Where in the Counselor Realty FDD can I find more information about the initial fee?
Counselor_Realty Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
When you sign the Franchise Agreement, you must pay Counselor an Initial Fee in an amount of: $7,500 if the population in your Territory is less than 10,000, or $15,000 if the population in your Territory is 10,000 or more. See Item 12.
You are responsible to select a site for your Office. After you notify Counselor of a proposed site, Counselor has 30 days to review the site and to notify you whether or not it consents to your operation of the Business at that site. If Counselor rejects the site you propose, you will have an additional 60 days to locate a site that is acceptable to Counselor. If you fail to do so, the Franchise Agreement will terminate and Counselor will refund your Initial Fee, less Counselor's expenses associated with reviewing the proposed site(s). See Item 12. Except as described in this paragraph, Initial Fees are nonrefundable.
At your request, Counselor will provide you and up to two of your key personnel initial training (the amount of such initial training shall be as determined by Counselor). See Item 11. You must pay Counselor a fee for training in the amount of $175 per trainer per hour. In addition, you must pay all travel, living and incidental expenses you and your employees, and our trainers, incur in connection with training, which Counselor estimates could range from $0 (if you and our trainers do not have to travel to attend training) to $750 per person per day. Training fees are not refundable.
See Item 7 for more detailed information regarding your initial investment.
Source: Item 5 — INITIAL FEES (FDD page 9)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Counselor Realty's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, Item 5 provides details regarding the initial franchise fee. The initial fee ranges from $7,500 to $15,000, depending on the population within the franchisee's territory. Specifically, a territory with a population less than 10,000 requires an initial fee of $7,500, while a territory with a population of 10,000 or more requires an initial fee of $15,000. Item 12 also references the initial fee amount.
Item 5 also states that the initial fee is generally non-refundable, but there is an exception. If Counselor Realty rejects the franchisee's proposed site and the franchisee cannot find an acceptable alternative within a specified time frame, the franchise agreement will terminate, and Counselor Realty will refund the initial fee, less any expenses Counselor Realty incurred while reviewing the proposed site(s).
Item 5 further mentions that Counselor Realty provides initial training for the franchisee and up to two key personnel. While the amount of initial training is determined by Counselor Realty, the franchisee must pay a training fee of $175 per trainer per hour. Additionally, the franchisee is responsible for covering all travel, living, and incidental expenses for themselves, their employees, and Counselor Realty's trainers, which could range from $0 to $750 per person per day, depending on travel requirements. These training fees are non-refundable. Item 7 provides more information regarding the initial investment.