What is the maximum annual fee increase Acumera can impose on Dq Treat locations?
Dq_Treat Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
For Fees related to the Core Services as described in an applicable Work Order, Acumera will use commercially reasonable efforts to maintain the Fees at the price specified in the Work Order for the duration of the Participating Location's term.
However, Acumera may increase such Fees once per year as necessary to accommodate unforeseen increases in its costs, subject to a maximum annual increase equal to the lesser of 2% or the amount of Consumer Price Index ("CPI") increase calculated based on the immediately preceding unadjusted 12 months (10/01 through 9/30), derived from the U.S.
Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics web site, https://www.bls.gov/news.release/cpi.nr0.htm.
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 the 2025 Dq Treat FDD, Acumera, a third-party vendor, may increase fees for core services provided to Dq Treat franchisees. These fee adjustments can only occur once per year. The maximum annual increase is capped at the lesser of 2% or the Consumer Price Index (CPI) increase.
The CPI increase is calculated based on the immediately preceding unadjusted 12 months, specifically from October 1st through September 30th. The data is derived from the U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics website.
This means that a Dq Treat franchisee's fees for Acumera's core services could potentially increase each year, but the increase is limited by either a fixed percentage (2%) or the actual rate of inflation as measured by the CPI, whichever is lower. Franchisees should monitor the CPI to anticipate potential fee adjustments. This also allows Dq Treat franchisees to budget accordingly for these potential increases and understand the factors influencing these costs.