When must a Gold Star franchisee deliver the renewal fee to the company?

According to Gold Star's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, a franchisee must deliver the renewal fee to the company at the time of execution of the new franchise agreement. The renewal fee must be delivered via certified check and serves as a substitute for the initial franchise fee that would otherwise be required under the new franchise agreement.

To renew their franchise agreement, Gold Star franchisees must meet several conditions. They must satisfy all accrued monetary obligations to Gold Star and its affiliates, remain compliant with the standards outlined in the company's manual, and complete any required modernization, renovations, or repairs to the retail location. Additionally, the franchisee, along with any manager, operator, or key employee, must satisfactorily complete any required initial or refresher training programs.

The new franchise agreement that a franchisee signs may differ significantly from the original agreement. These differences can include variations in the franchise agreement terms, higher continuing franchise fees, increased advertising expenditures, different fees or charges, a different term length, altered protected territory, different renewal rights, and other varying terms. Franchisees should carefully review these changes to understand their obligations and the financial implications of renewing their franchise agreement with Gold Star.