What forms of payment are acceptable for the Engel & Volkers initial franchise fee?

According to Engel & Volkers's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, the initial franchise fee and the Limited Purpose Location Fee must be paid via cashier's check, certified bank check, or any other method that Engel & Volkers requires, as detailed in the Franchise Agreement. The initial franchise fee is at a minimum of $35,000, but could be higher depending on factors such as the size of the protected area, the number of locations, market potential, population base, the character of its residential properties, and the total market turn-over. An additional initial franchise fee of $5,000 applies if Engel & Volkers grants the franchisee the right to open and operate an additional physical location within their protected area. Furthermore, an additional one-time fee of $2,500 will apply for any Limited Purpose Location that Engel & Volkers may permit the franchisee to open.

It is important to note that both the initial franchise fee and the Limited Purpose Location Fee are non-refundable. This means that once these fees are paid to Engel & Volkers, they will not be returned to the franchisee under any circumstances. Prospective franchisees should carefully consider their financial situation and business plan before committing to these fees.

In the franchise industry, it is common for franchisors to specify acceptable payment methods for initial franchise fees to ensure secure and verifiable transactions. The methods accepted by Engel & Volkers—cashier's check and certified bank check—are standard and provide a secure way to transfer funds. The flexibility to allow "any other method as we require in accordance with the Franchise Agreement" gives Engel & Volkers the option to adapt to changing banking practices or specific franchisee circumstances, but it also places the onus on the franchisee to confirm these alternative methods are acceptable and clearly documented in the agreement.