CtuitCtuit
Mandatoryrd transactions will be between 1% and 4% of your gross sales. Gift card transactions currently will cost you $0.10 per gift card transaction. Currently, you must also license the Ctuit Restaurant Man
From the filings
HQ-led decisions
The Counter
Quick service restaurantSoftware purchasing at The Counter runs through MTY Food Group's corporate team: Item 11 obliges every location to run Ctuit and Oracle MICROS, and Item 8 requires Olo for ordering and Sysco for supply. The system holds 8 units, 6 franchised and 2 company-owned, with an average unit volume of $2,311,053.
For software vendors selling into US franchise brands.
Live signals
Total units
8
6 franchised
Unit growth YoY
-25%
vs prior filing
AUV
$2.31M
Item 19, 2025
Royalty
6%
of gross sales
Ad fund
3%
national + local
Initial fee
$35K
per unit
Investment range
$713K–$1.99M
all-in, Item 7
Procurement
Franchisor controlled
from the filing
Non-compete
2 years
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.
9%of gross sales (FY2026)
15% reference
Mandated & recommended tech
The systems vendors compete with
4 of these are mandated in the franchise agreement. Each is named in Item 11 of the filing, the incumbents a challenger must displace or integrate with.
OloOlo
Mandatorypplication (“App”) and online food ordering service (including any third-party delivery order integration) and may not use any other store-specific App or online ordering service. Olo is a Franchisor
Oracle MICROSOracle
Mandatoryenterprise system for as long as we designate MICROS as our POS service provider, after the first year, you may decide whether to purchase a maintenance and service contract from MICROS for their cont
SyscoSysco
Mandatoryts that you need to operate your business, subject to supply shortages beyond their control. At your option, you may also purchase nearly all of your Non-Proprietary Products from Sysco, which is the
FacebookMeta
e designate, we forbid you to have your own web site, software application, an App (application), social media account (including, but not limited to, an account, group or page on Facebook®, Flickr®,
InstagramMeta
web site, software application, an App (application), social media account (including, but not limited to, an account, group or page on Facebook®, Flickr®, Foursquare®, Google+®, Instagram®, LinkedIn®
LinkedInLinkedIn
oftware application, an App (application), social media account (including, but not limited to, an account, group or page on Facebook®, Flickr®, Foursquare®, Google+®, Instagram®, LinkedIn®, Pinterest
PinterestPinterest
lication, an App (application), social media account (including, but not limited to, an account, group or page on Facebook®, Flickr®, Foursquare®, Google+®, Instagram®, LinkedIn®, Pinterest®, Snapchat
QuickBooksIntuit
perform financial accounting functions. Therefore, you must also have a separate back office computer capable of running Microsoft Office Suite and basic accounting software, like QuickBooks. We do no
SnapchatSnapchat
App (application), social media account (including, but not limited to, an account, group or page on Facebook®, Flickr®, Foursquare®, Google+®, Instagram®, LinkedIn®, Pinterest®, Snapchat®, Tumblr®, X
TwitterX
cial media account (including, but not limited to, an account, group or page on Facebook®, Flickr®, Foursquare®, Google+®, Instagram®, LinkedIn®, Pinterest®, Snapchat®, Tumblr®, X/Twitter®, YouTube®,
YouTubeGoogle
account (including, but not limited to, an account, group or page on Facebook®, Flickr®, Foursquare®, Google+®, Instagram®, LinkedIn®, Pinterest®, Snapchat®, Tumblr®, X/Twitter®, YouTube®, Vine®, VKon
Franchisor behaviours
What the franchisor requires
28 requirements the franchisor states in this filing, each in its own words; 3 explicit no's; 3 questions the text does not settle, which is not a no.
Accounting
Does the franchisor have direct or independent electronic access to the franchisee's financial, sales or customer records?
YesItem 11
The POS System must be configured so that we have independent and remote access to the information and data stored in it.
Must the franchisee submit periodic financial statements (monthly, quarterly or annual) to the franchisor?
YesFranchise agreement
You agree: a. to submit to us electronically the weekly Gross Sales as set forth in Section 5.6; b. to submit to us, on or before the thirtieth (30th) day of each month, commencing with the opening of the Franchised Business, in a format and method approved by us (including [store #] [doc #] 40 of 72 through a…
How the franchisor buys
Does the franchisor reserve the right to change designated suppliers or systems at any time?
YesItem 8
We may modify our specifications, recommended suppliers and purchasing procedures in our discretion, and you must promptly conform to all changes at your sole expense.
Does the franchisor or an affiliate receive rebates, commissions or other revenue from designated or approved suppliers?
YesFranchise agreement
You acknowledge Franchisor and/or its affiliates has the right to receive commissions, volume discounts, purchase discounts, performance payments, bonuses, rebates, marketing and advertising allowances, co-op advertising, administrative fees, enhancements, price discounts, economic benefits and/or other payments…
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?
90Item 8
You can expect that the items you will purchase in accordance with our specifications will represent over 90% of the total purchases you will make to begin operations and over 90% of your annual operating expense for raw materials, products and supplies.
Does the franchisor charge a fee to evaluate a proposed supplier?
YesItem 8
We may inspect a proposed supplier’s facilities and test its products and charge a testing fee based on our actual cost, with a minimum charge of $250, to cover our direct costs.
Can a franchisee propose a new supplier for the franchisor's approval?
YesItem 8
If you want to use or sell a particular Non-Proprietary Product that we do not specify as part of The Counter System, or buy Non-Proprietary Products from an alternative supplier not pre- approved by us or on our recommended list, you must request our approval in writing before using or buying the Non-Proprietary…
Communications
Does the franchisor own or control the business telephone numbers, or take them over when the agreement ends?
YesFranchise agreement
You acknowledge that between you and us, we have the sole right and interest in all telephone numbers and directory listings associated with any Proprietary Marks, and you authorize us and appoint us and any officer or agent of ours, as your attorney-in-fact, to direct the telephone company and all listings agencies…
Data and IT
Must the franchisee comply with PCI, data-security or cybersecurity standards set by the franchisor?
YesFranchise agreement
as a franchisee who accepts credit cards, you are required to be PCI compliant by following and adhering to PCI DSS
Franchise management
Does the franchisor conduct periodic inspections, audits or evaluations of the franchised business?
YesItem 11
We or our designee will periodically visit your The Counter restaurant to inspect your operations, observe and interview your employees and review your books and records (including data stored on your computers) to verify your compliance with the Franchise Agreement and the Confidential Manual.
Can the franchisor change the operations manual and brand standards unilaterally?
YesItem 11
We may modify the Operations Manual by written or electronic supplements and will notify you immediately of the updates furnishing them either in hard or electronic format.
Must the franchisor approve the franchisee's site or location before opening?
YesItem 11
You must select, and we must approve, an acceptable location that you open within one year after the effective date of the Franchise Agreement.
Marketing
Is the franchisee prohibited from operating its own website or social media accounts, or required to use pages the franchisor provides?
YesItem 11
we forbid you to have your own web site, software application, an App (application), social media account (including, but not limited to, an account, group or page on Facebook®, Flickr®, Foursquare®, Google+®, Instagram®, LinkedIn®, Pinterest®, Snapchat®, Tumblr®, X/Twitter®, YouTube®, Vine®, VKontakte or Weibo®) to…
Is a minimum grand opening advertising spend required?
YesItem 7
You are required to pay a Grand Opening Marketing fee of $10,000 for a Traditional store or $5,000 for a Non-Traditional store payable to Us on the earlier of (i) prior to you executing a lease for the premises where the Franchised Business will be located; or (ii) prior to construction commencing at the premises…
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
You are required to spend 1% of your Gross Sales each month on approved local advertising once your The Counter restaurant opens.
Must the franchisee participate in a customer loyalty or rewards program?
YesItem 8
You must participate in our mandatory loyalty program currently called “The Counter - Points” at your cost and observe rules to be set forth in the Confidential Manual.
Must the franchisee participate in a regional advertising cooperative when one exists?
YesFranchise agreement
You must pay to us, or directly into a national advertising fund or also any regional advertising funds, as designated by us at our sole discretion, (individually and collectively, “Advertising Fund”) a weekly advertising fee of one percent (1%) of the Gross Sales for the preceding week (“Advertising Fee”).
Operations
Must the franchisee buy products from a designated distributor?
YesItem 8
You must purchase all Proprietary Products directly from our designated distributor.
Must equipment be purchased from designated or approved suppliers?
YesItem 8
Once you sign the lease for your The Counter restaurant, you must retain several professional service firms and suppliers designated, or approved by us, including an architect to prepare your construction drawings, a kitchen supplier to provide kitchen design services and kitchen equipment, and a millwork company to…
Payments
Must the franchisee use a payment processor or merchant-services provider designated or approved by the franchisor?
YesFranchise agreement
Additionally, you must utilize our approved third-party payment card processor, as identified in the System Standards, for processing all Card Processing System transactions.
Are royalties and other fees collected by automatic bank debit (ACH or electronic funds transfer) from the franchisee's account?
YesFranchise agreement
Payment of the Royalty Fee, Advertising Fee (as defined in Section 5.3), and all other fees due under this Agreement to us shall be made via electronic transfer of funds from the Depository Account.
Must the franchisee participate in a gift card program?
YesItem 8
You must participate in our mandatory gift card program at your cost and observe rules to be set forth in the Confidential Manual.
People
Does the franchisor require minimum staffing levels or specific roles?
YesItem 11
At all times that your restaurant is open to the public for business, your The Counter restaurant must be under the direct, full-time supervision of at least one Certified Managers who devotes full-time and attention to supervising the day-to-day operations of your The Counter restaurant.
Must employees wear uniforms specified by the franchisor?
YesItem 15
All personnel must wear a uniform or other clothing approved by us.
Point of sale
Must the franchisee use a specific point-of-sale system designated or approved by the franchisor?
YesItem 11
You must lease or purchase a custom POS computer system package from MICROS meeting our hardware and software specifications.
Does the franchisor have independent access to the data in the franchisee's POS or computer system?
YesItem 11
The POS System must be configured so that we have independent and remote access to the information and data stored in it.
Training
Can the franchisor charge the franchisee for additional, refresher or remedial training?
YesItem 11
We may charge a per person training fee for any additional training that we offer at a location that we designate or a per instructor training fee for any additional or continuing training that we provide at your The Counter restaurant at your request.
Is attendance at an annual convention or conference mandatory for the franchisee?
YesFranchise agreement
Attendance at these additional training programs and conferences is mandatory.
The filing answers no to 3 questions
- Must the franchisee use an accounting or bookkeeping system designated or approved by the franchisor?Item 11
- Is the franchisor or an affiliate itself a supplier of required products, services or systems?Item 8
- Is there a franchisee advisory council, association or committee?Item 6
Who buys here
The buyer at this brand
The decision-maker a vendor sells to at this scale, and the gaps they’re paid to close, derived from our data by segment and unit count, not a guess.
The franchisee/operator personally, or a small franchisor still owner-run. Wears every hat.
OwnerCEOPresidentPrincipal
- 41.9% of quick service brands mandate no POS system, leaving a massive blind spot in your target list.By instantly identifying the 452 brands with no POS mandate, you replace weeks of manual FDD research and focus your pipeline on high-fit displacement targets, cutting customer acquisition cost by over 60%.
- Only 17 out of 1,079 quick service brands mandate a CRM, yet unit counts and AUVs prove these are high-value accounts.Instead of spending 40+ hours manually combing FDDs to find CRM-needy brands, FranCloud delivers the 17 mandate-holders and their financials in one query, letting your team close deals 10x faster.
- 97.5% of brands mandate no inventory system, but the 27 that do represent immediate displacement opportunities.By replacing weeks of manual FDD research with one FranCloud query, your operations team can build a target list of 27 inventory-mandate brands in minutes, accelerating time-to-pipeline by 90%.
The vendor opportunity at The Counter The Counter runs 8 units, 6 franchised and 2 company-owned, in the quick-service restaurant segment, with an average unit volume of $2,311,053 and unit count down 25% year over year in the 2026 FDD. The brand is part of MTY Food Group, alongside MTY Franchising USA, Mucho Burrito, Planet Smoothie, Cold Stone Creamery, Pinkberry, and Champps Kitchen + Bar. Of the mapped operators, one runs multiple locations across the system's California concentration.
Who controls software purchasing Item 2 names Eric Lefebvre as Chief Executive Officer, Renee St-Onge as Chief Financial Officer, Al Hank as Chief Operating Officer, Jeff Smit as Chief Operating Officer of Kahala Brands, and Jenny Moody as Chief Legal Officer — the corporate team setting technology mandates.
Tech named in the FDD, and what is actually required Item 11 makes Ctuit and Oracle MICROS mandatory for point-of-sale. Item 8 requires Olo for ordering and Sysco for supply. Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and Pinterest are named in Item 11 without any purchase requirement attached.
Procurement, renewals, and timing Item 8 sets a designated-suppliers-only model: proprietary products must come from designated suppliers, and non-proprietary products from approved or recommended suppliers, with a written-approval path to request alternatives for non-proprietary items. Site Review Report preparation must come from the franchisor or an affiliate. The initial term is 10 years, with a single 5-year renewal term requiring 210 days' notice and a clean compliance record, followed by a discretionary successor term at the franchisor's option. The FDD makes a financial performance representation, and the 25% year-over-year unit decline points to consolidation ahead of new tech buys.
How to read The Counter FDD The full 2026 disclosure document is embedded below via the PDF viewer, filed with state franchise regulators. For a ranked list of franchise systems that fit your product better than this one, talk to FranCloud.
Questions vendors ask
The Counter, answered from the filing
CEO Eric Lefebvre and CFO Renee St-Onge lead the officer team named in Item 2, with COO Al Hank and Kahala Brands COO Jeff Smit overseeing operations where the Ctuit, Olo, Oracle MICROS, and Sysco mandates apply.
Item 11 requires Ctuit and Oracle MICROS for point-of-sale. Item 8 requires Olo for ordering and Sysco for supply. Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and Pinterest are named in Item 11 without a purchase requirement.
8 total units, 6 franchised and 2 company-owned, in the quick-service segment, with an average unit volume of $2,311,053, per the 2026 FDD. Unit count fell 25% year over year.
Item 8 sets a designated-suppliers-only model: proprietary products must come from designated suppliers, and non-proprietary products from approved or recommended suppliers, with a written-approval path for alternatives.
The initial term runs 10 years, with a single 5-year renewal term requiring 210 days' notice, plus a discretionary successor term after that. A 25% unit decline points to consolidation ahead of new tech buys.
The embedded PDF viewer below carries the full document, filed with state franchise regulators in 2026.
Source
Read the filing itself
Every number on this page traces back to this document. Read it in full, page by page. Buy the original PDF to download, search, and annotate it.
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FDD alert
Tell me when this brand refiles.
We’ll email you the moment The Counter files a new annual FDD, usually the freshest signal of a vendor change.
Operator footprint
Who runs the locations
2 operators run 3 mapped locations. 1 of them are multi-unit. Aggregate counts from the filing; no names.
Operators by units owned
Single-unit1
2–9 units1
Top states by locations
| CA | 3 |
|---|
Ownership
The portfolio behind The Counter
strategic_multibrand of MTY Food Group.
Sibling brands
Related Quick service restaurant brands
Primary franchise filings · updated September 2026. Every figure is source-traceable and QA-checked.