Companies

Maui Tacos International, Inc. operates an area representative model with zero total outlets, indicating no operational proof of concept. The franchise requires a $75,000 fee and total investment up to $208,000, yet lacks an Item 19 financial disclosure, making revenue projections impossible. ⚠ A prior bankruptcy filing is a significant red flag, and the complete absence of any open or closed outlets over the past year suggests the brand is effectively dormant. ✓ No litigation history provides the only neutral point, but the lack of scale and growth trajectory makes this a high-risk opportunity.

EL&N Cafe' is a pre-revenue franchise with zero total outlets and no openings or closures in the past year, indicating it has not yet launched any operational units. The total investment range of $883,000 to $1,867,000 is substantial for a concept with no proven track record, and the absence of Item 19 financial disclosure ⚠ means there is no validated earnings data for prospective franchisees to evaluate. While the franchise has no litigation or bankruptcy history ✓, the high entry cost combined with a complete lack of operational history and financial performance data presents significant risk. This offering is essentially a concept sale, requiring investors to accept substantial upfront costs without any evidence of market validation or unit-level economics.

Apexx Adams Transportation, LLC is a pre-revenue franchise with zero total outlets opened or closed, indicating it has not yet established any operational proof of concept. ✓ The low franchise fee of $5,000 and total investment range of $29,050 to $112,350 make it one of the more affordable entry points in the transportation sector. ⚠ However, the absence of Item 19 financial disclosure means there is no validated data on potential earnings or franchisee performance, which is a significant risk for prospective investors. ⚠ The 30% royalty fee is exceptionally high for a brand with no track record, raising concerns about long-term profitability and value for franchisees.

Sunbi Kimbap enters the market as a brand-new franchise with zero total outlets and no operating history, presenting a high-risk profile for early adopters. The total investment range of $202,500 to $461,000 is significant for an unproven concept, and the absence of Item 19 financial disclosure means there is no data on unit economics or revenue potential. ✓ No litigation or bankruptcy history provides a clean legal slate, but ⚠ the lack of any outlet openings or closures over the past year signals no real-world validation or growth trajectory. Prospective franchisees should proceed with extreme caution, as the brand offers no track record to assess viability or profitability.

K-Roll Yumsem is a pre-revenue franchise with zero total outlets and no operating history, presenting a high-risk profile for early adopters. The total investment range of $217,000 to $421,000 is substantial for an unproven concept, and the absence of Item 19 financial performance data ⚠ leaves potential franchisees without any revenue or profitability benchmarks. While there are no litigation or bankruptcy concerns ✓, the lack of any unit growth or closures over the past year indicates the brand has not yet launched or validated its business model. This franchise is essentially a startup concept requiring significant capital, with no track record to assess its viability or return potential.

Grill Hero is a pre-revenue franchise with zero total outlets and no operating history, presenting a high-risk venture for early adopters. ✓ The relatively low total investment range of $70,050 to $128,250 and absence of litigation or bankruptcy are positive structural factors. ⚠ However, the lack of Item 19 financial performance data means there is no proven unit economics or revenue benchmarks to evaluate, and the 6% royalty on an unproven model adds financial uncertainty. This franchise is essentially a concept with no track record, making it suitable only for investors willing to accept significant execution risk.

Just Junk is a startup franchise with zero total outlets and no operating history, presenting a high-risk profile for early adopters. ✓ The low franchise fee of $10,000 and moderate total investment range of $61,950 to $197,925 offer a relatively accessible entry point. ⚠ However, the absence of Item 19 financial performance data means there is no proven revenue or profitability track record for prospective franchisees to evaluate. ⚠ With no outlets opened or closed last year, the brand lacks any real-world validation or growth momentum, making it a speculative opportunity.

TJS Franchise LLC presents a high-risk profile as a brand-new franchise with zero total outlets, no historical openings or closures, and no royalty fee structure, which suggests an unproven business model. The total investment range of $244,700 to $634,500 is substantial for a concept with no operational track record, though the absence of litigation or bankruptcy is a minor positive. ✓ The inclusion of Item 19 financial disclosure is a plus, but without any existing franchisee performance data, its value is limited. ⚠ The lack of any operating units and a $40,000 franchise fee for an untested system are significant red flags, making this a speculative investment with no validation from real-world operations.

Bud's Place is a pre-revenue franchise with zero total outlets and no openings or closures in the past year, indicating it has not yet launched any operational units. The total investment range of $600,400 to $1,426,600 is substantial for a concept with no proven track record, and the absence of Item 19 financial disclosure means there is no data on potential earnings or performance. ⚠ The presence of litigation is a significant red flag, and the $65,000 franchise fee with a 7% royalty adds to the financial risk for early adopters. This franchise carries high uncertainty and should be approached with extreme caution due to its unproven status and legal issues.

Rubber Ducky Franchises presents a high-risk profile with zero total outlets and no financial performance disclosure (Item 19), making it impossible to validate any revenue or profitability claims. The franchise fee of $45,000 and royalty of 8.0% are significant, especially given the wide total investment range of $75,850 to $524,300, which suggests unclear operational requirements. ⚠ The complete absence of any opened or closed outlets in the past year indicates no proven market traction or operational history. ✓ The lack of litigation or bankruptcy is a neutral point, but the lack of scale and transparency are major red flags for potential franchisees.

P3 Recovery USA LLC is a pre-revenue franchise with zero total outlets opened or closed, indicating it has not yet established any operational proof of concept. The total investment range of $731,022 to $1,360,022 is substantial, especially given the $65,000 franchise fee and 10.0% royalty, yet there is no Item 19 financial disclosure to validate potential earnings. ⚠ The presence of litigation is a significant red flag, and the complete lack of any outlet growth or historical performance makes this an exceptionally high-risk, unproven opportunity.

Texas Roadhouse Developmentoration presents a significant red flag as a franchise opportunity with zero total outlets and no financial performance disclosure (Item 19), making it impossible to validate any revenue or profitability claims. ⚠ The absence of any operating units, combined with a high total investment range of $5.5 million to $8.1 million and a 4% royalty, creates an exceptionally risky proposition for prospective franchisees. ✓ The $40,000 franchise fee is relatively low for this investment tier, but this is overshadowed by the presence of litigation and the complete lack of a proven track record. This franchise is essentially an untested concept requiring substantial capital, offering no historical data to support its business model.

Goldmember, LLC (Crown Gold Exchange) presents a high-risk investment due to the absence of any Item 19 financial performance disclosure, leaving franchisees without validated revenue or profit expectations. ⚠ The total investment range of $100,158 to $193,900 is moderate, but the lack of royalty and outlet growth data makes it impossible to assess ongoing costs or brand traction. ✓ No litigation or bankruptcy history provides a clean legal record, yet the complete absence of outlet counts and year-over-year changes signals a very early-stage or dormant franchise system. Without operational scale or financial benchmarks, prospective franchisees are essentially investing in an unproven concept with no track record of success.

Rocket Fizz presents a high-risk profile due to the complete absence of financial performance representations (Item 19) and any disclosed outlet growth data, making it impossible to assess unit-level economics or brand momentum. ✓ The relatively low franchise fee of $25,000 and moderate total investment range of $125,900 to $288,000 lower the financial barrier to entry. ⚠ However, the lack of any historical outlet openings or closures, combined with no Item 19, creates a significant information vacuum that prevents validation of the business model or system health. This franchise is suitable only for investors willing to proceed without any verifiable track record of franchisee success or operational stability.

Stretch Zone presents a high-cost entry point with a franchise fee of $53,550 and a total investment ranging from $142,590 to $305,489, coupled with a 7.0% royalty. ⚠ A significant red flag is the absence of Item 19 financial performance data, leaving prospective franchisees without crucial earnings benchmarks. ⚠ The presence of litigation further elevates risk, while the lack of disclosed outlet counts prevents any assessment of growth or closure trends. This combination of high investment, no financial disclosure, and legal issues makes Stretch Zone a speculative opportunity requiring extensive due diligence.

Birdie’s Auto Spa Franchisor, LLC presents a relatively low-cost entry point with a total investment range of $81,500 to $234,250 and a modest 4% royalty, which could appeal to owner-operators seeking a service-based business. ⚠ However, the absence of Item 19 financial performance data is a significant red flag, as prospective franchisees cannot assess unit-level profitability or revenue benchmarks. The lack of any disclosed outlet counts, openings, or closures further obscures the brand’s scale and growth trajectory, making it impossible to evaluate market traction or franchisee turnover. ✓ On a positive note, the absence of litigation and bankruptcy filings suggests a clean legal history, though this does little to offset the critical transparency gaps.

Office Evolution presents a high-cost entry point with a franchise fee of $139,500 and a total investment range reaching up to $2.178 million, coupled with a 7.5% royalty. ⚠ A significant red flag is the complete absence of an Item 19 financial disclosure, meaning there is no verifiable data on unit-level revenue or profitability for prospective franchisees. ✓ The brand has no reported litigation or bankruptcy history, which is a positive indicator of corporate stability. However, without any outlet growth or closure data, it is impossible to assess the franchise's operational scale or market trajectory.

Corporate Cleaning Group presents a high-risk opportunity due to an extreme and unexplained investment range of $9.5 million down to $146,700, which suggests a lack of standardized unit economics or potential data errors. The absence of an Item 19 financial disclosure is a critical red flag, as it prevents any verification of revenue or profitability for prospective franchisees. With no data on total outlets, recent openings, or closures, there is no track record to assess brand growth or stability. The $45,500 franchise fee and 5.5% royalty are standard, but the lack of transparency and operational history makes this a speculative investment.

Orangetheory presents a high-cost entry point with a franchise fee of $179,143 and a total investment ranging from $821,622 to $1,377,160, coupled with an 8.0% royalty. ⚠ A significant red flag is the absence of Item 19 financial performance data, leaving prospective franchisees without crucial revenue or profitability benchmarks. ✓ The brand has no litigation or bankruptcy history, which is a positive indicator of corporate stability. However, the lack of outlet growth or closure data makes it impossible to assess the system's current trajectory or unit-level health.

Pest Authority enters the market with a relatively low total investment range of $65,950 to $127,990 and a moderate franchise fee of $25,000, making it accessible for entry-level operators. ⚠ A significant red flag is the presence of litigation, which raises concerns about franchisee relations or business practices. ⚠ The absence of Item 19 financial performance representations means prospective franchisees cannot verify unit-level profitability or revenue expectations. Without data on outlet growth or closures, the brand's current scale and trajectory remain unclear, adding further uncertainty for investors.

Menchies presents a moderate entry point with a franchise fee of $32,000 and a total investment range of $139,946 to $475,579, though the absence of Item 19 financial performance data is a significant ⚠ transparency concern for prospective franchisees. The brand's growth trajectory is impossible to assess due to a complete lack of outlet opening and closing figures, which is a major ⚠ red flag for evaluating market traction. A prior ⚠ bankruptcy filing introduces additional risk, while the absence of litigation is a ✓ neutral factor. Overall, the lack of financial disclosure and historical performance data makes Menchies a high-risk, speculative investment.

Petro Stopping Centers requires an exceptionally high total investment ranging from $11.4 million to $56.7 million, positioning it as a major capital commitment in the travel center sector. The absence of Item 19 financial performance data is a significant ⚠ concern, as prospective franchisees cannot evaluate potential revenue or profitability. Additionally, the presence of litigation ⚠ introduces legal risk, while the lack of disclosed outlet growth or closure data makes it impossible to assess the brand's operational stability or expansion trajectory. This opportunity is best suited for well-capitalized investors willing to accept substantial financial and informational uncertainty.

Papa Johns presents a high-risk profile given its lack of Item 19 financial performance disclosure and active litigation, which obscures unit-level economics and signals potential legal exposure. The franchise requires a substantial total investment ranging from $111,000 to nearly $900,000, with a relatively low $9,000 franchise fee and a 5.0% royalty. ⚠ The absence of outlet growth data and the presence of litigation are significant red flags, making it difficult to assess the brand's current expansion trajectory or operational stability. ✓ The absence of bankruptcy history provides a minor positive, but the overall lack of transparency and legal issues warrant caution for prospective franchisees.

SixFour3 Franchising, LLC presents a high-cost entry point with a $42,500 franchise fee and total investment ranging from $366,000 to $625,000, coupled with a 6.0% royalty. ✓ The absence of litigation and bankruptcy filings suggests a clean legal and financial history. ⚠ However, the lack of any disclosed outlet data—including total units, openings, or closures—makes it impossible to assess the brand's operational scale, growth trajectory, or franchisee turnover. This complete absence of performance metrics is a significant red flag, as it prevents prospective franchisees from evaluating real-world business viability.

Great Khan MB LLC presents a high-risk opportunity due to the complete absence of an Item 19 financial disclosure, leaving prospective franchisees with no validated data on potential earnings or unit performance. The total investment range of $141,000 to $613,000 is broad, suggesting significant variability in build-out costs, yet the lack of any outlet count or growth history makes it impossible to assess the brand's operational scale or market traction. ⚠ The absence of litigation and bankruptcy is a neutral factor, but the missing Item 19 and zero disclosed outlet data are critical red flags that prevent any meaningful analysis of the franchise's viability or profitability.

WaveMAX Laundry enters the market with a substantial investment range of $356,455 to $1,546,750 and a $54,950 franchise fee, positioning it as a high-cost opportunity in the laundry sector. ⚠ The absence of an Item 19 financial disclosure is a significant red flag, as it prevents prospective franchisees from evaluating any historical unit-level performance or revenue benchmarks. With no data on total outlets, openings, or closures, the brand’s scale and growth trajectory remain entirely opaque. ✓ The lack of litigation or bankruptcy history offers a clean legal slate, but the high capital requirement combined with zero financial transparency makes this a high-risk proposition.

World Gym presents an extreme outlier in franchise investment, with a total investment range spanning from $789,452,500 to an implausible $2.7 trillion, which is likely a data error or reflects a unique business model. ⚠ The absence of Item 19 financial performance data, royalty details, and any outlet growth or closure figures makes it impossible to assess unit economics or historical stability. ✓ The franchise carries no litigation or bankruptcy history, but the lack of operational transparency and the astronomically high investment floor create significant risk for potential franchisees. This opportunity demands extreme caution and immediate clarification of the investment structure before any consideration.

IV Nutrition presents a high-risk profile given its lack of Item 19 financial performance data, which prevents any assessment of unit-level profitability or growth trajectory. The franchise requires a substantial total investment of up to $402,550 with a $49,500 fee and 6% royalty, yet has no disclosed outlet counts or recent openings/closures to indicate scale or stability. ⚠ The presence of litigation is a significant red flag, suggesting potential operational or legal challenges. Without historical performance metrics or a proven network, this opportunity carries considerable uncertainty for prospective franchisees.

Goldfish Swim School requires a substantial total investment ranging from $1.66 million to $3.75 million, paired with a $50,000 franchise fee and a 6.0% royalty. ⚠ A significant red flag is the absence of an Item 19 financial disclosure, meaning there is no verifiable data on unit-level revenue or profitability for prospective franchisees. ✓ The franchise reports no litigation or bankruptcy history, which suggests a clean legal record. However, without outlet counts or growth data, it is impossible to assess the brand's scale or recent expansion trajectory.

NY NAP TEA Master Offer presents a high-cost master franchise opportunity with a $300,000 franchise fee and total investment ranging from $624,000 to $802,200. ⚠ The absence of any Item 19 financial disclosure is a significant red flag, as prospective master franchisees have no validated data on unit economics, sales performance, or profitability. ✓ The lack of litigation or bankruptcy history provides a clean legal slate, but the complete lack of operational history—with no outlets opened, closed, or total units reported—makes it impossible to assess brand traction or growth trajectory. This offering carries substantial financial risk due to the high entry cost combined with zero transparency on existing performance or market validation.

Firehouse Subs presents a high-cost entry point with a total investment ranging from $379,650 to $1,396,100 and a $10,000 franchise fee, though the absence of Item 19 financial performance data is a significant ⚠ transparency risk for prospective franchisees. The brand carries a ⚠ litigation flag, which warrants further due diligence, though no bankruptcy history provides some stability. Without disclosed outlet counts or year-over-year growth figures, assessing the chain's current scale and trajectory is impossible, leaving investors to rely on brand reputation alone. This opportunity is best suited for candidates comfortable with a substantial capital commitment and willing to operate without validated financial benchmarks.

Arctic Elevation presents a high-risk investment profile due to the absence of any operational history, financial performance data (Item 19), or disclosed royalty structure. The franchise demands a substantial initial investment ranging from $177,250 to $762,500, coupled with a steep $100,000 franchise fee, yet offers no track record of outlet openings or closures to validate the business model. ⚠ The complete lack of Item 19 and operational metrics makes it impossible to assess unit-level economics or growth trajectory. ✓ The absence of litigation and bankruptcy filings is a neutral point, but the venture remains an unproven concept with significant capital requirements and no performance benchmarks.

Scenthound enters the market with a substantial franchise fee of $49,900 and a total investment range of $328,099 to $549,869, positioning it as a significant capital commitment. ⚠ A critical red flag is the absence of Item 19 financial performance data, leaving prospective franchisees without any validated revenue or profitability benchmarks to assess the business model. ✓ The lack of litigation or bankruptcy history provides a clean legal slate, but the complete lack of outlet growth or closure data makes it impossible to evaluate the brand's operational stability or market traction. This franchise presents a high-cost, high-risk opportunity with no disclosed financial performance or unit-level history to support its viability.

PackageHub Business Centers presents a high-risk profile due to its lack of operational scale, absence of financial performance disclosures (Item 19), and active litigation. ⚠ The franchise fee is waived, but the total investment range of $1,695 to $108,890 is unusually broad, suggesting a poorly defined business model. ✓ The low entry cost may attract budget-conscious entrepreneurs, but the complete lack of outlet data and negative legal history make this a speculative venture. Without any growth or closure metrics, potential franchisees should exercise extreme caution.

CPR presents a high-risk profile with a moderate initial investment range of $90,350 to $360,500 and a $39,900 franchise fee. ⚠ A significant red flag is the presence of litigation, which raises concerns about operational or legal stability. ✓ The absence of an Item 19 financial disclosure means there is no verifiable data on unit economics or revenue potential, making it impossible to assess profitability. ⚠ Without any data on outlet growth or closures, the brand's trajectory and franchisee success rate remain completely opaque.

Skin Type Solutions Franchise System, LLC presents an exceptionally low-cost entry point with a total investment range of $8,000 to $25,500 and a modest $7,500 franchise fee. However, the absence of any Item 19 financial disclosure is a significant ⚠ red flag, as prospective franchisees cannot evaluate potential earnings or unit-level performance. The lack of reported outlet counts, growth, or closures suggests the brand may be in a very early stage or has limited operational history, making it difficult to assess scale or trajectory. While there are no litigation or bankruptcy concerns, the minimal investment is offset by a high degree of financial uncertainty.

2nd Family operates with a moderate entry cost, featuring a franchise fee of $60,000 and a total investment range of $119,825 to $521,500, with a 5.5% royalty. ⚠ A significant red flag is the complete absence of an Item 19 financial disclosure, meaning there is no verifiable data on unit economics, revenue, or profitability for prospective franchisees. ✓ The franchise has no history of litigation or bankruptcy, which is a positive indicator of corporate stability. However, without any disclosed outlet counts or growth trajectory, it is impossible to assess the brand's scale or operational track record.

The HomeAides Franchise System LLC presents a significant risk profile due to the complete absence of an Item 19 financial performance representation, leaving prospective franchisees with no validated data on unit economics or revenue potential. ⚠ The total investment range of $120,003 to $346,155 is moderate, but the $59,500 franchise fee and 7.0% royalty are high for a service-based concept without disclosed growth or closure metrics. ✓ The lack of litigation and bankruptcy history is a neutral positive, yet the absence of any outlet counts or year-over-year changes makes it impossible to assess brand traction or failure rates. This franchise is a high-risk venture for investors who require transparent, data-backed performance benchmarks before committing capital.

Bio-One operates without a disclosed financial performance representation (Item 19), which is a significant ⚠ risk for prospective franchisees evaluating potential earnings. The franchise requires a $60,000 fee and total investment up to $221,095, with a 7.5% royalty, yet the absence of outlet growth or closure data makes it impossible to assess system momentum. The presence of litigation ⚠ further clouds the opportunity, as it may indicate operational or legal challenges. Without Item 19 or outlet counts, this is a high-risk, opaque investment that demands extensive independent validation.

TruBlue operates a massive network of 104,135 total outlets, demonstrating extraordinary scale in the home services sector. The franchise requires a relatively low total investment of $70,050 to $96,400 with a $49,900 franchise fee and a 6% royalty, making it accessible for many operators. ✓ Growth is exceptionally strong, with 4,119 new outlets opened against only 27 closures last year, indicating robust demand and system health. ⚠ However, the presence of litigation in the FDD is a notable risk factor that prospective franchisees should investigate thoroughly before committing.

Groom Service Mobile Pet Spa, LLC presents a high-risk opportunity due to its lack of any Item 19 financial performance disclosure, leaving prospective franchisees without validated revenue or profit data. ⚠ The total investment range of $51,750 to $156,500 is moderate, but the 8% royalty fee is relatively high for a mobile service model. ✓ The absence of litigation and bankruptcy history is a neutral positive, yet the complete lack of outlet data—including total units, openings, and closures—makes it impossible to assess brand traction or failure rates. This franchise is essentially a blind bet, as the franchisor provides no operational track record or financial benchmarks for investors to evaluate.

Infinity MedSpa Franchising, LLC presents a high-risk opportunity due to the complete absence of an Item 19 financial disclosure, leaving prospective franchisees without any validated revenue or profitability data. The total investment range of $290,200 to $1,010,000 is substantial, yet the franchise has no reported outlets, no growth history, and no data on openings or closures, indicating it may be a very early-stage or unproven concept. ⚠ The lack of any operational track record combined with the high entry cost creates significant uncertainty. Without financial performance benchmarks or a network of existing locations to validate the model, this franchise carries an exceptionally high speculative risk.

Ace Hardware operates with a remarkably low $5,000 franchise fee, but the total investment range of $139,600 to over $2 million is exceptionally wide, reflecting significant variability in store formats. ⚠ A major red flag is the absence of Item 19 financial performance data, leaving prospective franchisees without crucial earnings benchmarks. ✓ The brand benefits from immense national recognition and a cooperative business model, though the presence of litigation in its history warrants caution. This opportunity is best suited for investors who prioritize brand strength over transparent financial disclosure.

NEXTBITE BRANDS, LLC presents an exceptionally low-cost entry point with a franchise fee of just $2,000 and total investment ranging from $14,500 to $24,500. ⚠ However, the absence of any Item 19 financial disclosure means there is no verifiable data on unit economics, revenue, or profitability for prospective franchisees to evaluate. ✓ The company has no litigation or bankruptcy history, which is a positive signal, but the complete lack of outlet counts—both total and annual openings/closings—makes it impossible to assess the brand's scale, growth trajectory, or operational stability. This franchise is a high-risk proposition due to the total absence of financial performance representations and any track record of unit growth.

sweetFrog presents a high-risk profile due to a massive investment range of $48.5M to $820.5K, which is unusually broad and suggests significant operational variability. ⚠ The absence of Item 19 financial performance data prevents any assessment of unit-level profitability or revenue expectations. ⚠ The presence of litigation further clouds the brand's stability, while the lack of outlet growth data makes it impossible to gauge franchisee success or system expansion. This franchise requires extreme caution and extensive due diligence before any consideration.

Uptown Cheapskate operates in the resale apparel space with a relatively high entry cost, requiring a total investment between $328,002 and $596,502 and a $35,000 franchise fee. ⚠ A significant red flag is the presence of litigation, which introduces legal and reputational risk for prospective franchisees. ✓ The 5.0% royalty is moderate, but the absence of Item 19 financial performance data makes it impossible to assess unit-level economics or validate the brand's profitability. Without disclosed outlet counts or growth trends, this franchise presents a high-cost, opaque opportunity with notable legal concerns.

BIOSWEEP presents a high-risk profile with no disclosed outlet count, no Item 19 financial performance data, and no royalty structure, making it impossible to assess unit economics or growth trajectory. ⚠ The presence of litigation is a significant red flag, while the total investment range of $161,788 to $186,868 is moderate but unsupported by any operational track record. ✓ The absence of bankruptcy is a minor positive, but the lack of any outlet openings or closures data suggests this is either a very new or dormant franchise system. Prospective franchisees should exercise extreme caution given the complete absence of financial transparency and legal concerns.

Zoomin Groomin requires a substantial franchise fee of $187,500 and total investment ranging from $196,150 to $395,400, yet it does not provide Item 19 financial performance data, making it impossible to assess potential returns. ⚠ The presence of litigation is a notable red flag, and the absence of any outlet growth or closure data suggests a lack of transparency regarding operational scale. ✓ The absence of bankruptcy filings offers a minor positive, but the high entry cost combined with no financial disclosure and legal issues presents significant risk for prospective franchisees.