VILLAGE JUICE COMPANY

Financials hit hard for a fast-casual entrant: Item 7 pegs total investment at $491,650-$970,600 for Traditional units or Express models, spanning leasehold improvements, equipment, initial inventory, and opening marketing up to $25,000. The $39,500 franchise fee unlocks training and support, but ongoing costs bite with 7% royalty on gross sales, 1% brand/ad fund, and a fixed $1,700 monthly technology fee—even if sales lag. No Item 19 means zero disclosed earnings data, leaving franchisees blind on average revenues or profits; you'll need to probe current owners directly for real AUVs in malls, universities, or food halls.

System health flashes yellow: just 6 total units (4 franchised, 2 corporate) per 2024 FDD, down 20% from 5 locations in 2022. One termination and one transfer in the disclosure year underscore early turbulence in a 7-year-old brand, possibly from high buildouts or market saturation challenges. Absent growth projections or robust validation, this contraction advises caution—ideal for experienced operators betting on health trends, but risky for novices without deep pockets or FDD Item 20 validation.