Is the initial franchise fee for a Mr. Sandless franchise refundable?
Mr_Sandless Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
Initial Franchise Fee
You will pay us an Initial Franchise Fee when you sign the Franchise Agreement. The amount of the Initial Franchise Fee will depend on the number of territories you purchase and is calculated as $15,000 for the first territory of approximately 200,000 population and $5,000 for each additional territory of approximately 100,000 population. The minimum initial franchise fee is $15,000 for a single territory purchase of approximately 200,000 population. The maximum initial franchise fee is $30,000 for a 4-territory purchase of approximately 500,000 population.
The initial franchise fee is due in a lump sum at the time the Franchise Agreement is signed, is deemed fully earned upon payment and is nonrefundable.
Pre-Opening Purchases
Before your Mr. Sandless Business opens, you must purchase from us our Franchise Starter Kit. The Franchise Starter Kit includes: One of our specialized floor machines, all the hard equipment you will use in the system, enough liquids to cover your opening month including 70 gallons of solutions for real wood to concrete and everything in between, six Mr. Sandless uniform shirts in your choice of large, extra-large or double X, two vehicle magnets, one hundred sales cards, one hundred business cards, one hundred aftercare packs, one hundred door knob hangers, two road signs, and includes shipping of the Franchise Starter Kit to your door. The total cost of the Kit including shipping is $10,000. Payment for this purchase is not refundable.
Source: Item 5 — INITIAL FEES (FDD page 9)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Mr. Sandless's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, the initial franchise fee is not refundable. The initial franchise fee is due when the Franchise Agreement is signed and is considered fully earned upon payment. The amount of the initial franchise fee depends on the number of territories purchased. The fee is $15,000 for the first territory, which covers a population of approximately 200,000. For each additional territory covering approximately 100,000 people, the fee is $5,000. The minimum initial franchise fee is $15,000, while the maximum is $30,000 for a 4-territory purchase.
In addition to the initial franchise fee, Mr. Sandless franchisees must purchase a Franchise Starter Kit before opening their business. The kit costs $10,000, including shipping, and this payment is also non-refundable. The Franchise Starter Kit includes a specialized floor machine, essential equipment, an opening month's supply of liquids, uniforms, vehicle magnets, sales and business cards, aftercare packs, door knob hangers, and road signs.
Prospective franchisees should be aware that the non-refundable nature of the initial franchise fee and the Franchise Starter Kit cost means that these funds are not recoverable should the franchisee decide not to proceed with opening the Mr. Sandless business after signing the Franchise Agreement and purchasing the kit. This is a common practice in franchising, as the franchisor incurs costs in evaluating and setting up a new franchisee. Franchisees should carefully consider their decision before signing the agreement and making these payments.