What standards apply to the sites I propose for new 7 Brew stores?
7_Brew Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
ITORY**
Franchise Agreement
You will operate each 7 BREW Store at a specific location that we first must accept. You must find, obtain our written acceptance of, and secure a site for each Store following the procedures specified in the DRR (described in Item 11). (We do not "approve" sites; we "accept" them under the circumstances described in Item 11. When we "accept" a site, that means only that we believe the site is not inconsistent with sites that we regard as favorable, or that otherwise have been successful sites in the past, for 7 BREW Stores. "Accept" is different from "approve," which in this context might be interpreted to mean that we subjectively determined that the particular site is a good site.) You may operate the Store only at that site. You may not relocate the Store without our prior written consent, which we have the right to grant or deny as we deem best. Whether or not we will allow relocation depends on circumstances at the time and what is in the Store's and our system's best interests. Factors include, for example, the new site's market area, its proximity to other Stores in our system, whether you are complying with your Franchise Agreement, and how long it will take you to open at the new site.
Conditions for relocation approval are (1) the new site is acceptable to us, (2) you pay us a $5,000 relocation fee, (3) you reimburse any costs we incur during the relocation process, (4) you confirm that your original Franchise Agreement remains in effect and governs the Store's operation at the new site with no change in the franchise term, (5) you sign a general release, in a form satisfactory to us, of any and all claims against us and our owners, affiliates, officers, directors, employees, and agents, (6) you continue operating the Store at its original site until we authorize its closure, and (7) you de-brand and de-identify the Store's former premises within the timeframe we specify and at your own expense so it no longer is associated in any manner (in our opinion) with our system and the Marks.
Source: Item 12 — TERRITORY (FDD pages 45–49)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to 7 Brew's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, the franchisor must first accept the location you propose for each 7 Brew store. The standards that 7 Brew uses to assess potential sites are the franchisor's then-current standards. 7 Brew does not "approve" sites, but rather "accepts" them. According to the FDD, acceptance means that 7 Brew believes the site is consistent with sites that they regard as favorable, or that otherwise have been successful sites in the past, for 7 Brew stores.
As a 7 Brew franchisee, you are responsible for finding and securing a site for each store. This process must follow the procedures specified in the Development Rights Rider (DRR). The number of stores you are required to develop, along with the deadlines for development, will be determined by 7 Brew and outlined in the DRR. These factors depend on the number of 7 Brew stores you agree to develop, demographics, competitive businesses, and site availability.
7 Brew retains the right to delay the development or opening of additional stores if they believe you are not adequately prepared to operate in compliance with their standards. However, if 7 Brew's failure to timely accept a proposed site causes a delay, and they do not cure the delay within 10 days after written notice from you, you can adjust the development schedule accordingly. This adjustment involves adding the number of days 7 Brew delayed your progress to the opening deadline for each additional 7 Brew store to be developed under the schedule.