If a franchisee enters into an office rent agreement with Brooke, facility department professionals coordinate the details associated with getting the office established. The facility department has personnel available on site to coordinate tasks such as carpet installation, furniture set up, computer equipment wiring and utility and communication hookups.

The office rent agreement includes a license for franchisees to use a specified list of equipment that is purchased by Brooke. This list typically includes printers, copiers, scanners, fax machines, chairs, desks, storage and file cabinets, phones, computers, tables, partitions, etc. If franchisees want to purchase additional equipment or supplies that are not provided through the office rent agreement, they may do so and utilize a corporate discount the facility team has negotiated with Staples. Other professional supply vendors that the facility department works with and provides discounts through include UPS, AT&T, Cingular Wireless, Alltel, Protection One Security, Cynthia Ayers & Co. and Integrated Cabling Services.

As part of the initial office setup, the facility professionals also provide suggestions to franchisees for interior decorating using banners, displays and other advertising and promotional materials available through Brooke’s logo center.

The office support provided to franchisees doesn’t stop after initial office setup. The facility department provides ongoing office support during the term of the office rent agreement. They contract for and pay facility-related bills (such as bills for utilities and communication services) on behalf of each franchisee and charge these expenses to the franchisee’s statement. This saves the franchisee the associated time and hassle of paying bills. In addition to bill paying, the facility team assists with building and landlord issues that may occur. Each franchisee is given an emergency assistance number to call in the event of a location-related emergency such as a fire or break in. A respondent is available at this number to provide emergency assistance 24 hours a day, seven days a week.