Franchise opportunities compared
The Back Nine vs The Hot Spot
Reviewed figures from each brand's Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD), side by side. Each figure carries its FDD year and page. This is not a ranking or recommendation, and the two FDDs may cover different years and location groups.
Before you compare
- Both sets of figures come from 2026 FDDs.
- Only The Hot Spot has reviewed Item 19 figures here.
| Disclosure |  The Back Nine |  The Hot Spot |
|---|---|---|
| Financial commitment | ||
| Estimated initial investment (Item 7) | $307,050 Total initial investment — low estimate $307,050 2026 FDD · Item 7 · PDF p. 16 | $82,600 – $156,200 Total initial investment lower endpoint 2026 FDD · Item 7 · PDF p. 14 |
| Standard initial franchise fee (Item 5) | $50,000 2026 FDD · Item 5 · PDF p. 7 | $39,500 2026 FDD · Item 5 · PDF p. 8 |
| Royalty (Item 6) | 8% Royalty Fee — 8% 2026 FDD · Item 6 · PDF p. 8 | $100 Continuing royalty monthly minimum in second operating year 2026 FDD · Item 6 · PDF p. 8 |
| Brand / advertising fund (Item 6) | $50,000 Liquidated Damages — lesser of $50,000 or up to 24 months of Royalty fees and Brand Marketing Fund contributions 2026 FDD · Item 6 · PDF p. 13 | 2% Brand Fund Contribution maximum 2% of Gross Revenue; current 1% — 2% 2026 FDD · Item 6 · PDF p. 9 |
| System scale & health | ||
| Total outlets (Item 20) | 28 Outlets at end of 2024 2026 FDD · Item 20 · PDF p. 38 | 26 Outlets at end of 2025 2026 FDD · Item 20 · PDF p. 37 |
| Net outlet change (Item 20) | +18 Calculated: 10 at end of 2023 → 28 at end of 2024 | +23 Calculated: 3 at end of 2023 → 26 at end of 2025 |
| Outlet exits (Item 20) | Not available No complete exit records for a year | Not available No complete exit records for a year |
| Franchising since (Item 1) | Not available Not in reviewed records | Not available Not in reviewed records |
| Franchisor founded (Item 1) | Not available Not in reviewed records | Not available Not in reviewed records |
| Performance (Item 19) | ||
| Financial performance (Item 19), by location group | No reviewed Item 19 figures | Locations counted not stated in the reviewed record — TahoeCalifornia opened2010 $89,019 other TahoeCalifornia opened2010 · 2026 FDD · Item 19 · PDF p. 34 Locations counted not stated in the reviewed record — LibertyCalifornia opened2012 $1,222,713 other LibertyCalifornia opened2012 · 2026 FDD · Item 19 · PDF p. 35 Locations counted not stated in the reviewed record — SparksNevada opened2019 $488,060 other SparksNevada opened2019 · 2026 FDD · Item 19 · PDF p. 36 |
Item 19 groups are shown separately and never combined. Revenue or sales figures are not profit. Net outlet change and turnover are Franopolis calculations from the disclosed counts; turnover is a count-based rate, not a measure of owner earnings.
The Back Nine vs The Hot Spot: common questions
- Which costs less to open, The Back Nine or The Hot Spot?
- The Back Nine: $307,050 (2026 FDD · Item 7 · PDF p. 16); The Hot Spot: $82,600 – $156,200 (2026 FDD · Item 7 · PDF p. 14). These are each franchisor's Item 7 estimated initial investment. The low end of the disclosed estimate is lower for The Hot Spot. Estimates are not quotes, and the FDD years may differ.
- How do The Back Nine and The Hot Spot royalties compare?
- The Back Nine: 8% (2026 FDD · Item 6 · PDF p. 8); The Hot Spot: $100 (2026 FDD · Item 6 · PDF p. 8). Royalties as disclosed in Item 6; other recurring fees are listed separately.
- Which has more locations, The Back Nine or The Hot Spot?
- The Back Nine: 28 (2026 FDD · Item 20 · PDF p. 38); The Hot Spot: 26 (2026 FDD · Item 20 · PDF p. 37). Total outlets from Item 20. Outlet counts do not indicate territory availability or franchisee results.
- Do The Back Nine and The Hot Spot disclose financial performance (Item 19)?
- The Back Nine has no reviewed Item 19 figures on file; The Hot Spot has reviewed Item 19 figures for 3 location groups. Different location groups are not directly comparable, and revenue is not profit.
Answers restate the reviewed figures above. Not a ranking or recommendation.