Who is responsible for the ongoing maintenance and repairs to the computer and software used in a Fly Fitness franchise?
Fly_Fitness Franchise · 2024 FDDAnswer from 2024 FDD Document
e own all customer data stored in your Mariana Tek account.
We have no obligation to maintain, repair, update or upgrade your computer and software. At your cost, you must provide on-going maintenance and repairs to your computer and software. You must upgrade your computer hardware and software as necessary to operate the most current version of Mariana Tek, QuickBooks, other required applications, or any replacements thereto. We cannot estimate the cost of maintaining, updating, and upgrading your computer and software because it will depend on the make and model of your computer, required upgrades to operate our current membership management and payment processing, accounting, marketing and other
applications, repair history, usage, local cost of computer maintenance services in your area and technological advances that we ca
Source: Item 11 — FRANCHISOR'S ASSISTANCE, ADVERTISING, COMPUTER SYSTEMS AND TRAINING (FDD pages 22–29)
What This Means (2024 FDD)
According to Fly Fitness's 2024 Franchise Disclosure Document, the franchisee is solely responsible for the ongoing maintenance and repairs to the computer and software used in their franchise. Fly Fitness states they have no obligation to maintain, repair, update, or upgrade the franchisee's computer and software. The franchisee bears the cost of these services. This includes upgrading computer hardware and software to operate the most current versions of required programs like Mariana Tek and QuickBooks.
Fly Fitness cannot estimate the cost of maintaining, updating, and upgrading the computer systems. The cost depends on factors such as the computer's make and model, required upgrades, and technological advancements. The franchisee is responsible for ensuring their systems meet Fly Fitness's minimum specifications and for any costs associated with changes to these requirements.
This arrangement is fairly typical in franchising, where franchisees generally bear the responsibility for maintaining their own equipment and technology. However, the open-ended nature of potential upgrade costs and the lack of control over software changes could pose a financial risk to Fly Fitness franchisees. It would be prudent for a prospective franchisee to budget conservatively for IT maintenance and upgrades and to discuss potential long-term technology costs with existing franchisees during their due diligence.