Is the mobile app setup optional for all Counselor Realty franchisees?
Counselor_Realty Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
- 5.6 Mobile App Fees. Mobile app setup is optional except for the 11 county metropolitan area of the Twin Cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul, Minnesota (including the Counties of Scott, Wright, Isanti, Dakota, Anoka, Hennepin, Washington, Carver, Ramsey, Sherburne and Chisago). If your Office (or any Additional Office or Extension Office) is located in one of the aforementioned counties, or if you elect to utilize the Mobile App, you must pay us a Mobile App Fee equal to the costs incurred by Counselor to initiate and continue your Mobile App service, including one-time setup fees and monthly data/phone fees. The amount of the Mobile App Fee may be increased during the term of this Agreement by Counselor from time to time in its sole discretion. At the beginning of each month, we will send you an invoice for the amount of the Mobile App Fee you owe us for the prior month, and you must pay us the amount of such Mobile App Fee on or before the 20th day of such month.
- 5.7 Interest and Insufficient Funds. Interest shall accrue on any unpaid past due amounts you owe us from the date due until paid, at a rate of the lower of (i) 8% per year; or (ii) the maximum contract rate of interest allowed by law. If any payments are returned for any reason, you will pay us for the amount of the fee charged by Counselor's bank. You also will pay costs, including reasonable attorneys' and litigation expense fees, we incur collecting these past due amounts from you or enforcing this agreement.
Source: Item 22 — CONTRACTS (FDD page 32)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Counselor Realty's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, the mobile app setup is generally optional for franchisees. However, there is a specific exception: if the franchisee's office (or any additional or extension office) is located within the 11-county metropolitan area of the Twin Cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul, Minnesota, mobile app setup is mandatory. These counties include Scott, Wright, Isanti, Dakota, Anoka, Hennepin, Washington, Carver, Ramsey, Sherburne, and Chisago.
For franchisees outside the specified Minnesota counties, the mobile app setup remains optional. If a franchisee chooses to utilize the mobile app, regardless of location, they must pay a Mobile App Fee. This fee covers the costs incurred by Counselor Realty to initiate and maintain the mobile app service, including one-time setup fees and monthly data/phone fees.
The amount of the Mobile App Fee is subject to change at Counselor Realty's discretion during the term of the Franchise Agreement. Franchisees will receive a monthly invoice for the Mobile App Fee, which is due by the 20th day of the following month. Failure to pay the fee on time may result in interest charges on the unpaid amount, accruing at a rate of the lower of 8% per year or the maximum contract rate of interest allowed by law.