Is a Fat Shack franchisee required to obtain a computer system for their administrative office?
Fat_Shack Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
In addition to your POS System, you will need to obtain a computer system for your administrative office. This computer system is to be used for maintaining your financial and payroll records and other business records. You may use a laptop or other similar computer and business software. We do not currently have any requirements regarding the computer hardware and software, although we reserve the right to establish standards in the future.
Source: Item 11 — Franchisor's Assistance, Advertising, Computer Systems, and Training (FDD pages 28–36)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to the 2025 Fat Shack Franchise Disclosure Document, franchisees are required to obtain a computer system for their administrative office. This system is intended for maintaining financial, payroll, and other business records. The FDD indicates that franchisees can use a laptop or similar computer with appropriate business software.
Currently, Fat Shack does not specify particular hardware or software requirements for this administrative computer system. However, the FDD states that Fat Shack reserves the right to establish such standards in the future. This means that a franchisee might need to upgrade or change their computer system to meet new requirements set by Fat Shack, potentially incurring additional costs.
In addition to the administrative computer, Fat Shack franchisees must also acquire a Point of Sale (POS) system and a surveillance security system for their restaurant. The POS system hardware currently approved is the Toast point of sale system, customized for Fat Shack Restaurants and include credit card processing capabilities. The estimated cost for the POS system ranges from $7,000 to $12,000, with ongoing support and maintenance costs estimated at $350 to $500 monthly. Fat Shack retains the right to change the required POS system, back office computer hardware and software, and surveillance security system, and franchisees are responsible for the costs associated with any required conversions, upgrades, and updates.