Franchise Consultants

Add an annual lease cost check

Add lease costs and clear next steps to each client review.

By Angel Campa, FounderUpdated July 15, 2026

I work as a principal engineer. I built the engine behind these audits. Each finding points to the lease clause and the bill line. Your team reviews and signs first.

Add an annual lease cost check

Add one lease cost page to each annual client review.

Compare lease costs and CAM files. End every row with one next action.

This check supports ongoing advice. It does not judge the full franchise plan.

Start with two matched periods

Use the current lease year and one matched past year.

Do not compare unlike periods without a clear note. Partial years can mislead.

Franchise.com lists rent among unit profit costs. It also says gross sales alone do not show profit.

That point supports a cost check. Its published ranges are not benchmarks here.

Build the one-page check

Use one row for each cost or event.

Field What to record
Client Legal client name
Site Address or site code
Current period Lease year under review
Past period Matched lease year
Base rent Current and past source amounts
CAM statement Received, missing, or open
Tax charge Current and past source amounts
Insurance charge Current and past source amounts
Utility share Method and source status
Lease event Renewal, option, sale, or expansion
Support request Exact file or answer needed
Review owner Named firm lead
Next action One approved label

Keep the page with the annual review notes. Link every amount to its source.

Check the lease events

Lease events can change the client discussion.

The lease record page ties CAM to each site. It also lists rent changes, options, and insurance files.

Those fields fit the yearly check.

Use those fields as prompts. They do not prove client results.

Ask these questions:

  • Did base rent change?
  • Did a signed lease change apply?
  • Did the CAM period change?
  • Did tax or insurance support change?
  • Did the utility method change?
  • Is a renewal or option open?
  • Is a site sale planned?
  • Is a new site planned?

Record unknown when proof is absent. Do not fill gaps from memory.

Use four next actions

Each checklist row ends with one label.

No action

The source set explains the change. Save the close note.

Request support

A named file or answer is missing. Assign its owner.

Review lease year

The source set shows a CAM question. Send it into review.

Refer

The question needs legal, tax, or other advice. Name the expert.

These labels keep the annual meeting useful. They also stop open notes from drifting.

Keep review rights sourced

CAM terms and review rights come from the signed lease.

The franchise CAM guide covers yearly statements. It also covers lease audit rights.

Its sample time limits do not apply to every lease.

Show the exact lease text. Mark any legal meaning for counsel.

Do not create one date for all leases. Each lease may differ.

Use a blank meeting block

Copy this block into the annual review.

Check Current period Past period Source Action Owner
Base rent
CAM total
Tax charge
Insurance
Utilities
Lease event
Open support

Do not put advice in a blank field. Keep notes tied to proof.

Walk one sample row

This yearly review example is fictional. It does not show client results.

River Cafe has a current CAM statement. Its past statement is also present.

The current tax line changed. The landlord support is missing.

Check Current state Past state Action Owner
Tax charge Changed Source present Request support Client lead

The advisor does not call the change wrong. The row asks for proof.

If support arrives, the owner can close or review it.

Add the check to delivery

Send a short action list after the meeting.

Use this client draft:

We checked lease costs on this year's list.
This note shows open files.
It also gives each next step.
Each item links to its source.

Keep any legal opinion outside this note. Counsel should own that advice.

Save the final action list with the client file. Reuse its shape next year.

Send each annual action

Confirm scope when a row becomes audit work. Use the audit offer guide.

Move ready lease years into the portfolio CAM queue. It assigns review order.

Send new-site questions to the expansion CAM guide. It tests past-unit proof.

The franchise advisor pillar links yearly checks to the service.

A mixed client need may cross firm types. The Practice Growth hub can route it.

Choose the next lease tool from the franchise resource hub.

The yearly meeting owns this check. See the franchise consultant page.

Where CAMAudit fits

Start CAMAudit when the yearly check calls for review.

Franchise advisors choose which rows need CAM work.

CAMAudit can read supplied files and run fixed math. It can flag source-linked review items.

It can build a branded CAM audit. Add it to your client review.

A firm partner reviews and signs the report.

Your firm adds approved actions to the meeting list.

The meeting action may call for a dispute letter draft. Your firm reviews the draft.

It is not legal advice. Have counsel review before sending.

The service line guide places this check in client work. Use it to name meeting and follow-up owners.

Get started

Sources

Practice Growth

Keep growing this service

See the Franchise advisors growth guide

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