Under what circumstances is the initial Conference Registration Fee for a Focalpoint Coaching franchise refundable?
Focalpoint_Coaching Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
on the Territory specific to Franchisee's Franchised Business. This fee is due, and fully earned by Franchisor, when Franchisee signs this Agreement and is not refundable under any circumstances.
F. CONFERENCE REGISTRATION FEE.
Upon execution of this Agreement, Franchisee shall pay Franchisor a non-refundable conference registration fee (the "Conference Registration Fee") of Two Thousand Two Hundred Fifty Dollars ($2,250), plus any applicable taxes. This fee is due, and fully earned by Franchisor, when Franchisee signs this Agreement and is not refundable under any circumstances. In addition, Franchisee agrees to pay Franchisor an annual Conference Registration Fee for Franchisor's costs associated with the annual national and/or regional conferences for FocalPoint Franchised Business franchise owners, not to exceed Three Thousand Five Hundred Dollars ($3,500) per person, plus any applicable taxes. Franchisee agrees to pay Franchisor an additional Conference Registration Fee for each Associate that attends any national and/or regional conferences for FocalPoint Franchised Business franchise owners. From Month 13 immediately following the Effective Date through the remainder of the term of this Agreement, Franchisee must pay the entire Conference Registration Fee each year either in a lump sum at least sixty (60) days prior to attending the annual conference or a prorated monthly amount of the Conference Registration Fee on the fifteenth (15th) day of each month, which Franchisor determines each year in Franchisor's sole discretion and notifies Franchisee of the required payment timing in electronic communication
Source: Item 22 — Contracts (FDD pages 56–57)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to the 2025 Focalpoint Coaching Franchise Disclosure Document, the initial Conference Registration Fee is not refundable under any circumstances. The FDD states that upon signing the agreement, the franchisee must pay a non-refundable fee of $2,250, plus any applicable taxes. This fee is considered fully earned by Focalpoint Coaching once the agreement is signed.
This means that a prospective Focalpoint Coaching franchisee should be aware that this $2,250 fee is a sunk cost. Regardless of whether the franchisee decides to proceed with opening the franchise, or if the agreement is terminated for any reason, the franchisee will not receive a refund of this initial conference registration fee. This is a fairly standard practice in franchising, as many initial fees are designed to cover the franchisor's initial expenses in setting up the franchisee.
In addition to the initial, non-refundable conference registration fee, the franchisee also agrees to pay an annual Conference Registration Fee for Focalpoint Coaching's costs associated with the annual national and/or regional conferences for FocalPoint Franchised Business franchise owners, not to exceed $3,500 per person, plus any applicable taxes. The franchisee must pay the entire Conference Registration Fee each year either in a lump sum at least sixty (60) days prior to attending the annual conference or a prorated monthly amount of the Conference Registration Fee on the fifteenth (15th) day of each month. Failure to attend the annual national and/or any regional conference does not waive Franchisee's obligation to pay the Conference Registration Fee or any other fees due and payable for regional conferences.