HQ can collect money from its shops, such as franchise fees and HQ Store orders. Where that money lands depends on two settings: Settings → Payments (HQ's own card account) and Settings → Default Billing (a payout location). Both are on the HQ Settings page, under Settings in the HQ sidebar.
HQ card account (Settings → Payments)
This is HQ's own account, "so HQ can charge your shops for supplies, uniforms and fees and the money settles to HQ's bank." Only org owners and admins can use it. Others see "Only organization owners and admins can manage HQ's card account."
The Payments tile only appears when HQ card accounts are turned on for your organization. If the page says they "aren't available for your organization yet," contact SalesThumb support.
Setting it up
- Open the Payments tile.
- Click Set up HQ card account.
- Fill in the application. It uses the same Payment Processing Agreement as a shop's payments setup.
- Submit it.
What the status means
- Application in review: you can click Resume setup to update your details.
- ✓ HQ's card account is approved.: setup is done.
- A declined application, or an account switched off, shows a message asking you to contact SalesThumb support.
Where the money goes
Once the account is approved, franchise fees and HQ Store orders settle to it. Until then they go to a payout location you pick on Settings → Default Billing. Royalty bank drafts stay with that payout location either way, because each franchisee's linked bank account belongs to it.
Picking the payout location
On Default Billing, the Where HQ's money goes card has a location picker.
- Choose a company-owned location. Locations that can't take card payments yet are marked "(can't take card payments yet)".
- Click Save and confirm.
If you pick nothing, the money goes to the first location set up to take card payments, which could be a franchisee's. The page warns you about this. If the picked location leaves your organization, franchise fees, HQ Store orders and royalty bank drafts are refused until you pick a new one.
Frequently asked questions
Q: Why don't I see a Payments tile?
A: It only shows when HQ card accounts are turned on for your organization, and only to owners and admins.
Q: Does the payout location still matter after my account is approved?
A: Yes, for royalty bank drafts. Fees and HQ Store orders move to the HQ card account.
Q: Is this the same as who pays for each shop's subscription?
A: No. That's the Default Billing choice of HQ pays or Each shop pays, set on the same page. See Setting up your HQ account.