Speed Queen

The royalty rate of 4.0% is substantially lower than the typical 6.0-10.0% range for this franchise type. What factors enable Speed Queen to operate profitably at this lower rate, and is there any indication this rate may increase?

Transfer fees are $5,000, below the typical $5,250-$19,500 range. What is included in this transfer fee, and are there additional costs franchisees should expect when transferring their unit?

The non-compete clause restricts franchisees to 2 years / 5 miles, significantly narrower than the typical 10-50 mile range. How does Speed Queen enforce this restriction, and what specific activities are prohibited during the non-compete period?

The total potential contract term extends to 30 years (initial 10 years + 2 × 10 year renewals), above the typical 10-20 year range. What conditions must be met to qualify for each renewal option, and can the franchisor unilaterally decline renewal?

The franchise agreement requires personal guarantees from any owner with 10%+ beneficial interest and spouse signatures. How does this personal liability extend beyond the franchise entity, and what are the specific enforcement mechanisms?

Four units exited in 2023 (2 closures and 2 terminations). Can you provide details on the reasons for these exits, and whether any were related to operational, financial, or contractual issues?

The financial performance data shows a median gross sales of $544,226 with bottom quartile sales of $525,284. What is the typical net profit margin after royalties and operating expenses, and how many units are currently performing below these quartile figures?

The agreement specifies 8 renewal conditions that may be required by the franchisor. Can you provide the complete list of these conditions, and what percentage of units typically meet all renewal requirements on their first renewal attempt?

Equipment and materials must be purchased from franchisor-approved vendors. Are there approved vendor lists provided, how many approved vendors are available for key equipment categories, and what cost premiums (if any) exist compared to non-approved alternatives?

The support and training score is 98/100, significantly above the typical 74-91 range. What specific ongoing support and training services are included beyond the initial franchise training, and are there additional fees for advanced training?

With 29 total units in the system, what is the geographic distribution of locations, and does the franchisor actively manage territory assignments to prevent encroachment despite territory being non-exclusive?

The franchise agreement includes a termination clause with cure periods of 14-30 days depending on the type of default. Can you specify which defaults fall into each category, and are there any defaults that are non-curable with no opportunity to remedy?

The renewal fee is $10,000. Beyond this fee, what other costs are associated with renewal (such as equipment upgrades, facility renovations, or system technology updates)?

The 2-year non-compete period is relatively short. Once this period expires, can former franchisees operate competing laundry businesses, and are there any other post-termination restrictions or non-solicitation agreements?

Item 19 financial performance data is provided. Does this data represent audited figures, and what percentage of the current 29 units reported their financial results for this disclosure document?

The franchisor reserves the right to establish operational standards. How frequently are these standards updated, and what mechanisms exist for franchisee input on operational requirement changes?

Given the minimal litigation history (zero cases in 3 years), what types of disputes, if any, have been resolved through informal channels or mediation rather than formal litigation?