Where must the Counselor Realty franchisee be located to be subject to the monthly metro advertising fee?

According to Counselor Realty's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, a franchisee is subject to a monthly metro advertising fee if their location is within the 11-county metropolitan area of the Twin Cities. This fee is charged per licensed agent operating from or through the franchisee's office.

For a prospective Counselor Realty franchisee, this means that the location they choose for their real estate brokerage will directly impact their monthly costs. If they choose a location within the Twin Cities metro area, they should budget for the additional advertising fee for each agent. This could significantly affect profitability, especially for offices with a large number of agents.

The FDD also provides some context on the amounts collected through these metro advertising fees. The monthly metro advertising fees collected by Counselor Realty Franchising, Inc. were $3,480 in 2024, $2,880 in 2023, and $3,600 in 2022. This indicates that the metro advertising fee is a consistent, albeit relatively small, revenue stream for the franchisor. A prospective franchisee should consider how these fees are used and what benefits they provide in terms of local advertising and brand awareness within the Twin Cities area.

It would be prudent for a potential franchisee to clarify with Counselor Realty exactly which counties are included in the 11-county metropolitan area to accurately assess whether a potential location would be subject to this additional fee. Understanding the specific benefits and planned advertising activities funded by these fees is also essential for making an informed investment decision.