Overview

CHRGD is a platform for automating franchise royalty calculations and collections from franchisee POS sales. It is best suited to franchisors that want recurring royalty administration and a visible payment record for franchisees. Its main draw is bringing configurable royalty rules and collection into one workflow; the free plan still carries transaction fees.

Key features

Franchisors can set royalty and marketing-fund rules using percentages, caps, minimums, deferrals, and grace periods. That range suits networks with differing agreement terms, though it means teams need to configure rules to match their own arrangements. Collections run nightly by default, with weekly and monthly schedules for businesses that prefer less frequent transfers.

Active integrations include Square, FareHarbor, Stripe Connect, Clover, QuickBooks, and Xero. Lightspeed Retail, Lightspeed Restaurant, Loyverse POS, and Toast are coming soon, so CHRGD is a less practical choice for networks that depend on those systems until the integrations arrive. Stripe Connect supports ACH and card collection, transfers to franchisor accounts, and platform fee handling.

The franchisee ledger displays daily sales, royalty calculations, transfer amounts, and transfer status. That visibility gives franchisees a way to follow how sales translate into payments, while giving franchisors a shared record to refer to. A multi-location dashboard, franchisee portal, standards checklists, operational audits, and compliance tracking extend its reach beyond royalty collection.

CHRGD describes its product as a progressive web app, with Android, iOS, web, and API platforms. Its API uses OAuth 2.0 with PKCE and provides access to live sales, financial, and franchise data, which may suit teams connecting franchise operations to other systems. The product states that it uses AES-256 encryption at rest, TLS 1.3 in transit, SOC 2 Type II controls, role-based access, and audit logs.

Pricing

Free Forever has no monthly fees, but a small transaction fee applies to royalty payments processed through the platform. It includes unlimited franchisee locations, POS integrations, automated royalty calculations, email support, and standard security features. With no location cap or monthly charge, it is a low-commitment starting point for franchisors automating collections; the transaction fee means payment volume still has a cost.

Email support is included in the plan, while CHRGD's homepage says email, chat, and phone support are available 24/7. The plan's named support inclusion is email, so organizations that depend on broader support channels should confirm what applies to them before relying on it.

Platforms

CHRGD supports Android, iOS, web, and API access. Its progressive web app is designed to work across devices, giving franchisees and operators access beyond a desktop browser.

Who it's for

CHRGD is a strong fit for franchisors that need flexible royalty rules, scheduled collections, and a ledger franchisees can inspect. It is especially relevant when the network uses one of its active POS or accounting integrations. A business whose core POS is only on the coming-soon list should consider waiting or choosing a system that supports it now.

Pros and cons

Pros: Unlimited franchisee locations and POS integrations on the no-monthly-fee plan make it possible to start without a recurring subscription.
Pros: Configurable rules and nightly, weekly, or monthly schedules accommodate different royalty arrangements and collection rhythms.
Pros: The ledger exposes sales, calculations, transfer amounts, and status, helping franchisees understand payment activity.
Cons: Royalty payments processed through the platform incur a transaction fee, so the free plan is not free of payment costs.
Cons: Four integrations are still coming soon, which limits its fit for networks relying on Lightspeed Retail, Lightspeed Restaurant, Loyverse POS, or Toast.

Alternatives

For broader options, see Restaurant Franchise Management Software.

OpsAnalitica is worth considering for teams that want a paid platform with a free trial and Android, iOS, web, and API access.

Ozchain may suit teams that need a web-based freemium option with defined monthly plans, including a Professional plan at 50.00 AUD per month.

FranchiseKit is another paid option with a free trial, including a 20.00 USD per month email white-label plan and a 79.00 USD per month All-in-One plan.

GoAudits may fit organizations focused on audit checklists, with a free trial and a Starter plan priced at 10.00 USD per month under annual billing, per user.

Way We Do is a paid web-based alternative with a free trial and an Entry plan at 99.00 USD per month for 10 team members.

Franchora is a paid alternative available on Android, iOS, and web.

FranConnect is a paid option spanning Android, iOS, web, desktop, and API platforms, with pricing depending on modules, integrations, data migration, and rollout scope.

IFX offers paid, a la carte modules, which may suit teams that want to select modules individually.

Verdict

Choose CHRGD if you are a franchisor looking to automate royalty calculations and collections while giving franchisees a transparent ledger. Its flexible rules, collection schedules, and no-monthly-fee plan are compelling, but the transaction fee and gaps in current integrations are reasons to look elsewhere if payment costs or POS compatibility are priorities.

	CHRGD	Melp
Free plan	Yes
Free trial		Yes
Paid from	Free	$14/mo
Platforms	Android, api, iOS, Web	Android, iOS, Linux, macOS, Web, Windows
Free plan	Yes	Yes
Multi-location dashboard	Yes
Franchisee portal	Yes	Yes
Standards checklists	Yes
Operational audits	Yes
Compliance tracking	Yes
Restaurant integrations	Yes

CHRGD vs Melp

CHRGD

Melp