How do the Exit restrictions on suppliers (Item 8) affect the franchisee's ability to manage pre-opening purchases (Item 9) within the estimated initial investment (Item 7), considering other fees (Item 6)?
Exit Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
n the vendor.
ITEM 8 RESTRICTIONS ON SOURCES OF PRODUCTS AND SERVICES
You must purchase all stationery, merchandising material and/or anything else that is utilized by you that contains EXIT's logo and/or Marks from EXIT's Approved Suppliers or Suppliers that sign a Confidentiality and License Agreement with EXIT. EXIT, through its Affiliate, Ah$um America, Inc., maintains a list of Approved Suppliers. If you wish to have a supplier designated as "Approved," you may submit information about the supplier and its relevant products or services to Ah$um America, Inc. for review. Ah$um America, Inc. will not unreasonably withhold its approval of any supplier that meets the quality standards set forth in the EXIT Training Manual and agrees to sign Ah$um America, Inc.'s then current Terms and Conditions document for Approved Suppliers. Ah$um America, Inc. will notify you of its decision within 60 days of your submission. Ah$um America, Inc. reserves the right to re-inspect the products or services of any Approved Supplier and revoke its approval if the service or product fails to meet the quality standards set forth in the EXIT Training Manual. Ah$um America, Inc. will send written notice of any revocation to the Approved Supplier. Ah$um America does not impose a fee or cost for Supplier approval.
Ah$um America, Inc. applies the following general criteria in approving a proposed Supplier:
- (a) Ability to make Product in conformity with EXIT's specifications;
- (b) Production, supply considerations and delivery capability;
- (c) Reputation and integrity of Supplier;
- (d) Financial condition and insurance coverage of Supplier.
Approved Suppliers are sent written notice of any modifications in EXIT quality standards.
EXIT is the only approved supplier for certain computer software for the Franchise report system known as MEMO. You must purchase a compatible computer for the Franchise MEMO system. The computer requirements are described in ITEM 11. The MEMO system has been developed and will be licensed by EXIT to you. There is no initial cost for the system. You must pay a monthly license fee of $250.00. If you own more than 1 EXIT Franchise, and those are operated by the same legal entity and use the same trade name, the monthly license fee for the second and subsequent Franchise Agreements shall be reduced to 25% of the monthly license fee charged at the time the subsequent Franchise Agreement(s) is signed.
You must comply with quality standards and specifications described in EXIT's Training Manuals for furnishings, fixtures, equipment and operating supplies.
Approved Suppliers may pay EXIT, through Ah$um America, Inc., a royalty based on sales revenues for each product sold utilizing the EXIT Mark. The amount is negotiated with each approved supplier, as a percentage of revenues or a flat fee, and varies from Supplier to Supplier. Based on the most recent audited financial statements, EXIT, through Ah$um America, Inc., received $246,406.79 in royalties from Approved Suppliers in 2024 and $1,370,925.52 from its MEMO software license and access fees in 2024. The total of these amounts constitutes 6.9% of EXIT's 2024 revenues, which totaled $19,674,709.52. Based on the most recent audited financial statements, EXIT's Affiliates received no revenue from sales to franchisees.
We estimate that the required purchases described above are 3.0% to 12.0% of the cost to establish and operate the EXIT Franchise (this includes the exterior sign(s), office supplies, yard signs and MEMO fees).
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Exit's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, franchisees must adhere to specific supplier restrictions that can influence their pre-opening expenses and overall initial investment. Item 8 states that franchisees must purchase stationery, merchandising material, and anything with Exit's logo from approved suppliers or those with a confidentiality and license agreement with Exit. This limits the franchisee's ability to shop around for potentially lower prices, as they are restricted to using Exit's approved suppliers for these branded items. Exit estimates that required purchases from approved suppliers account for 3.0% to 12.0% of the total cost to establish and operate the Exit franchise. This includes exterior signs, office supplies, yard signs, and MEMO fees.
Exit is the only approved supplier for certain computer software for the Franchise report system known as MEMO. While there is no initial cost for the MEMO system, franchisees must pay a monthly license fee of $250. If a franchisee owns more than one Exit franchise operated by the same legal entity and trade name, the monthly license fee for the second and subsequent franchise agreements is reduced to 25% of the standard monthly fee. This ongoing fee contributes to the franchisee's operating expenses, which are factored into the estimated initial investment.
Item 9 outlines the franchisee's obligations, referencing Items 5, 6, and 7 for pre-opening purchases and fees. Item 7 provides an estimated initial investment range, which includes expenses like legal fees, staff salaries, utilities, and operating expenses for the first six months. It also covers travel, lodging, and incidental expenses for initial training, but does not include an owner's salary or draw. The initial investment can be affected by the cost of pre-opening purchases from approved vendors. Franchisees need to carefully manage these purchases to stay within the estimated initial investment, considering the restrictions on suppliers and the ongoing MEMO system fees. Failing to attend the training or canceling on less than 30 days' notice will result in a $500 fee.
While Exit does not impose a fee for supplier approval, Ah$um America, Inc. maintains a list of approved suppliers and applies criteria such as the supplier's ability to conform to Exit's specifications, production and delivery capability, reputation, and financial condition. This process ensures quality control but also limits the franchisee's choice of suppliers. Franchisees should factor in these restrictions and the associated costs when planning their pre-opening purchases and managing their initial investment.