What IT support services does Christian Brothers Automotive provide, and what is the monthly fee?
Christian_Brothers_Automotive Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
| IT Support Fee (Note 4) | As determined from time to time by CBAC and set forth in our Confidential Operations Manual. Currently, $200 per month for IT support services. | 1st day of each month. | This may include web hosting and software/hardware technical support. CBAC reserves the right to increase this fee, in its sole discretion. | | Type of Fee (Note 1) | Amount | Due Date | Remarks | |----------------------------------------------------------------|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Source: Item 6 — OTHER FEES (FDD pages 17–25)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Christian Brothers Automotive's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, franchisees are required to pay a monthly IT support fee of $200. This fee covers IT support services, which may include web hosting and software/hardware technical assistance. Christian Brothers Automotive retains the right to increase this fee at its discretion.
In addition to the IT support fee, each Christian Brothers Automotive franchise location must use the point-of-sale system (Tekmetric), the accounting software suite (QuickBooks Enterprise or Epicor Kinetic), and the middleware that links the point-of-sale system to the accounting software (FUSE). Franchisees must also maintain a cell-based internet failover system. Christian Brothers Automotive will provide initial and ongoing training and support for these systems.
The FDD also mentions an "Operating Systems & Internet Failover" fee, which is approximately $475 per month plus data overages and is subject to change. This fee covers the point-of-sale software, accounting software, and internet failover software. It is important to note the distinction between this fee and the IT Support Fee. The IT Support Fee covers the support, while the Operating Systems & Internet Failover fee covers the cost of the systems themselves.