Is the Manual Fee refundable for a Gold Star franchise?
Gold_Star Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
| Type of Fee | Amount | Due Date | Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|
| Supplier Payment Assignment5 | 100% of product and/or advertising rebates or allowances from certain system- wide suppliers | Assigned when Franchise Agreement is signed | Payable to GSCAA Non-refundable |
| Inventory and Other Materials6 | See Item 8 of this disclosure document | On delivery or as established by designated supplier | Payable to designated supplier Non-refundable |
| Manual Fee | $100 for any additional copy | On delivery | Payable to Gold Star Non-refundable |
| Additional Training Fee7 | Reasonable training fee at our current rates. Also, you must reimburse us for our reasonable out of pocket costs (travel, accommodations, etc.) | Before opening or after you open your franchised Restaurant for business. | Payable to Gold Star Non-refundable |
| Approval Fees8 | Not to exceed reasonable cost of inspection and actual cost of testing or evaluation | On demand | Payable to Gold Star Non-refundable |
| Transfer Fee9 | Set by Gold Star in its discretion - currently $3,500 | Before consummation of transfer or sale | Payable to Gold Star by any transferee (not the Franchisor) Non-refundable |
Source: Item 6 — OTHER FEES (FDD pages 12–18)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Gold Star's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, the Manual Fee is not refundable. If a franchisee requires an additional copy of the manual, they must pay Gold Star $100 upon delivery. This fee is non-refundable, meaning that under no circumstances will the franchisee receive this money back from Gold Star.
This policy is common in franchising, as the cost of producing and delivering the manual is an expense incurred by the franchisor. Making the fee non-refundable ensures that Gold Star is compensated for its costs, regardless of whether the franchisee proceeds with the franchise or not.
Prospective franchisees should factor this non-refundable fee into their initial investment costs. While $100 may seem like a small amount, it is important to understand all the fees associated with the franchise and their refundability to accurately assess the overall financial commitment.