QuickBooks OnlineIntuit
Mandatoryemail correspondence with customers, us and others. Computer Software You must maintain on your computer the most current versions of Microsoft Office, Claris (FileMaker Pro), and QuickBooks Online. Y
From the filings
+100% units YoYHQ-led decisions
YEL!
Youth servicesSoftware purchasing at YEL! is controlled by its HQ leadership, specifically President Chet Gunhus and CFO Lisa Gunhus. The franchise currently mandates QuickBooks Online by Intuit Inc., an electronic file management system, an operating platform, and a youth database. With only 5 total units (2 franchised, 3 company-owned), the addressable market for vendors is extremely small.
For software vendors selling into US franchise brands.
Live signals
Total units
5
2 franchised
Unit growth YoY
+100%
vs prior filing
AUV
—
Item 19, 2025
Royalty
6%
of gross sales
Ad fund
1%
national + local
Initial fee
$23K
per unit
Investment range
$45K–$72K
all-in, Item 7
Procurement
Approved supplier
from the filing
Non-compete
2 years
from the filing
Item 19
No 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.
7%of gross sales (FY2025)
15% reference
Mandated & recommended tech
The systems vendors compete with
1 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.
FacebookMeta
ou posting or blogging comments about the YEL Business or the System on social media. “Social media” includes personal blogs, personal email addresses, common social networks like Facebook, Instagram,
Google Business ProfileGoogle
networks like Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, X (formerly Twitter), Snapchat and Pinterest; professional networks, business profiles or online review or opinion sites like LinkedIn, Google Business Profi
InstagramMeta
or blogging comments about the YEL Business or the System on social media. “Social media” includes personal blogs, personal email addresses, common social networks like Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, X
LinkedInLinkedIn
mon social networks like Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, X (formerly Twitter), Snapchat and Pinterest; professional networks, business profiles or online review or opinion sites like LinkedIn, Google Bus
PinterestPinterest
stem on social media. “Social media” includes personal blogs, personal email addresses, common social networks like Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, X (formerly Twitter), Snapchat and Pinterest; professio
SnapchatSnapchat
ess or the System on social media. “Social media” includes personal blogs, personal email addresses, common social networks like Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, X (formerly Twitter), Snapchat and Pintere
TikTokTikTok
g comments about the YEL Business or the System on social media. “Social media” includes personal blogs, personal email addresses, common social networks like Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, X (formerly
TwitterX
YEL Business or the System on social media. “Social media” includes personal blogs, personal email addresses, common social networks like Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, X (formerly Twitter), Snapchat an
YelpYelp
stagram, TikTok, X (formerly Twitter), Snapchat and Pinterest; professional networks, business profiles or online review or opinion sites like LinkedIn, Google Business Profile or Yelp; live-blogging
Franchisor behaviours
What the franchisor requires
20 requirements the franchisor states in this filing, each in its own words; 3 explicit no's; 11 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 11
You must maintain on your computer the most current versions of Microsoft Office, Claris (FileMaker Pro), and QuickBooks Online.
Does the franchisor have direct or independent electronic access to the franchisee's financial, sales or customer records?
YesItem 11
We have full unrestricted independent access to all of your computer systems, including any electronic platforms, and any other systems specified by us, and all information contained in these systems and platforms
How the franchisor buys
Is the franchisor or an affiliate itself a supplier of required products, services or systems?
YesItem 8
We are the only approved supplier for your instructional aids, including curricula, initial supplies for your classes, any items that contain any of our Marks, including apparel for your staff and the “Youth Database”, which is our proprietary electronic operating platform we will provide you access to and which you…
How much revenue did the franchisor and its affiliates earn from franchisee purchases in the last fiscal year?
1079Item 8
In our fiscal year ended December 31, 2024, our affiliate received $1,079 from the required purchase or lease of products or services by franchisees.
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?
10Item 8
Once you begin operating, we expect the items you purchase that meet our specifications will represent between 10% and 25% of your total annual expenses.
Does the franchisor charge a fee to evaluate a proposed supplier?
YesItem 8
We can charge you a fee to evaluate a proposed supplier or item.
Can a franchisee propose a new supplier for the franchisor's approval?
YesItem 8
If you want to purchase items for your YEL Business that differ from our specifications, or from an unapproved supplier, you must notify us in writing.
Communications
Does the franchisor own or control the business telephone numbers, or take them over when the agreement ends?
YesItem 17
assign to us or cancel certain registrations, listings, telephone numbers, websites and domain names
Franchise management
Can the franchisor change the operations manual and brand standards unilaterally?
YesItem 11
We may modify any manual periodically in our discretion.
Must the franchisor approve the franchisee's site or location before opening?
YesItem 11
You must operate your YEL Business from one location we approve in your Designated Territory.
Marketing
Is a minimum grand opening advertising spend required?
YesItem 11
You must spend at least $2,500 to market the grand opening of your YEL Business on marketing we approve.
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 must also spend at least 2% of your annual Gross Revenue on local marketing we have approved in your market.
Operations
Must the franchisee buy products from a designated distributor?
YesItem 8
We are the only approved supplier for your instructional aids, including curricula, initial supplies for your classes, any items that contain any of our Marks, including apparel for your staff and the “Youth Database”, which is our proprietary electronic operating platform we will provide you access to and which you…
Must equipment be purchased from designated or approved suppliers?
YesItem 8
We are the only approved supplier for your instructional aids, including curricula, initial supplies for your classes, any items that contain any of our Marks, including apparel for your staff and the “Youth Database”, which is our proprietary electronic operating platform we will provide you access to and which you…
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 fees and other amounts due to us via electronic funds transfer or other similar means.
People
Does the franchisor require minimum staffing levels or specific roles?
YesItem 15
However, if you hire a Manager to manage your Designated Territory, you must have at least one Manager for each Designated Territory.
Point of sale
Must the franchisee use a specific point-of-sale system designated or approved by the franchisor?
YesItem 8
We only have one supplier for the electronic commerce platform you must use to process student registrations and payments, including via credit card.
Does the franchisor have independent access to the data in the franchisee's POS or computer system?
YesItem 11
We have full unrestricted independent access to all of your computer systems, including any electronic platforms, and any other systems specified by us, and all information contained in these systems and platforms
Training
Can the franchisor charge the franchisee for additional, refresher or remedial training?
YesItem 6
Cost of Training Currently, $62.50 per hour Before training If you do not meet our standards and per trainee. we require additional training, you must pay our costs for the training.
Is attendance at an annual convention or conference mandatory for the franchisee?
YesItem 6
You or your majority owner if you are an entity must attend any conference we decide to have for franchisees.
The filing answers no to 3 questions
- Does the franchisor or an affiliate receive rebates, commissions or other revenue from designated or approved suppliers?Item 8
- Is the franchisee prohibited from operating its own website or social media accounts, or required to use pages the franchisor provides?Item 11
- Must the franchisee participate in a regional advertising cooperative when one exists?Item 11
The vendor opportunity at YEL!
YEL! is a youth services franchise headquartered in Minnesota with a total footprint of 5 units, split between 2 franchised and 3 company-owned locations. For software vendors, the immediate addressable market is tiny. However, the brand posted 100% year-over-year unit growth, which suggests an early-stage system that may be building its tech stack from the ground up. Average unit volume (AUV) is not disclosed in the most recent FDD. The royalty rate is 6.0% on gross revenue, and the initial franchise term runs 10 years.
Who controls software purchasing
Purchasing authority sits squarely with HQ. The FDD lists Chet Gunhus as President and Director, and Lisa Gunhus as Chief Financial Officer and Director. In a system this small, these two individuals likely make or approve every technology decision. Vendors should prepare to engage directly with the C-suite rather than a dedicated IT or procurement department. No multi-unit operators are mapped in our corpus, meaning no franchisee-level buying centers exist to influence or block a sale.
Mandated and current tech stack
The 2025 FDD mandates four technology components. First, an electronic file management system is required. Second, franchisees must use a mandated operating platform, though the specific vendor is not named in the FDD. Third, QuickBooks Online by Intuit Inc. is the mandated accounting software. Fourth, a Youth Database is required, again without a named vendor. This stack suggests the brand prioritizes compliance, record-keeping, and financial controls. Vendors offering integrations with QuickBooks Online or specialized youth-services case management tools may find a receptive audience if they can demonstrate compatibility with the existing mandates.
Procurement, renewals, and timing
Item 8 of the FDD, which typically describes whether the franchisor designates suppliers, approves suppliers, or leaves procurement open, contains no extract in our data. This means the procurement model is not publicly disclosed. Renewal terms are clearer: franchisees in good standing who meet the franchisor’s conditions can renew for an additional 5 years. With a 10-year initial term, the natural contract cycle is long. The recent 100% unit growth, however, may create an immediate opening as new locations come online and HQ evaluates whether its current mandated systems will scale.
How to read the YEL! FDD
The full 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document is embedded below. Key sections for software vendors include Item 11 (Franchisor’s Obligations) to verify the mandated tech list, Item 8 (Restrictions on Sources of Products and Services) to understand procurement rules, and Item 1 (The Franchisor) to identify the executive team. Because the system is small and tightly controlled, the FDD is the single best source of truth on who buys what and when. For a ranked target list of franchise systems matched to your software category, FranCloud can help.
Questions vendors ask
YEL!, answered from the filing
President Chet Gunhus and CFO Lisa Gunhus are the key decision-makers listed in the FDD. As a small system, purchasing authority is highly concentrated at the HQ level.
The FDD mandates an electronic file management system, an operating platform, QuickBooks Online by Intuit Inc., and a Youth Database. No specific POS vendor is named.
There are 5 total units: 2 franchised and 3 company-owned. The brand operates in the youth services segment and is headquartered in Minnesota.
The procurement model is not disclosed in the most recent FDD. Item 8, which typically outlines designated or approved supplier requirements, contains no extract.
With an initial term of 10 years and a 5-year renewal, contract windows are infrequent. The 100% year-over-year unit growth may signal a near-term need for scalable systems.
The 2025 YEL! FDD is filed with state franchise regulators. You can view it directly in the embedded PDF viewer below.
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.
View only A one-time purchase: the original filing, yours to keep.
FDD alert
Tell me when this brand refiles.
We’ll email you the moment YEL! files a new annual FDD, usually the freshest signal of a vendor change.
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
| IA | 1 |
|---|---|
| MN | 1 |
| WI | 1 |
Related Youth services brands
Primary franchise filings · updated June 2026. Every figure is source-traceable and QA-checked.