Is a Fitstop franchisee required to have a dedicated phone line for the franchised business?
Fitstop Franchise · 2024 FDDAnswer from 2024 FDD Document
- 6.4.2 You must expend the minimum amount equal to 1% of the Gross Revenue generated by the Franchised Business during the preceding calendar month of operations to market, promote and advertise the Franchised Business within the Designated Territory (the "Local Marketing Requirement" or "LMR"). We may require that all or some portion of your LMR be expended on services/collateral that you must acquire from one (1) or more of our then-current Approved Suppliers. Upon our request, you must provide us with invoices or other proof of your monthly expenditures on local advertising and marketing. You must ensure that: (i) the Franchised Business has a dedicated phone line for use in connection with the Franchised Business only (and no other business, including any other System Business); and (ii) the Franchised Business is listed in the appropriate Internet-based directories that we designate in the Manual(s) or otherwise.
Source: Item 23 — RECEIPTS (FDD pages 50–135)
What This Means (2024 FDD)
According to Fitstop's 2024 Franchise Disclosure Document, franchisees are required to have a dedicated phone line for their Fitstop business. Specifically, the FDD states that the Franchised Business must have a dedicated phone line for use solely in connection with the Franchised Business, and not for any other business, including any other System Business.
This requirement is part of the franchisee's local marketing responsibilities. In addition to having a dedicated phone line, the Fitstop franchisee must ensure that the Franchised Business is listed in the appropriate Internet-based directories that Fitstop designates in the Manual(s) or otherwise.
This dedicated phone line ensures that all communications related to the Fitstop franchise are handled separately, which can help in managing customer inquiries and business operations more efficiently. It also supports Fitstop's brand consistency and customer service standards. The franchisee is responsible for the costs associated with maintaining this dedicated phone line.