Fred Astaire Dance Studios

The ad fund rate of $150/month is 75 times higher than the typical range for fitness franchises—what specific marketing and promotional activities does this fund support, and how is it allocated across franchisees?

Why is the transfer fee of $4,000 significantly lower than typical ($10,000-$17,138.50), and does the franchisor have approval rights over incoming franchisees?

The Termination Causes Count of 35 is notably higher than the typical range of 15-21—can you provide a breakdown of the most common reasons for franchisor-initiated terminations?

What specific conditions must be met to qualify for renewal at 50% of the original franchise fee, and what happens if a franchisee cannot satisfy all 8 renewal conditions?

Can you clarify the scope of the personal guarantee requirement that extends to spouses—does this cover all agreement obligations including non-compete violations?

What happens if a franchisee operates outside their protected territory, and how does the franchisor enforce encroachment protections despite non-exclusive territories?

The franchise has 2 pending/recent litigation cases—can you disclose the nature of these disputes and whether they relate to territory, termination, or renewal disputes?

How many of the 2,221-unit increases over the past 3 years came from new franchisees versus transfers, and what is the retention rate of transferred units?

What is the average time to profitability for new Fred Astaire studios, and does the franchisor provide break-even analysis in Item 19?

If a franchisee is terminated for cause, does the non-compete clause of 2 years / 25 miles still apply, and are there any exceptions or conditions?

The territory is protected but not exclusive—what specific protections does 'protected' mean in practice, and can the franchisor open company-owned or franchise units nearby?

What support and training does the franchisor provide to help franchisees reach the median gross sales figure of $639,457?

Are there ongoing renewal fees, marketing requirements, or other costs beyond the stated royalty and technology fees that franchisees should budget for?

Of the 2 litigation cases against the franchisor, how many involved franchise terminations or renewal disputes, and what were the outcomes?

Does the franchise agreement require franchisees to agree to arbitration or litigation in a specific state, and are there any mandatory dispute resolution clauses?

What is the historical renewal rate for franchisees at the end of their initial 10-year term, and are there any performance thresholds that could result in renewal denial?

Can you provide specific examples of the 8 renewal conditions that franchisees must meet, and how are they verified or enforced by the franchisor?

Why did the system experience 6 closures and 5 terminations in 2021, compared to minimal closures in subsequent years—was there a systemic issue or specific circumstances?