Are transfers to current owners of a 7 Brew franchise subject to the right of first refusal?
7_Brew Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
series of transfers (regardless of the timeframe over which those transfers take place) in the aggregate transferring the franchise rights granted by this Agreement or a controlling ownership interest in you or in an Entity owning a controlling ownership interest in you, then we will not
unreasonably withhold our approval of a proposed transfer meeting all of the following conditions:
- a. on both the date you send us the transfer request and the transfer's proposed effective date: (i) the transferee and its direct and indirect owners have the necessary business experience, aptitude, and financial resources to operate the Store; (ii) the transferee otherwise is qualified under our then-existing standards for the approval of new franchisees or of existing franchisees interested in acquiring additional franchises (including the transferee and its affiliates are in substantial operational compliance, at the time of the application, under all other franchise agreements for 7 BREW Stores to which they then are parties with us); and (iii) the transferee and its owners are not restricted by another agreement (whether or not with us) from purchasing the Store or the ownership interest in you or the Entity that owns a controlling ownership interest in you;
- b. on both the date you send us the transfer request and the transfer's proposed effective date, you have paid all required Royalties, Brand Fund contributions, Tech Fees, and other amounts owed to us and our affiliates relating to this Agreement and the Store, have submitted all required reports and statements, and are not in breach of any provision of this Agreement or another agreement with us or our affiliates relating to the Store;
- c. on both the date you send us the transfer request and the transfer's proposed effective date, neither the transferee nor any of its direct or indirect owners or affiliates operates, has an ownership interest in, or performs services for a Competitive Business;
- d. before or after the transfer's proposed effective date (as we determine), the transferee's management personnel, if different from your management personnel, satisfactorily complete our then-current Initial Training;
- e. the transferee has the right to occupy the Store's site for the expected franchise term;
- f. before the transfer's proposed effective date, the transferee and each of its owners (if the transfer is of the franchise rights granted by this Agreement), or you and your owners (if the transfer is of a controlling ownership interest in you or in an Entity owning a controlling ownership interest in you), if we so require, sign our then-current form of franchise agreement and related documents (including a Guaranty and Assumption of Obligations and, if applicable, Owner's Undertaking of Non-Monetary Obligations), any and all of the provisions of which may differ materially from any and all of those contained in this Agreement, provided, however, that (i) the term of the new franchise agreement signed will equal the unexpired portion of the Term, (ii) the Royalty, Brand Fund contribution, and Tech Fee levels specified in this Agreement will be substituted into the then-current form of franchise
agreement that is signed for the balance of the initial franchise term (i.e., the unexpired portion of the Term), (iii) the new franchise agreement will retain the same defined Area of Protection appearing in this Agreement, and (iv) if we previously agreed to amend this Agreement before you signed it, we will incorporate such amendments into the then-current form of franchise agreement that is signed by the transferee;
- g. before the transfer's proposed effective date, you or the transferee pays us a transfer fee equal to Ten-Thousand Dollars ($10,000);
- h. before the transfer's proposed effective date, the transferee agrees to repair and/or replace Operating Assets and upgrade the Store (including its physical structure) in accordance with our then-current requirements and specifications for new 7 BREW Stores within the timeframe we specify following the transfer's effective date;
- i. before the transfer's proposed effective date, you (and your transferring owners) sign a general release, in a form satisfactory to us, of any and all claims against us and our affiliates and our and their respective owners, officers, directors, employees, representatives, agents, successors, and assigns;
- j. we have determined that the purchase price, payment terms, and required financing will not adversely affect the transferee's operation of the Store;
- k.
Source: Item 22 — CONTRACTS (FDD pages 82–83)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
The 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document does not explicitly state whether transfers to current owners of a 7 Brew franchise are subject to a right of first refusal. However, the document does outline the conditions under which 7 Brew may approve or deny a transfer of ownership.
Specifically, 7 Brew will not unreasonably withhold approval of a transfer if certain conditions are met. These conditions include the transferee having the necessary business experience, aptitude, and financial resources; being qualified under 7 Brew's standards for new or existing franchisees; and not being restricted by any other agreement from purchasing the store or ownership interest. Additionally, the franchisee must be current on all payments and not in breach of any agreements with 7 Brew. The transferee also cannot operate or have an interest in a competitive business.
Other conditions for transfer approval include the transferee's management personnel completing initial training, the transferee having the right to occupy the store's site, payment of a $10,000 transfer fee, agreement to repair and upgrade the store, and signing a general release of claims against 7 Brew. The franchisor must also determine that the purchase price and financing will not adversely affect the transferee's operation of the store. The FDD does not specify whether these conditions apply differently to current owners seeking to transfer their franchise.