What condition must a Zoomin Groomin franchisee meet before the initial franchise fee is due in Illinois?
Zoomin_Groomin Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
- F. Payment of the initial franchise fee shall be deferred until Franchisor has satisfied its preopening obligations to Franchisee and Franchisee has commenced doing business. The Illinois Attorney General's Office imposed this deferral requirement due to Franchisor's financial condition.
Source: Item 17 — g. of the Disclosure Document is modified to state that, in addition to the grounds for immediate termination specified in Item 17.h., the franchisor can terminate upon written notice and a 60 day opportunity to cure for a breach of the Franchise Agreement. (FDD pages 51–65)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Zoomin Groomin's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, Illinois franchisees do not have to pay the initial franchise fee until certain conditions are met. Specifically, the payment of the initial franchise fee is deferred until Zoomin Groomin has fulfilled its pre-opening obligations to the franchisee. Additionally, the franchisee must have commenced business operations before the initial franchise fee is due.
This deferral requirement was imposed by the Illinois Attorney General's Office due to Zoomin Groomin's financial condition. This means that prospective franchisees in Illinois will not be required to pay the initial franchise fee upfront, which can be a significant financial benefit. Instead, they can delay this payment until Zoomin Groomin has provided the necessary support and the franchisee has started their business.
This condition provides some financial security for new Zoomin Groomin franchisees in Illinois, as they are not obligated to pay the initial fee until the franchisor has met its obligations and the business is up and running. Franchisees should confirm with Zoomin Groomin that all pre-opening obligations have been met and that they have indeed commenced business operations before remitting the initial franchise fee.