If a Fly Fitness franchisee requests a replacement manual, must they pay a fee?

According to Fly Fitness's 2024 Franchise Disclosure Document, a franchisee may have to pay a fee to replace a lost manual. Specifically, if a Fly Fitness franchisee loses, misplaces, or requests a physical copy of the manual, the franchisor has the discretion to provide a physical copy. If Fly Fitness chooses to provide a replacement manual, the franchisee must pay the then-current replacement fee.

This policy means that franchisees should take care to properly store and maintain their operations manuals. While Fly Fitness is not obligated to provide a replacement, if they do, it will come at a cost to the franchisee. The FDD does not specify the amount of this replacement fee, so prospective franchisees should inquire about the current fee for a replacement manual to factor this potential expense into their budget.

Many franchisors have similar policies regarding the replacement of lost or damaged manuals, often charging a fee to cover the costs of printing and shipping a new copy. This is because the operations manual contains proprietary and confidential information critical to the operation of the franchise, and the franchisor needs to control its distribution. Franchisees should consider this policy and the associated costs as part of their overall assessment of the Fly Fitness franchise opportunity.