Does Engineering For Kids currently have independent access to a franchisee's computers?
Engineering_For_Kids Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
We do not currently have independent access to your computers (or the information stored there), but will have the right to request access to all of your information and data (or to change our standards to permit us to have independent access), and there are no contractual limitations on our right to access the information and data. If we implement a new accounting program/system, you will have 12 months to fully integrate the new program/system. We also can require that you use and keep updated approved contact management software to track customer information.
If we adopt and implement a computer network record-keeping system and/or other technology-related tools to allow you to more effectively manage your Engineering For Kids Franchise, to allow us to have independent and instant on-line access to your records, and/or for other business purposes, you must purchase the required equipment, input all required information related to the new systems or tools, participate as required in any new program, and pay any applicable technology fees charged by us or our designee, to assist in covering costs of the applicable program/system/tools.
You must upgrade any hardware component or software program as we require during the term of the Franchise Agreement. We have no obligation to provide assistance to you in obtaining the computer hardware and software (other than providing the specifications for these items), or to provide ongoing maintenance, repairs or updates to your computer system. There are no contractual limits on the frequency or cost of your obligations to obtain these upgrades.
Source: Item 11 — FRANCHISOR'S ASSISTANCE, ADVERTISING, COMPUTER SYSTEMS, AND TRAINING (FDD pages 25–36)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to the 2025 Engineering For Kids FDD, Engineering For Kids does not currently have independent access to a franchisee's computers or the information stored on them. However, Engineering For Kids retains the right to request access to all of a franchisee's information and data, and there are no contractual limitations on their right to access this information. Engineering For Kids also has the right to change their standards to permit them to have independent access in the future.
Engineering For Kids can implement a computer network record-keeping system or other technology-related tools that would allow them to have independent and instant online access to a franchisee's records. If this occurs, the franchisee would be required to purchase the necessary equipment, input all required information, participate in any new program, and pay any applicable technology fees.
Franchisees must also upgrade any hardware or software as required by Engineering For Kids during the term of the Franchise Agreement, and there are no contractual limits on the frequency or cost of these required upgrades. While Engineering For Kids will provide specifications for computer hardware and software, they are not obligated to provide assistance in obtaining these items or to provide ongoing maintenance, repairs, or updates to the computer system.