Patrice & Associates is a recruiting agency franchise serving employers and job candidates. Its April 30, 2026 FDD, amended September 9, 2026, describes management recruiting for retail, restaurants, hospitality and other industries. A prospective owner should examine the recruiting work, placement-fee structure and management commitments alongside the brand’s history.
History and the recruiting model
Item 1 states that Patrice Rice opened the first agency in Dunkirk, Maryland, in 1989. The current franchisor, Patrice Franchising, LLC, was organized in 2022 and began offering franchises in December of that year. Its predecessor offered agency franchises beginning in 2008.
Franchisees receive access to the P&A Database, including candidate and position information, and billing and collection services. Recruiters solicit candidates and help place them with employers. Clients may originate with the franchisor, the local agency or another franchisee. Clients contract with the franchisor, which manages the agreements and collects placement fees.
The disclosed model also permits certain contract or fixed-term placements, but distinguishes these from temporary staffing. Clarify the authorized service and client agreement before assuming that all staffing arrangements are available.
Initial investment and fees
Item 7 estimates an initial investment of $105,100–$121,050. The initial franchise fee is $65,000. Other disclosed opening charges include $7,000 for franchisee training, $10,000 for executive recruiting training and certification, $7,000 for a microsite and $3,000 for the marketing starter kit. These amounts form part of the total estimate, rather than being added to it again.
The estimate also covers items such as opening marketing, equipment, professional fees and three months of additional funds. Optional manager training accounts for a $0–$3,500 range in the table. Review the Item 7 notes and your proposed staffing plan to determine the applicable expenses.
Understand the deductions from placement fees
Item 6 lists a 10% royalty, a 5% billing-services fee, a 2% brand-fund fee and a 7% database fee, each based on Gross Sales as defined in the documents. The four percentage charges total 24%. They are not the only possible costs: recruiter licensing, technology, training and other charges may apply.
Item 1 explains how payments are shared when one franchisee places a candidate with another franchisee’s client. Review these allocation rules and the timing of collections when preparing a cash-flow forecast. A client’s placement fee is not the same as the amount an owner retains or earns as profit.
Virtual training and launch support
Item 11 describes initial virtual training with 24.5 classroom hours and 26 on-the-job hours. Topics include sourcing and screening candidates, client development, calls, time management and the applicant-tracking system. The Managing Owner must complete the required training before the business opens.
The FDD provides for a mentor during the first 90 days of operation, with individual calls on business days. It also describes two group calls each week during the first six weeks. Executive recruiting requires a supplemental training and certification module. These resources support the learning process but do not guarantee placements or rapid profitability.
Home-based operation and management
Item 11 describes a home-based business; an owner may choose commercial office space within the territory. The ability to work from a home office does not remove the requirement for active supervision.
Under Item 15, an approved Managing Owner must hold at least 51% ownership unless that requirement is waived. The agency must have full-time, day-to-day supervision by the Managing Owner or a trained Manager. A Managing Owner using a trained Manager must still monitor that person’s work and compliance.
Technology, marketing and information handling
The system includes database access, a local microsite, recruiting tools and brand resources. Item 6 separately discloses technology and digital recruiting charges. The FDD’s descriptions of microsite maintenance are not fully consistent across Items 5 and 7, so obtain written clarification of the initial and continuing charges rather than assuming all future maintenance is prepaid.
Review the rules for approved marketing and the ownership and permitted use of candidate and client information. Ask how your team will maintain accurate records, protect confidential information and follow the system’s recruiting procedures.
Assess whether the work suits you
Consider your willingness to develop employer relationships, contact candidates, follow up consistently and manage hiring processes that may not result in a placement. Ask existing and former operators about workload, collection timing, staff development and the support they received. Do not use broad claims of unlimited earnings as a financial forecast.
Explore the Patrice & Associates franchise profile and review the offering documents with qualified advisers before deciding. Source: Patrice Franchising, LLC, April 30, 2026 FDD as amended September 9, 2026, Items 1, 5, 6, 7, 11, 14 and 15.