How does Apex Fun Run operate after opening?
Apex Fun Run is a home-based, territory-assigned school fundraising operation. The franchisee signs schools and other eligible groups, deploys trained Apex teams to run a prescribed fundraising and leadership program, manages inventory and local labor, and completes collections and reporting through franchisor-controlled agreements, systems, supplier rules and customer-data standards.
What does the franchisee sell, and who buys it?
The contracting client is normally a school or eligible organization; students participate, while parents, businesses and other sponsors supply donations or pledges. The franchisee receives the contractually specified share of funds raised rather than selling admission to the event.
For schools, the Apex program combines fundraising, leadership curriculum, fitness activity, prizes and a culminating event. The official school-benefits page describes daily programming and event coordination; the FDD requires the current Annual Theme, approved prizes, prescribed design and approved Event Agreement.
| Program | Primary client | Delivery pattern | Material operating difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apex Live | Elementary schools | Full two-week, in-person program | An Apex team coordinates rallies, lessons, prizes, event day, follow-up and collections; normally one school at a time. |
| Apex Flex | Schools needing a lower-input format | Two-week program with automated elements | Uses items such as ticker stickers and automated videos; one Apex team may serve up to three schools concurrently. |
| Anython | Sports teams, clubs and other non-elementary groups | Online fundraising platform supporting varied “-athon” activities | Operates outside the elementary-school model and has separate reporting and royalty treatment. |
| Middle School Programs | Middle schools | Usually two weeks, adapted to school schedules | Uses different challenges, online sharing and pay-to-play mechanics; typically requires one or two Apex Athletes. |
Each Apex program also has a virtual model: leadership training moves online, students complete a Remix activity at home, and authorized content, systems and reporting still apply.
Sources: 2025/2026 FDD, Item 1, PDF pp. 8-10; Item 16, p. 33; Franchise Agreement Sections 2 and 12.3-12.5, pp. 47 and 56-57. Public context: official operating overview and official FAQs.
How does work move from school outreach to final reporting?
The operating cycle is a controlled sales-to-event-to-collection process. The Operations Manual table of contents identifies the sequence from school setup and student uploads through Teacher Huddle, Pep Rally, team days, event day, follow-up, collections and final reports.
Build and qualify school demand
- Actor
- Sales Professional, trained Managing Owner or trained Team Leader.
- Action
- Targets schools in the Territory through approved meetings, referrals, collateral and social media.
- System/asset
- Operations Manual sales process and Apex website inquiries.
- Output
- A qualified client ready for an approved proposal.
Contract and configure the program
- Actor
- Franchisee and authorized school or organization representative.
- Action
- Selects an authorized program, Event Agreement and required percentage split.
- System/asset
- Annual Theme, School Setup, Student List Upload and Payment Processing System.
- Output
- A scheduled, configured campaign with defined inventory and collection paths.
Launch the two-week campaign
- Actor
- Trained Team Leader and Apex team, with school staff.
- Action
- Conducts the Teacher Huddle and Pep Rally and starts pledge activity.
- System/asset
- Pep Rally Script, branded equipment, current prizes and Apex website access.
- Output
- Participants understand the schedule, pledge process and Event Goal.
Deliver curriculum and manage pledges
- Actor
- Team Leader and trained team members.
- Action
- Delivers Classroom Lessons, reviews the Pledge Report and manages the Prize Cart.
- System/asset
- Annual Curriculum, approved inventory and OPS Daily Checklist.
- Output
- Current pledge records, fulfilled prize milestones and Event Day readiness.
Execute and record the event
- Actor
- Team Leader, trained event staff and students.
- Action
- Conducts Fun Run Day, Remix or another authorized event under Safety Standards.
- System/asset
- Tow vehicle, branded trailer, event equipment, uniforms and result upload.
- Output
- Recorded Event Results ready for pledge completion and Collections Process.
Collect, reconcile and report
- Actor
- Franchisee, school, Heritage Pay or another specified processor, and franchisor.
- Action
- Runs Collections Process and submits Gross Revenues, Anython and Client Survey reports.
- System/asset
- Computer System, Tuesday reporting cycle and Final Reports.
- Output
- Client and franchisee shares reconcile after required Deductions.
Sources: 2025/2026 FDD, Items 1, 6 and 11, PDF pp. 8-16 and 21-28; Operations Manual contents, pp. 109-111; Franchise Agreement Sections 6, 8, 12, 14.9 and 16.3, pp. 51-63. The official platform terms describe designated payment services.
The model is not contractually passive. The Managing Owner must own at least 25%, be personally involved or supervise the Team Leaders and other staff, and either the Managing Owner or a Team Leader must work full time with on-site management and supervision. The owner may also perform the Team Leader or Sales Professional function, but does not have to do so.
Who performs each operating function?
The FDD requires roles, not a universal headcount. Every Business must designate at least one Team Leader and one Sales Professional; trained owners may fill either role, while the franchisee decides whom to hire or contract with and remains the sole employer.
Franchisee organization
- Managing Owner
- Primary supervision; retains the required ownership interest and training.
- Team Leader
- Directs staff, conducts events and manages daily on-site execution.
- Sales Professional
- Markets the Business to schools and other permitted groups after completing sales training.
- Employees or contractors
- Perform event and support work under franchisee hiring, pay and scheduling.
Franchisor organization
- Apex University
- Trains the Managing Owner, Team Leaders and Sales Professional and administers required tests and refresher programs.
- Operations support
- Provides the Operations Manual, Annual Theme, coaching, supplier review and consultation.
- Administrative support
- Answers web inquiries and assists with employee data and background checks.
- System control
- Approves programs, agreements, percentage splits, advertising, suppliers, technology and Customer Data use.
Affiliate and third parties
- Heritage Pay
- Named affiliate that handles payment processing and related franchisee financial reporting; also an approved processing supplier.
- Approved suppliers
- Provide prizes, teacher packages, shirts, equipment and branded materials.
- Website supplier
- Hosts and maintains the franchisor-administered Apex program website; the supplier is not named in the FDD.
- School and donors
- The school contracts and supports delivery; donors fund pledges or contributions tied to the campaign.
Sources: 2025/2026 FDD, Items 1, 8, 11 and 15, PDF pp. 8-10, 18-28 and 33; Franchise Agreement Sections 5, 6 and 8, pp. 49-52. The official training page is supplemental; the FDD controls.
Which suppliers, assets and technologies are mandatory?
The Business is home-based, but it is asset-dependent. The franchisee needs trained personnel, approved event inventory and equipment, a tow-capable vehicle, a branded trailer, the required Computer System, insurance and access to the franchisor's website, reporting and payment processes.
Physical operating stack
Digital and reporting stack
Item 8 estimates that source-restricted goods and services represent nearly 90% of required establishment purchases and 80% of ongoing operating expenses. That percentage is not an earnings measure; it indicates how much of the operating input stack can be controlled through specifications, approved suppliers, designated suppliers or future affiliate supply.
Sources: 2025/2026 FDD, Item 8, PDF pp. 18-20; Item 11, pp. 23-25; Franchise Agreement Sections 7.1 and 12.5-12.8, pp. 52 and 57. Current supplier, software, host and processor names are not fully disclosed.
What does the franchisor control, and what remains with the franchisee?
Apex Leadership Franchising, LLC controls the customer promise and operating architecture; the franchisee controls the local company and day-to-day employment decisions within those standards. Territory exclusivity does not create freedom to change products, pricing, channels, agreements, data practices or event procedures.
| Decision area | Franchisor control | Franchisee decision |
|---|---|---|
| People | Role, training, confidentiality, uniform and operating standards. | Employee selection, compensation, scheduling, promotion, assignments and working conditions. |
| Offering | Authorized programs, annual theme, curriculum, prizes, Event Agreement and maximum percentage splits. | Which authorized program to propose to a qualified client and whether owners personally fill operating roles. |
| Assets and vendors | Specifications, source restrictions, supplier approval, branded wrap and required upgrades. | Home office versus optional office or storage; vehicle supplier where no designated source applies. |
| Marketing | Ad approval, Marketing Fund, Local Marketing Spend, internet prohibition and social-media policy. | Local relationship development and execution of approved outreach inside the permitted market. |
| Records and data | Report formats and timing, Customer Data rules, access credentials, audits and technology changes. | Maintaining accurate books, securing Customer Data and managing legal compliance. |
The assigned Territory is exclusive for contracting with schools and Anython organizations located inside it. Marketing must be primarily directed to in-territory schools. An outside school can be served only when it contacts the franchisee without solicitation or there is a qualifying personal relationship, and only when the school is not in another Apex territory; a later territory sale can require transfer of that school.
The Territory contains at least 170 points: 50 for Anython and 120 based on school free-or-reduced-lunch profiles. Performance defaults can trigger Territory reduction, training, an approved local campaign or termination. The Franchise Agreement separately permits Anython fundraising for organizations outside the Territory. Franchisees cannot maintain websites or e-commerce, but may use approved social media.
Sources: 2025/2026 FDD, Items 11-12, PDF pp. 23-30; Items 15-16, p. 33; Franchise Agreement Sections 8, 11-13 and 16, pp. 52-63. See the official U.S. franchise website.
What does Item 20 show about the operating network?
At June 30, 2025, Item 20 reported 131 U.S. outlets, defined as separate territories: 119 franchised and 12 company-owned. Item 19 separately reports 54 franchisees operating the 119 franchised territories, so outlet count is not owner count.
Item 20 territory-based outlet count; total = 131
Source: 2025/2026 FDD, Item 19 Overview, PDF p. 36; Item 20, Table 1 and Notes, pp. 39 and 44. Calculation: 119 ÷ 131 = 90.8%; 12 ÷ 131 = 9.2%; rounded percentages reconcile to 100.0%.
Which operating details still require current-document verification?
The FDD defines the control structure, but several day-to-day dependencies sit in the confidential Manual, supplier notices or system settings. A buyer should verify the current version rather than assume the 2025 specifications remain unchanged.
Official operating references
What is the central operating-model conclusion?
Apex Fun Run converts school and organization relationships into managed fundraising campaigns, then allocates collected funds among the client, franchisee and required Deductions. The franchisee's central responsibility is field execution: secure approved contracts, staff trained Apex teams, deliver the Annual Curriculum and event, maintain records and complete Collections Process.
The strongest dependency is franchisor control over the Operations Manual, program content, suppliers, Event Agreement, percentage splits, Apex website, Customer Data and reporting. Apex Live, Apex Flex, Anython, Middle School Programs and virtual delivery use different customers, staffing and fulfillment patterns within one Territory. The largest unresolved question is the current named technology and supplier stack.