When are the architectural fees due for a Marble Slab Creamery franchise?
Marble_Slab_Creamery Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
ESTMENT
Traditional Restaurant
| Type of Expenditure | Amo | ount | Method of | When Due | To Whom Payment Is to Be |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 71 1 | Low | High | Payment | Made | |
| Franchise Fee 1 | $25,000 | $25,000 | Lump sum | At signing of Franchise Agreement | Us |
| Grand Opening | $3,000 | $5,000 | As incurred | As incurred | Third party |
| Marketing 2 | suppliers or us | ||||
| Travel and Living Expenses While Training 3 | $1,000 | $5,000 | As incurred | As incurred | Airlines, hotels, and restaurants |
| Other Opening Inventory 4 | $5,700 | $15,150 | Lump Sum | Before opening | Third Party Suppliers |
| Architectural Fees 5 | $10,000 | $14,500 | As incurred | As incurred | Approved Architects |
| Furniture, fixtures, equipment and decor 6 | $121,000 | $150,000 | As incurred | As incurred | Third parties |
| Signs | $8,500 | $15,000 | As incurred | As incurred | Third parties |
| Prepaid rent and security deposit 7 | $2,500 | $5,000 | As incurred | As incurred | Landlord |
| Leasehold improvements 8 | $155,000 | $201,000 | As incurred | As incurred | Various contractors / suppliers |
| Utility deposits 9 | $2,200 | $3,000 | As incurred | As incurred | Utility companies |
| Type of Expenditure | Amo | ount | Method of When Due | To Whom Payment Is to Be | |
| ------------------------------------------------------------------------ | ----------- | ----------- | -------------------- | -------------- | ---------------------------------------------------- |
| 31 1 | Low | High | Payment | Made | |
| Professional Fees 10 | $1,000 | $6,000 | As incurred | As incurred | Your attorneys, accountants, and business advisors |
| Point of Sale Systems | $7,600 | $14,000 | As incurred | As incurred | Suppliers |
| (POS) and related | |||||
| technology 11 | |||||
| Business licenses, permits, etc. (for first 6 months) 12 | $1,500 | $2,500 | As incurred | As incurred | Government Agencies |
| Insurance (3 months) 13 | $2,500 | $3,500 | As incurred | As incurred | Insurance companies |
| Additional Funds (3 Months) 14 | $8,000 | $12,000 | As incurred | As incurred | Employees, suppliers, utilities, etc. |
| TOTALS 15 | $354,500 | $476,650 |
Source: Item 7 — ESTIMATED INITIAL INVESTMENT (FDD pages 32–43)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to the 2025 Marble Slab Creamery FDD, the architectural fees are due 'as incurred' for the Traditional Restaurant, Non-Traditional Restaurant, and Satellite locations. This means that the franchisee will need to pay the approved architects as the expenses arise during the architectural design and planning phase of setting up the Marble Slab Creamery location.
The estimated cost for architectural fees varies depending on the type of Marble Slab Creamery restaurant. For a Traditional Restaurant, the fees range from $10,000 to $14,500. For a Non-Traditional Restaurant, the fees are between $9,000 and $12,000. For a Satellite location, the fees are estimated to be between $1,500 and $6,750.
As the architectural fees are paid directly to the 'approved architects,' it is important for prospective Marble Slab Creamery franchisees to ensure they understand the payment schedule and have a clear agreement with the architects to manage cash flow effectively. The 'as incurred' payment term means franchisees should budget and plan for these expenses throughout the design and construction phases, rather than paying a lump sum upfront.