Which items in the Coffee News Disclosure Document outline the fees franchisees are obligated to pay?
Coffee_News Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
[Item 5: Initial Fees]
ITEM 5
INITIAL FRANCHISE FEE
You must pay an initial franchise fee of $9,900.00 for the first franchise that is due upon signing the initial franchise agreement, $500.00 of which must be paid to us for document preparation including without limitation draft of the franchise agreement. The $500.00 shall be deducted from $9,900.00 upon signing the initial franchise agreement. For this, you will receive weekly copy within 14 days of signing the agreement with additional copy mailed in 8-week increments (no later than 5 business days prior to the end of the following 8-week period) which effectively represents reimbursement for weekly copy during the initial 3-month period of the agreement. Agreements may include up to the maximum 20 franchises permitted per publisher. A fee of $7,000.00 for each additional franchise is due at the time of signing the agreement for additional franchise(s). Upon our sole discretion, we may offer short term sales promotions to existing Publishers who wish to purchase additional franchise unit(s) from time to time. In the event that you notify us that you wish to revise the start date of business and postpone it by one month or more subsequent to your receipt of the initially executed franchise agreement, you need to pay for additional $1,000.00 to us to obtain such extension and hold your proposed licensed area for such one or more months before you pay the full amount due under the agreement. All fees are non-refundable.
In addition to the above initial fees applicable to the hard copy Periodical, if you choose to add the Coffee News Online feature, a one-time enrollment fee to participate in the amount of $100.00 shall be paid upon enrollment.
There are no other initial fees or payments required for services or goods before the date of the agreement. The date of the agreement is considered your date of opening your franchise business. Three months after your opening you will pay a required weekly fee for the continued receipt of copy or content for your periodical. The weekly fee is more fully explained in Item 6.
Initial fees and payments will be due in full upon our completion of all pre-opening obligations. [Item 23: Receipts]
All initial fees and payments owed by franchisees shall be due in full upon our completion of all pre-opening obligations under the franchise agreement.
- 2.1.2 In addition to the publication of hardcopy format of Periodical, Franchisee shall have the option to publish the digital format of the Periodical ("Coffee News Online"). A onetime enrollment fee to participate publication of Coffee News Online, in the amount of $100.00 for Chil Consulting and $75.00 for Shadowfox Design, shall be paid upon enrollment.
- 2.1.3 Postponement Fees. In the event that Franchisee wishes to postpone the start date of Franchisee's business by one month or more, Franchisee needs to pay for additional $1,000.00 to us to obtain such extension and hold Franchisee's area for such one or more months before Franchisee pays the full amount due under the Agreement.
- 2.1.4 Weekly Fees. For the first Franchise granted to Franchisee, weekly payments of:
- 2.1.4.1 for hardcopy Periodical, $80 per week beginning upon the conclusion of the Initial Period. In the case of multiple franchises granted to Franchisee under separate licensing agreements, weekly payments of $25 per week for each additional franchise purchased, to be charged for each week beginning after the first nine (9) months of Franchisee's operation in accordance with Schedule A.
- 2.1.4.2 for Coffee News Online Basic Service (as later identify and defined in Paragraph 4.5.1), $25.00 (USD) per week.
- 2.1.4.3 for Coffee News Online Premium Service (as later identified and defined in Paragraph 4.5.2), $50.00 (USD) per week.
- 2.1.4.4 prices for all other countries in addition to the U.S. and Canada shall be based on USD conversion to the respectful local currencies.
- 2.1.5 Additional Franchises. For any additional franchises granted to Franchisee under a separate licensing agreement, a non-refundable deposit of $7,000.00 to be paid in accordance with Schedule A.
[Item 23: Receipts]
- 2.2 Failure to Make Payment. Unless otherwise prohibited by law, failure to make payment of either the deposit for additional or weekly fees in accordance with Schedule A for a period of sixty (60) days from the due date may result in the loss of all Franchises and termination of receipt of the Periodical by Franchisee, at the option of Franchisor.
Source: Item 9 — Franchisee's Obligations (FDD pages 15–16)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to the 2025 Coffee News Franchise Disclosure Document, Item 5 and Item 23 outline the fees franchisees are obligated to pay. Item 5 details the initial franchise fee of $9,900 for the first franchise, with $500 allocated for document preparation. This initial fee is due upon signing the franchise agreement. Additional franchises incur a fee of $7,000 each, payable at the time of signing the agreement for the additional franchise(s). If a franchisee postpones the business start date by a month or more after receiving the franchise agreement, they must pay an additional $1,000 to hold the licensed area. Furthermore, if a franchisee chooses to add the Coffee News Online feature, a one-time enrollment fee of $100 is required.
Item 23 further clarifies fee obligations, stating that all initial fees and payments are due upon Coffee News' completion of all pre-opening obligations. It also specifies a one-time enrollment fee for Coffee News Online: $100 for Chil Consulting and $75 for Shadowfox Design. Additionally, franchisees who postpone their start date by a month or more must pay an additional $1,000. Weekly fees are also outlined: $80 per week for the hardcopy Periodical after the initial period, $25 per week for each additional franchise (after the first nine months), $25 per week for Coffee News Online Basic Service, and $50 per week for Coffee News Online Premium Service.
These fees cover various aspects of the Coffee News franchise, from initial setup and training to ongoing support and access to the Coffee News Online platform. Franchisees should carefully review both Item 5 and Item 23 to fully understand their financial obligations and the timing of payments. Understanding these obligations is crucial for budgeting and financial planning as a Coffee News franchisee.
It is important to note that failure to make payments, including weekly fees, for a period of sixty days may result in the termination of the franchise agreement, at the option of Coffee News. This highlights the importance of maintaining timely payments to avoid potential penalties and ensure the continuation of the franchise.