When is the initial gift card set-up fee due for a Cream franchise?

According to Cream's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, an initial gift card set-up fee of $149 is required. This fee must be paid to Cream prior to opening the franchise location. The fee is payable in a lump sum and is non-refundable.

This fee is separate from the initial franchise fee of $40,000 and other initial costs, such as inventory. It is a one-time charge to set up the gift card system for the Cream franchise. Franchisees should factor this into their initial investment costs and ensure payment is made on time to avoid any delays in the store opening.

It is common for franchises to have various set-up fees for different systems and services. The gift card set-up fee ensures that the Cream franchise can offer gift cards to its customers from day one, which can be a valuable sales tool. Franchisees should confirm with Cream what the set-up process entails and what support is provided for the gift card system.