What is the Ella Cafe Franchisee required to purchase or lease to accept payments?
Ella_Cafe Franchise · 2024 FDDAnswer from 2024 FDD Document
include (but are not limited to) a customer feedback system, customer survey programs, and
mystery shopping. Franchisor shall share with Franchisee the results of these programs, as they pertain to the Business. Franchisee must meet or exceed any minimum score requirements set by Franchisor for such programs.
- 7.11 Payment Systems. Franchisee shall accept payment from customers in any form or manner designated by Franchisor (which may include, for example, cash, specific credit and/or debit cards, gift cards, electronic fund transfer systems, and mobile payment systems). Franchisee shall purchase or lease all equipment and enter into all business relationships necessary to accept payments as required by Franchisor. Franchisee must at all times comply with payment card industry data security standards (PCI-DSS).
- 7.12 Gift Cards, Loyalty Programs, and Incentive Programs. At its own expense, Franchisee shall sell or otherwise issue gift cards, certificates, or other pre-paid systems, and participate in any customer loyalty programs, membership/subscription programs, or customer incentive programs, designated by Franchisor, in the manner specified by Franchisor in the Manual or otherwise in writing.
Source: Item 22 — CONTRACTS (FDD page 50)
What This Means (2024 FDD)
According to Ella Cafe's 2024 Franchise Disclosure Document, franchisees must accept payments in any form designated by Ella Cafe, including cash, credit/debit cards, gift cards, electronic fund transfers, and mobile payment systems. To facilitate these transactions, franchisees are required to purchase or lease all necessary equipment and establish the business relationships needed to accept these payments.
Ella Cafe also mandates that franchisees accept debit cards, credit cards, stored value cards, or other non-cash payment systems and methods that Ella Cafe specifies periodically and participate in Ella Cafe's required payment procedures and collection of funds relating thereto. Franchisees must acquire and install all necessary hardware and/or software used in connection with these non-cash payment systems and pay the costs associated therewith.
Furthermore, franchisees must process all sales through approved POS systems and report them as gross sales, and no other supplemental or secondary POS system may be used. The computer system and/or POS for the Ella Coffee House must be dedicated to the operation of the Ella Coffee House business and used for no other purpose. Franchisees are also responsible for maintaining compliance with payment card industry data security standards (PCI-DSS).