What expenses is the Epcon Communities franchisee responsible for if consulting services are provided at the franchisee's place of business?

According to Epcon Communities' 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, if consulting services are provided at the franchisee's place of business, the franchisee is responsible for covering all travel, lodging, meal, and incidental expenses incurred by any consultant from Epcon Communities providing these services. These consulting services are provided at Epcon Communities' discretion and can take place at the corporate offices, via telephone, through virtual meetings, or at the franchisee's business location.

This means that franchisees need to budget for these potential costs when requesting or receiving on-site consulting. The expenses can vary significantly depending on the distance traveled, the duration of the consulting engagement, and the consultant's daily expenses. It is important for franchisees to discuss the scope and estimated costs of on-site consulting services with Epcon Communities beforehand to manage their budget effectively.

Franchisees should also be aware that Epcon Communities retains the right to charge a reasonable fee for some or all consulting services. This is in addition to covering the consultant's travel and related expenses. Therefore, it is crucial to clarify whether the consulting services will incur a direct fee from Epcon Communities, and to understand how that fee is calculated. This will allow franchisees to make informed decisions about utilizing consulting services and to avoid unexpected costs.