What is included in the 'Required Software' for a Cool Binz franchise?
Cool_Binz Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
nchise Agreement.
During the term of the franchise agreement, we shall have the right, but not the obligation, to develop or designate: (i) computer software programs you must use in connection with any component of the Computer System, including the COOL BINZ Software, designated business management software and designated accounting software (the "Required Software"), which you shall install at your own expense; (ii) updates, supplements, modifications, or enhancements to the Required Software, which you shall install at your own expense; (iii) the tangible media upon which you record data; and (iv) the database file structure of the Computer System. You will be responsible for the payment of all fees associated with the Required Software (including the COOL BINZ Software), Computer System and POS System. Neither us nor our affiliates, or third parties have any obligation to provide ongoing maintenance, repairs, upgrades, or updates to your Computer System or Required Software.
At our request, you shall purchase or lease, and thereafter maintain, the Computer System, COOL BINZ Software, and the Required Software. We may require you to update or upgrade your Computer System at any time during the term of the franchise agreement. There is no limit on our frequency to do so, or the cost of your obligation to maintain, upgrade and update the Computer Systems in conformance with our requirements. We may also require you to use certain internet and cloud-based services or subscriptions as may become relevant as the System and technology changes, at your sole expense.
We may require that your Computer System be programmed to automatically transmit data and reports about the operation of the COOL BINZ Business to us. We shall also have the right to, at any time without notice, electronically connect with your Computer System to monitor or retrieve data stored on the Computer System or for any other purpose we deem necessary. There are no contractual limitations on our right to independently access the information and data on your POS System, COOL BINZ Software, and Computer System. You shall deliver to us all access codes, static Internet protocol ("IP") addresses and other information to facilitate our access to the data described in this Section within 30 days of opening the COOL BINZ Business. All client and customer data is our property and any data not accessible to us upon termination or expiration of the Franchise Agreement must be provided to us immediately.
During the term of the franchise agreement, you must maintain the computer hardware necessary to implement the COOL BINZ Software and any Required Software, and comply with all specifications and standards prescribed by us regarding the COOL BINZ Software and any Required Software as provided in the Operations Manuals, System Standards or otherwise in writing. We reserve the right to create additional proprietary software programs (to be included as part of the Required Software), which you must use in connection with the COOL BINZ Business. The Required Software, including the COOL BINZ Software, will be our proprietary product, and the information collected therefrom will be deemed our confidential information.
Source: Item 11 — FRANCHISOR'S ASSISTANCE, ADVERTISING, COMPUTER SYSTEMS AND TRAINING (FDD pages 36–45)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Cool Binz's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, the Required Software includes the COOL BINZ Software, designated business management software, and designated accounting software. Franchisees are responsible for installing this software at their own expense. Cool Binz may also create additional proprietary software programs to be included as part of the Required Software, which franchisees must use.
The COOL BINZ Software itself consists of software programs that franchisees must use to maintain customer records, bid on jobs, create estimates, and generally operate the Cool Binz business system. The designated accounting software that franchisees are required to use is currently QuickBooks Online, but this is subject to change at Cool Binz's discretion. Franchisees are also required to follow Cool Binz's specified chart of accounts.
Cool Binz also has the right to specify the brands, types, makes, and/or models of communication, computer systems, and hardware that franchisees must use. This includes a compatible "back office" computer system, and potentially a custom and proprietary point of sale system (POS) in the future. Franchisees are responsible for all fees associated with the Required Software, Computer System, and POS System. Cool Binz can also require franchisees to update or upgrade their computer systems at any time during the franchise agreement, and there is no limit to the frequency or cost of these upgrades, though Cool Binz estimates that the cost of upgrades will not exceed $5,000 annually.