What late charge might a Dq Treat franchisee incur for overdue payments to Acumera?
Dq_Treat Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
Overdue Payments.** At Acumera's discretion, any undisputed payment not received from Participating Location by the due date may accrue late charges at the rate of one and a half percent (1.5%) of the outstanding balance per month, or at the maximum rate permitted by law, whichever is lower, from the date
- **10.4.
Suspension of Service.** If Participating Location's account is fifteen (15) days or more overdue, in addition to any of its other rights or remedies, Acumera reserves the right to suspend the Service provided to Participating Location, without liability to Acumera, until such amounts are paid in full; provided, however, that prior to any such suspension, Acumera shall provide Participating Location with at least ten (10) days' prior written notice that payment is overdue and the date upon which Services will be suspended if payment is not received.
Acumera may require an activation fee to change or resume a suspended Account.
Source: Item 17 — The following paragraph is added to the end of Item 17 of the Disclosure Document: (FDD pages 70–378)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Dq Treat's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, a franchisee may incur late charges for overdue payments to Acumera. Specifically, if a franchisee fails to make undisputed payments to Acumera by the due date, Acumera has the discretion to impose a late charge.
The late charge is calculated at a rate of 1.5% per month on the outstanding balance. However, the FDD stipulates that the late charge will not exceed the maximum rate permitted by law if that rate is lower than 1.5%. This means Dq Treat franchisees need to be aware of the potential for late fees if they do not pay Acumera on time, but the fee will be capped at the legal limit if applicable.
In addition to late charges, the 2025 Dq Treat FDD states that Acumera can suspend services if an account is 15 days or more overdue. Acumera must provide at least 10 days' prior written notice before suspending service, giving the franchisee an opportunity to rectify the overdue payment. Acumera may also require an activation fee to resume service after suspension. Therefore, prompt payment is crucial to avoid service interruptions and additional fees.