Who owns the B Bops construction plans and specifications?
B_Bops Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
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- The Company will provide you with construction plans and specifications from which you will be responsible for having site specific plans and specifications prepared for construction of the Franchise premises and for having the plans and specifications certified. You are required to bear all expenses associated with (i) transforming the Company's plans and specifications into site specific plans and specifications (ii) assuring that such plans and specifications comply with all local codes, regulations or ordinances applicable to construction of the Franchise premises and (iii) having the plans and specifications certified. The plans and specifications shall remain the confidential property of the Company at all times and must be returned to the Company after construction of the Franchise premises is completed. No modifications of the Company's plans and specifications can be made without the Company's prior consent and any such consent will be subject to the person making the modification executing and delivering to the Company an assignment of such person's rights in the modified plans and specifications. (Section 8(B) of the Franchise Agreement)
Source: Item 11 — FRANCHISOR'S ASSISTANCE, ADVERTISING, COMPUTER SYSTEMS AND TRAINING (FDD pages 25–33)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to B Bops's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, B Bops retains ownership of the construction plans and specifications. While the franchisee is responsible for adapting these plans to the specific site and ensuring they comply with local regulations, the original plans, and any modifications, remain the confidential property of B Bops.
Specifically, B Bops will provide the franchisee with initial construction plans and specifications. The franchisee must then create site-specific plans and specifications, ensuring they meet all local codes and regulations. The franchisee bears all costs associated with this process, including certification of the plans.
Importantly, the franchisee must return the original plans to B Bops after construction. Any modifications to the plans require B Bops's prior consent, and the franchisee (or whoever makes the modifications) must assign all rights to the modified plans back to B Bops. This ensures B Bops maintains control over its brand standards and building design.
This arrangement is fairly common in franchising, as it allows the franchisor to maintain uniformity and protect its intellectual property. However, it also means the franchisee has limited flexibility in customizing the restaurant design without explicit approval from B Bops.