Next Step Franchising
Key figures
| Initial franchise fee | $21,600 |
| Total investment (Item 7) | $535,930 – $796,742 |
| Royalty (Item 6) | 6% of gross sales |
| Headquarters state | FL |
| Legal name (Item 1) | Next Step Franchising, LLC |
| FDD issuance date | 2026-04-02 |
| Franchised units (Item 20) | 83 (Item 20, p.52) |
| Brand website | https://www.lapelsfranchise.com |
About Next Step Franchising
On March 28, 2018, we acquired substantially all of the assets of Next Step Franchising, Inc., including all existing franchise agreements. We only offer franchises which operate under the Marks. TERRITORY (Item 12): this franchisor grants an exclusive territory as described in its FDD.
Due diligence dossier
Every figure below is as disclosed in this brand's own FDD, with its FDD citation. FranchiseKI adds no analysis and estimates nothing.
Unit history (Item 20)
| Year | Franchised | Company-owned | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 83 | 0 | 83 |
| 2024 | 81 | 0 | 81 |
| 2025 | 83 | 0 | 83 |
Source: Item 20, p.52 of the brand's FDD.
Risk & history facts
| Closures in the last 3 years | 8 (Item 20, p.52-61 of the FDD) |
| Transfers in the last 3 years | 13 (Item 20, p.52 of the FDD) |
| Litigation matters disclosed (Item 3) | 2 (Item 3, p.12 of the FDD) |
| Bankruptcy (Item 4) | No bankruptcy disclosed (Item 4) (Item 4, p.13 of the FDD) |
Litigation summary (Item 3): Two matters involving former franchisees Maria and Egidio Barros: one state court action for breach of contract and other claims (stayed for arbitration), and one arbitration demand by the franchisor for unpaid amounts and abandonment. Both were resolved in arbitration. (Item 3, p.12-13 of the FDD)
Ownership & operations
| Owner-operator required | Yes (Item 15, p.41 of the FDD) |
| Absentee ownership allowed | No (Item 15, p.41 of the FDD) |
| Typical time to open | 6 months (Item 11, p.36 of the FDD) |
Territory description (Item 12): Franchisees are granted a protected territory, typically covering an area of approximately 20,000 residents or one zip code, within which the franchisor will not establish or license another Lapels business from a physical location, subject to certain exceptions and alternative distribution channels. (Item 12, p.36-39 of the FDD)
Training: Our initial training program consists of the following three (3) stages: Stage One – Virtual Business Training. (Item 11, p.29 of the FDD)
Ongoing support:
- Assistance with store opening
- Operational guidance via reports/inspections
- Access to Operations Manual
- Discretionary store visits for guidance
- Review and approval of advertising materials
- Additional guidance/training upon request (at franchisee cost)
- General guidance on operating issues
- Guidance on pricing
Source: Item 11, p.28 of the brand's FDD.
Company facts
| Headquarters | Naples, FL (Item 1, p.9 of the FDD) |
| Years in business | 8 (Item 1, p.9 of the FDD) |
| Years franchising | 8 (Item 1, p.9 of the FDD) |
| Parent company | Clean Franchise Brands, LLC (Item 1, p.9 of the FDD) |
| Initial term | 10 years (Item 17, p.42 of the FDD) |
| Renewal term | 10 years (Item 17, p.42 of the FDD) |
| Company-owned units | 0 (Item 20, p.52 of the FDD) |
| Projected new units | 10 (Item 20, p.61 of the FDD) |
Questions to ask the franchisor
Generated from what this brand's FDD data does not disclose — ask Next Step Franchising directly:
- What liquid capital does the franchisor require of a new franchisee? It is not disclosed in the FDD data we hold for this brand.
- What minimum net worth does the franchisor require? It is not disclosed in the FDD data we hold for this brand.
- Does the franchisor make financial performance representations (Item 19)? If it does, ask for the average unit revenue. Ask for the median too. This FDD makes none that we could extract.
Territory — what the FDD says (Item 12)
Under this brand's Item 12 rule, the franchisor grants an exclusive territory: while your agreement runs, the franchisor may not place another franchisee — or operate a competing company unit — inside your territory's boundaries (subject to the carve-outs in the FDD). Areas inside an existing franchisee's territory are therefore not available to a new buyer.
The FDD's own words (Item 12): “this franchisor grants an exclusive territory as described in its FDD.”
Next steps with Next Step Franchising
Put Next Step Franchising on a shortlist. Compare it side by side with two other brands. Check it against your budget in the PerfectFit Quiz. Or talk it through with a vetted consultant. That conversation is free to buyers; call (385) 475-5319. Only the franchisor can confirm current terms. Only the franchisor can confirm territory availability.