Is the Initial Fee for an Exit Realty Upper Midwest franchise refundable?

According to Exit's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, the initial franchise fee is not refundable. This fee ranges from $7,500 to $25,000, depending on the population density of the franchisee's protected territory.

The initial fee structure is based on the following criteria: $25,000 for territories with a population exceeding 50,000, $15,000 for populations between 15,000 and 50,000 if the territory is more than 2 miles from an area with a population exceeding 50,000, and $7,500 for populations under 15,000 if the territory is more than 2 miles from an area with a population exceeding 5,000. Exit Realty Upper Midwest retains 75% of the initial fee, while Exit is paid the remaining 25%.

This non-refundable policy means that a prospective Exit franchisee should carefully evaluate their market and business plan before signing the Franchise Agreement and paying the initial fee. It is important to understand the specific territory being granted and its potential for generating revenue, as the initial fee will not be returned even if the franchisee later decides not to proceed with opening the franchise.