What is the purpose of the 'counter automation system' that Dollar Rent A Car franchisees must utilize?
Dollar_Rent_A_Car Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
handle multiple deposit and payment methods, and prepare numerous reports concerning the operation of Your Franchised Business, among other things.
You must purchase and utilize a "counter automation system" for Your Franchised Business. Counter automation systems are software systems that maintain "ready to rent" information of cars in each category, provide a preferred customer database to facilitate reservation and rental processing, as well as rate and rental information. You must pay any fees or expenses associated with any third-party software agreement and comply with the terms of any such agreement. We use these systems to transmit reservation information to you in a format that we require and to collect and monitor closed rental agreement information from Your Franchised Business by electronic polling.
The following counter automation software systems are currently the only software approved for use as part of your Approved Counter System:
- (i) Cars Thermeon Corporate Services, Santa Ana, California;
- (ii) Bluebird Auto Rental Systems, Dover, New Jersey;
- (iii) The System Distributors, Inc., North Andover, Massachusetts;
- (iv) Fourth Tier Solutions, Hertfordshire, United Kingdom;
- (v) Karz Systems, Inc., Evans, CA; and
- (vi) Capture (Overland West, Inc.), Ogden, Utah.
Source: Item 11 — FRANCHISOR'S ASSISTANCE, ADVERTISING, COMPUTER SYSTEMS, AND TRAINING (FDD pages 61–69)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Dollar Rent A Car's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, franchisees are required to purchase and use a 'counter automation system' as part of their Approved Counter System. This system is designed to maintain real-time information on the availability of cars in each category, manage a customer database to streamline reservations and rentals, and provide rate and rental information.
The Approved Counter System supports multiple offices and rental fleets, prints rental agreements, handles various deposit and payment methods, and generates reports related to the operation of the Dollar Rent A Car franchise. Dollar Rent A Car uses these systems to transmit reservation information to franchisees in a required format and to collect and monitor closed rental agreement information electronically.
The cost for the Approved Counter System, including both hardware and software, is estimated to range from $11,500 to $250,000, depending on the number of systems installed. Franchisees must also purchase software support from approved suppliers, if offered. Dollar Rent A Car also has the right to change the approved software systems, requiring franchisees to purchase new software licenses at their own expense. Furthermore, Dollar Rent A Car requires access to the electronic data recorded in the franchisee's computer system on a 24/7 basis, including information on rental transactions, vehicles, reservations, and customer profiles.