-party contract for maintenance, upgrades, or updates, the franchisee is obligated to upgrade or update any system when Chocolate Bash determines it necessary. There is no contractual limit on the frequency or cost of this obligation, meaning these costs could vary significantly. The FDD estimates that the annual cost of optional or required maintenance, updating, upgrading, or support contracts will be $100 - $250 per month depending on the level of support chosen.
Chocolate Bash also requires independent access to the information generated or stored in these systems, including sales, customer data, and reports, without any contractual limitation on their right to access this information. This access allows Chocolate Bash to monitor the franchisee's operations and ensure compliance with the franchise agreement.