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Hidden and Creeping Franchise Fees

By Rupert Barkoff
December 31, 2015

Every franchise lawyer knows that one of the conditions for a distribution arrangement to be considered a franchise is that the franchisee is required to pay (whether in cash or other consideration) a “fee” to the franchisor or its affiliate (hereinafter referred to collectively as the “Franchisor”). The term “fee” is broader than it might first appear. Direct fees are easy to spot ' usually, they are represented by cash payment to the franchisor for the right to obtain access to the franchisor's system and trademarks, and may be up-front payments or ongoing royalty payments.

There are some exceptions to this definition. For example, payments for inventory sold to a franchisee at bona fide wholesale prices are not considered fees. Also, in some jurisdictions, there are exemptions for small payments ' typically $500 or less.

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