Pearle Vision EyeCare Centers

The Ad Fund Rate of 8.0% is significantly higher than the typical 1.0-2.5% for health & beauty franchises. How is this advertising fund allocated across channels, and can you provide documentation of spending for the past 3 years?

With 10 pending litigation cases and 18 total cases on record, what is the nature and status of these disputes, and how many involve franchisee disputes versus other parties such as suppliers or employees?

The franchise fee of $30,000 is substantially lower than typical ($39,500-$54,625). Are there additional mandatory purchases, training costs, or technology setup fees not reflected in the franchise fee that prospective franchisees should budget for?

Unit count has declined from 514 to 500 over 3 years. What percentage of the 24 unit transfers in 2024 were due to franchisee buyouts by the franchisor, and are there plans to stabilize or grow unit count?

Median gross sales of $1,213,000 exceed the typical range significantly. What is the basis for this Item 19 data—how many units reported, what geographic markets, and how recently was this data collected?

The non-compete clause restricts competition to only 1 year and 3 miles post-exit. Given that the initial term is 10 years, why is the post-franchise non-compete period so brief, and what protections exist against franchisees opening competing practices immediately after departure?

You offer encroachment protection but territory is not exclusive. Can you provide specific examples of how encroachment disputes have been handled and whether additional Pearle Vision locations have been opened within existing franchisee territories?

Initial term is 10 years with 10-year total potential term and no specified renewal options. How can franchisees renew their agreement beyond the initial 10 years, and what fee applies for renewal?

Termination rate is low at 0.5%, but non-renewal rate is 1.2%. Are non-renewals primarily initiated by the franchisor or franchisees, and what percentage of franchises have been allowed to lapse without renewal in the past 3 years?

Bottom Quartile units report $639,000 in annual sales. What support or financial remedies does Pearle Vision provide to underperforming locations, and at what sales threshold does the franchisor typically require corrective action or consider termination?

With 12 litigation cases in the past 3 years and 16 total cases where the franchisor was defendant, what categories of claims are most common (e.g., breach of contract, franchise law violations, non-payment of royalties)?

The Personal Guarantee clause requires joint and several liability for all franchise obligations. Can this personal guarantee be limited to a specific dollar amount, and what percentage of franchisees have had to pay claims beyond business assets?

Investment Costs score of 56/100 is below typical range. What is the total initial investment range including real estate, equipment, inventory, working capital, and all fees required to open a unit?

Risk Factors score of 32/100 is substantially below the typical range of 64.0-80.0. What specific risk factors are driving this low score, and how does Pearle Vision's risk profile compare to other franchises in the eyecare industry?

You report an 8% advertising fund but also mention a $400 monthly technology fee. What specific technology systems and services are included in this fee, and is this technology mandatory or can franchisees opt out?

Transfer fee is $7,500 with 24 unit transfers in 2024. Are transfers typically approved without restriction, or does the franchisor have right of first refusal or approval rights that could delay or block transfers?

Pending litigation currently stands at 10 cases. Can you disclose the anticipated resolution timeline and any settlements or judgments reached in the past 12 months?

Support & Training score of 100/100 exceeds typical range. What specific training programs and ongoing support are provided, and are there documented performance metrics showing franchisee satisfaction with support quality?