How to politely request late payment from a franchise client

Late payment from a franchise client usually comes down to their process, not bad faith. Here's who pays, when, what tends to hold payment up, and a polite reminder you can send today.

Who pays, and when

The franchise owner (franchisee) usually pays for local work. Head office (the franchisor) pays for brand-wide work. Franchisees often pay monthly. Head offices use accounts payable terms.

Why payment runs late

Delays often come from confusion over whether the location or head office is paying.

Tips for chasing a franchise client

• Confirm in writing who is paying before you start.
• Address the invoice to the right legal business name.
• Reference the location number or territory.

Example reminder email

Subject: Quick reminder: invoice [number] Hi [first name], I hope all's well. Invoice [number] for [amount] was due on [date]. If it's already on its way, thank you, and please ignore this. I've addressed this to the business named on our agreement and included the location number. Can you confirm this is paid by your location rather than head office? You can pay here: [payment link] Thanks, [Your name]