Minuteman Press Franchise

Financing Details

Minuteman Press International Inc. does not directly offer financing for the initial investment, equipment, or ongoing operations, nor does it guarantee obligations to third parties. However, Minuteman Press International Inc. facilitates equipment leasing through its affiliate, ML Leasing, and also through Xerox Corporation. If a franchisee leases through Xerox, the monthly payments are approximately $941, requiring a personal guarantee and security interest in the equipment. Through ML Leasing, qualified franchisees may lease a reconditioned equipment package for four or five years, with monthly payments ranging from $1,200 to $2,000 at a 10% APR. ML Leasing also requires a personal guarantee and retains a security interest in the equipment.

Litigation Summary

Minuteman Press International has five legal actions disclosed. One case is still pending, filed in Alberta, Canada in 2012 by franchisees alleging contract breaches and misrepresentation. Minuteman Press has counter-arbitration proceedings seeking unpaid royalty fees and upholding a termination, which resulted in a summary judgment in their favor in 2017 and a court order in 2018. Two other cases were concluded. In 2019, a former franchisee in Kansas filed an amended petition against Minuteman Press for breach of contract and misrepresentation; this case was settled for $20,000 in 2022. Another arbitration case in New York from 2017 by franchisees alleging misrepresentation was settled in 2018, with Minuteman Press purchasing certain assets and arranging equipment lease assignments. Additionally, Minuteman Press was involved in two injunctions/restrictive orders from the 1990s. In 1994, Minuteman Press entered a Consent Order with the Washington State Department of Financial Institutions regarding compliance with the Franchise Investment Protection Act. In 1998, the Federal Trade Commission issued an injunction prohibiting Minuteman Press from making certain financial performance representations without a reasonable basis and violating the Franchise Rule.

Renewal Conditions

To renew their agreement, Minuteman Press International Inc. franchisees must provide written notice, not be in default of their existing agreement, sign the then-current franchise agreement, and execute general releases. Franchisees should be aware that the new agreement they sign at renewal may contain terms and conditions that are materially different from their original agreement.

Staffing Notes

Minuteman Press requires that its centers always be supervised by a manager who has completed the franchisor's training program. The franchisee, or a principal/general partner if the franchisee is an entity, must dedicate full-time effort to managing and operating the center, unless otherwise approved. Minuteman Press also requires franchisees to maintain a competent, conscientious, neat, and trained staff. The franchisor does not approve or disapprove the choice of manager and does not require the manager to have an equity interest in the business. Managers, if the owner is not the operator, must attend the training program and sign a confidentiality agreement with non-compete restrictions valid for two years after their employment ends. Franchisees can send any employees for additional training, but they are responsible for their transportation and lodging costs if the training occurs at the New York home office.