Are Devon Creek franchisees responsible for fees paid to third-party vendors for technology?

According to Devon Creek's 2024 Franchise Disclosure Document, franchisees are responsible for paying technology-related fees to both Devon Creek and third-party vendors. Specifically, franchisees must cover all expenses for technology required by the Franchise Agreement. These expenses include, but are not limited to, the costs of computer hardware and software, recurring fees for software and Internet access, license fees, and user-based fees.

This means that as a Devon Creek franchisee, you should anticipate ongoing technology costs beyond the initial franchise fee. These costs are in addition to the $125 per week technology fee that franchisees must pay to Devon Creek. The franchisor also has the discretion to increase the technology fees by 10% per year, up to a maximum of $500 per week, or replace the technology with different technology developed by Devon Creek or a third party, and the franchisee will pay the then-current fees for the replacement technology and for continuous access thereto.

Furthermore, Devon Creek franchisees are solely responsible for maintaining the security and integrity of their computer and payment processing systems. This includes implementing necessary security procedures, updates, and upgrades to protect against viruses, malware, privacy breaches, and unauthorized access. Therefore, franchisees should budget not only for the initial technology setup but also for continuous maintenance, security, and potential upgrades to remain compliant with Devon Creek's standards and protect customer data.