What You Need to Know About the Franchise Agreement
Opening a skating rink franchise with Starlite Family Fun Centers is a great way to start a new career in a fun and exciting industry! Like with any other franchisor, our investors need to sign a franchise agreement before they come on board. This is an important and binding legal document, so it’s important to have a thorough understanding of the agreement before you sign. Here are a few important things you should know about the document before you decide to commit.
Thoroughly Read the Franchise Disclosure Document
The franchise disclosure document (FDD) is a comprehensive document that you’ll review before signing the franchise agreement. In fact, signing the franchise agreement indicates that you’ve read and understand the FDD, so it’s important that you take your time to read it carefully (along with a lawyer if necessary). The FDD outlines many important aspects of starting a skating rink franchise with Starlite Family Fun Centers. What training and resources you’re entitled to, your franchise fee and royalty payments, and information about our brand’s history are just a few of the many topics covered in the FDD. It’s important to read it thoroughly because it will help you to set realistic expectations for the performance of your business and prevent any miscommunication later on.
Your Skating Rink Franchise Fee is Due at Signing
Signing the franchise agreement officially makes you a part of the Starlite brand! We collect the franchise fee at signing because it allows us to get started right away on opening your new business. This one-time fee helps to offset many of the costs associated with your onboarding, including some of your training and the one-on-one time our experts will spend with you at your location. Signing your franchise agreement is a momentous occasion, and your franchise fee will help us hit the ground running.
The Franchise Agreement Defines Your Territory
One of the most exciting benefits of franchising as opposed to starting a business from scratch is that you’ll be awarded a clearly defined territory. With Starlite Family Fun Centers, that means we won’t open another skating rink franchise in your area. It’s impossible to predict how any new business will perform, and we can’t control what our competition does in your area. However, having the freedom to operate your skating rink franchise without worry that another Starlite Family Entertainment center will pop up and tempt your customers helps our franchisees enjoy some extra stability.
Pay Attention to the Advertising Obligations
Another great part about franchising is the marketing assistance you can look forward to. Starlite Family Fun helps our franchisees to market their new business by providing them with great materials designed to attract a crowd. We ask that our franchisees regularly pay roughly 3% of their gross revenue on local marketing and our system marketing fund. All in all, this money will help promote your business and will allow us to continue developing more materials. After more than 35 years in the industry, we’ve learned a thing or two about the importance of advertising to franchisee growth, and the resources and requirements we’ve developed are informed by our considerable experience.
These are just a few important things to keep in mind about the skating rink franchise agreement you’ll sign with Starlite Family Fun Centers. Check out our FAQ page to learn more details about our franchise offering!