FacebookMeta
procedures set forth by us, as modified from time to time. You are not authorized to create any social-media pages or accounts (including, but not limited to, LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, a
From the filings
HQ-led decisions
Sales Star Franchising USA
Professional servicesSoftware purchasing at Sales Star Franchising USA is controlled at the headquarters level, where Founder and CEO Paul O’Donohue and COO Katharina Davey oversee a small but centrally managed network. The franchisor mandates the SalesStar Technology platform and an SMS system, creating a narrow but addressable market of 4 total units. With an average unit volume of $216,663 and a 10% royalty, the system’s tech stack is tightly prescribed, meaning vendor entry depends on HQ-level relationships.
For software vendors selling into US franchise brands.
Live signals
Total units
4
3 franchised
Unit growth YoY
—
vs prior filing
AUV
$217K
Item 19, 2024
Royalty
10%
of gross sales
Ad fund
5%
national + local
Initial fee
$125K
per unit
Investment range
$206K–$242K
all-in, Item 7
Procurement
Approved supplier
from the filing
Item 19
Claims
from the filing
Ongoing fee load
What the operator pays every month
The recurring percentage of gross sales named in this filing, before rent, labour or any technology fee.
15%of gross sales (FY2024)
15% reference
Mandated & recommended tech
The systems vendors compete with
Systems named in Item 11 of this filing. None is recorded as mandated here, which is not the same as the filing mandating nothing. Read Item 11 before treating the category as open.
Google AdsGoogle
not be used to solicit new franchise sales. SalesStar has developed significant expertise in digital marketing including the use of LinkedIn organic and paid advertising, and paid Google Ads to genera
InstagramMeta
licies and procedures set forth by us, as modified from time to time. You are not authorized to create any social-media pages or accounts (including, but not limited to, LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook,
LinkedInLinkedIn
nels, SEO, and Branding Integrity. The NMF will not be used to solicit new franchise sales. SalesStar has developed significant expertise in digital marketing including the use of LinkedIn organic and
SnapchatSnapchat
us, as modified from time to time. You are not authorized to create any social-media pages or accounts (including, but not limited to, LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and Snapchat) for any of
TwitterX
ocation or franchisee. It also includes marketing for Speaking Engagements by the Franchisor or those designated by the Franchisor, Webinars, social posts, social pages (LinkedIn, Twitter, Instagram a
Franchisor behaviours
What the franchisor requires
23 requirements the franchisor states in this filing, each in its own words; 3 explicit no's; 8 questions the text does not settle, which is not a no.
Accounting
Must the franchisee use an accounting or bookkeeping system designated or approved by the franchisor?
YesItem 8
You must establish and maintain bookkeeping, accounting, record-keeping and data- processing systems conforming to the requirements and formats that we prescribe, including, without limitation, a common chart of accounts and methodology, submission process and timeline, and you must use the operational data control…
Does the franchisor have direct or independent electronic access to the franchisee's financial, sales or customer records?
YesFranchise agreement
We will have full and independent access to any and all data generated from this SMS system.
Must the franchisee submit periodic financial statements (monthly, quarterly or annual) to the franchisor?
YesItem 11
We currently require that you have access to high- speed Internet to operate your SMS system, submit reports, including profit and loss statements and gross revenue reports, for your Franchise to us electronically via the Internet.
How the franchisor buys
Does the franchisor reserve the right to change designated suppliers or systems at any time?
YesItem 8
We can change our approved supplier at any time.
How much revenue did the franchisor and its affiliates earn from franchisee purchases in the last fiscal year?
0Item 8
we have not received any such rebates and, therefore, have no revenue from any required purchases.
Does the franchisor or an affiliate receive rebates, commissions or other revenue from designated or approved suppliers?
YesItem 8
We have the right, in addition to any amounts received from suppliers or distributors as described in this Item 8, to receive rebates, marketing fund contributions or other payments from suppliers, distributors and other service providers based (directly or indirectly) on sales to you and our Affiliates (the…
Item 8 gives this proportion in one of two shapes: separate percentages for establishing the business and for operating it, or one figure covering "establishing and operating" together. Where they are separate, answer with the operating percentage; where the passage gives only the combined figure, answer with that. What percentage of the franchisee's purchases must come from designated or approved suppliers?
100Item 8
we require that 100% of your purchases in the establishment of your SalesStar Franchise and while operating the business be made from our Approved Vendors.
Does the franchisor charge a fee to evaluate a proposed supplier?
YesFranchise agreement
vendor shall pay to us in advance all of our reasonably anticipated costs in reviewing the application of the alternate approved vendor.
Can a franchisee propose a new supplier for the franchisor's approval?
YesItem 8
If you desire to procure authorized services, materials or supplies from a vendor other than one previously approved or designated by us, you shall deliver written notice to us of your desire 15 2024 SalesStar Franchise Disclosure Document UC_7033738.2 to seek approval of the vendor.
Data and IT
Must the franchisee comply with PCI, data-security or cybersecurity standards set by the franchisor?
YesFranchise agreement
You must upgrade or replace financial and inventory data processing and communications systems, including the SMS System and back-office computer system, to conform with current security requirements and system upgrades, whenever we require it.
Franchise management
Must the franchisee participate in a customer-satisfaction or net-promoter survey program?
YesFranchise agreement
You must participate in any such quality control programs at our discretion and bear your pro-rata share, as determined by us in our sole discretion, of the costs of any such program.
Does the franchisor conduct periodic inspections, audits or evaluations of the franchised business?
YesFranchise agreement
To determine whether you are complying with this Agreement and with all System Standards and whether your Business is in compliance with the terms of this Agreement, we and our designated agents have the right to, at any reasonable time and without prior notice to you: (i) Inspect the Premises and your Business; (ii)…
Can the franchisor change the operations manual and brand standards unilaterally?
YesFranchise agreement
We have the right to modify the Operations Manual in the future to reflect changes in the image, specifications, standards, procedures, and System Standards.
Marketing
Is the franchisee prohibited from operating its own website or social media accounts, or required to use pages the franchisor provides?
YesItem 11
You are not authorized to create any social-media pages or accounts (including, but not limited to, LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and Snapchat) for any of your SalesStar locations without our prior written consent.
Is a minimum grand opening advertising spend required?
YesFranchise agreement
establish, but no less than $2500 per month.
Is the franchisee required to spend a minimum amount on local advertising or marketing, as a percentage of sales or a fixed amount?
YesItem 11
We require at least the minimum amounts specified in Item 6 per annum above for local advertising and promotion of each of your SalesStar Franchises.
Operations
Must the franchisee buy products from a designated distributor?
YesItem 8
You must purchase or lease those computer items and, marketing collateral and other promotional products bearing the Marks, as may be specified in the SalesStar Operations Manual and only from us or from our Approved Vendors or distributors before and after you open your Franchise.
Must equipment be purchased from designated or approved suppliers?
YesItem 7
Certain computer equipment, software and Cloud based Services, tools and materials or products must be purchased from our Designated Vendors.
Payments
Are royalties and other fees collected by automatic bank debit (ACH or electronic funds transfer) from the franchisee's account?
YesItem 6
You must pay all Royalty Fees, advertising fees, information system fees and other amounts owed to us or our Affiliates by pre-authorized electronic bank transfer from your general account.
Point of sale
Must the franchisee use a specific point-of-sale system designated or approved by the franchisor?
YesItem 8
You must use a standard system-management software (“SMS”) and all SMS modules approved by us and used by us and other franchisees to ensure System Standards.
Does the franchisor have independent access to the data in the franchisee's POS or computer system?
YesItem 11
We also have the right to independently access the information and data you collect and gather using any required computer hardware and software.
Training
Can the franchisor charge the franchisee for additional, refresher or remedial training?
YesFranchise agreement
We have the right to charge fees for refresher training courses.
Is attendance at an annual convention or conference mandatory for the franchisee?
YesFranchise agreement
You and your Operating Partner(s) must attend any annual global conferences that we may have.
The filing answers no to 3 questions
- Is the franchisor or an affiliate itself a supplier of required products, services or systems?Item 8
- Must the franchisor approve the franchisee's site or location before opening?Item 11
- Must the franchisee participate in a customer loyalty or rewards program?Item 6
The vendor opportunity at Sales Star Franchising USA
Sales Star Franchising USA operates a compact network of 4 total units — 3 franchised and 1 company-owned — spread across Ohio, North Carolina, and Wisconsin. For software vendors, the addressable market is small but centrally controlled, with all purchasing decisions flowing through the headquarters team. The average unit volume sits at $216,663, and franchisees pay a 10% royalty. While the system’s unit count limits scale, the mandated technology stack means any vendor that secures a HQ relationship can achieve full penetration across the network.
Who controls software purchasing
Software purchasing authority rests with the executive team at the franchisor’s North Carolina headquarters. Founder and CEO Paul O’Donohue and Chief Operating Officer Katharina Davey are the primary decision-makers. VP Global Partnerships Lisa Carter may also play a role in evaluating vendor relationships, particularly those with cross-border or partnership implications. Vice President of Operations Cassandra Marez and Franchise Business Partner Grant Holland round out the leadership group, though their direct involvement in software procurement is not specified in the FDD. No dedicated technology leadership role — such as a CIO or CTO — is listed, which is consistent with a system of this size.
Mandated and current tech stack
The 2024 Franchise Disclosure Document explicitly mandates two technology components: the SalesStar Technology platform and an SMS system. No other operational, POS, CRM, or financial software vendors are named in the disclosure. This suggests a lean tech environment where the SalesStar platform likely serves as the operational backbone, potentially covering sales training, performance coaching, or franchise management functions aligned with the brand’s professional services focus. Vendors offering complementary or replacement solutions should be prepared to demonstrate integration capabilities with this mandated core.
Procurement, renewals, and timing
Item 8 of the FDD does not include procurement signals, leaving the formal supplier designation process unclear. However, the explicit mandate of SalesStar Technology and an SMS system indicates a designated-supplier model for critical systems. Franchise agreements run for an initial term of 5 years. Renewal is not automatic: franchisees must provide at least 180 days’ notice, sign a then-current Franchise Agreement that may contain materially different terms, and meet compliance and monetary obligations. With only 3 franchised units and no multi-unit operators, contract renewal windows are infrequent and tightly clustered around the initial signing cohort. Software vendors should monitor renewal cycles and target HQ-level relationship building well in advance of these windows.
How to read the Sales Star Franchising USA FDD
The 2024 Sales Star Franchising USA FDD is embedded below for full review. Key sections for software vendors include Item 1 (executive team), Item 11 (franchisor’s obligations and mandated systems), Item 8 (procurement restrictions, though limited here), and Item 17 (renewal and termination conditions). The document confirms a small, founder-led system with centralized purchasing and a prescribed technology environment. For vendors seeking a ranked target list of franchise systems aligned to their software category, FranCloud provides data-driven filtering across unit counts, tech mandates, and decision-maker profiles.
Questions vendors ask
Sales Star Franchising USA, answered from the filing
Founder and CEO Paul O’Donohue and COO Katharina Davey are the key executives. VP Global Partnerships Lisa Carter may influence vendor relationships. No dedicated CIO or CTO is listed.
The FDD mandates SalesStar Technology as the core platform and an SMS system. No other operational or POS vendors are named in the disclosure.
There are 4 total units: 3 franchised and 1 company-owned. All operators are single-unit, located in Ohio, North Carolina, and Wisconsin.
Item 8 procurement signals are not disclosed in the 2024 FDD. The franchisor’s mandate of specific technology suggests a designated-supplier approach for core systems.
Initial franchise terms are 5 years. Renewals require 180 days’ notice and may include materially different terms. With only 3 franchised units, contract windows are infrequent and HQ-driven.
The 2024 FDD is filed with state franchise regulators. You can view the embedded PDF viewer below for the full disclosure document.
Source
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Operator footprint
Who runs the locations
3 operators run 3 mapped locations. 0 of them are multi-unit. Aggregate counts from the filing; no names.
Operators by units owned
Single-unit3
Top states by locations
| OH | 1 |
|---|---|
| NC | 1 |
| WI | 1 |
Ownership
The portfolio behind Sales Star Franchising USA
unknown of sales star.
Related Professional services brands
Primary franchise filings · updated June 2026. Every figure is source-traceable and QA-checked.