Is consent required for modifications to the B Bops Project Manual?
B_Bops Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
The Company will provide to you the Project Manual containing the plans and specifications for the construction of the Franchise Premises. The Project Manual, including the plans and specifications remain the exclusive property of the Company and you are required to return it to the Company after construction of the Franchise Premises is complete. Any modifications to the Project Manual, including the plans and specifications, require the consent of the Company and such consent is subject to the person making the modifications executing and delivering to the Company an assignment of such person's rights to the Project Manual, including the plans and specifications, as modified.
Source: Item 14 — PATENTS, COPYRIGHTS AND PROPRIETARY INFORMATION (FDD pages 37–39)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to B Bops's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, any modifications to the Project Manual, including the plans and specifications, require the company's consent. This consent is conditional, requiring the person making the modifications to execute and deliver an assignment of their rights to the modified Project Manual, including the plans and specifications, to B Bops.
This requirement means that if a franchisee wishes to alter any aspect of the construction plans provided in the Project Manual, they must first obtain explicit approval from B Bops. Furthermore, the franchisee or any third party making the modifications must legally transfer all rights to those modifications to B Bops. This protects B Bops's intellectual property and ensures uniformity across all franchise locations.
For a prospective B Bops franchisee, this condition highlights the importance of carefully reviewing the initial plans and specifications. Any desired changes should be discussed with B Bops early in the process, keeping in mind that B Bops has the final say and will own any modifications made. This is a fairly standard practice in franchising, as franchisors typically want to maintain brand consistency and protect their proprietary designs. However, the requirement to assign rights to modifications is something a franchisee should carefully consider, as it could limit their ability to customize their location or benefit from improvements they develop.