What is the relationship between B Bops and B-Bop's, Inc.?
B_Bops Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
The franchisor is B-Bop's Franchising Corp. To simplify the language used in this disclosure document, the franchisor will be referred to as the "Company". The Company is an Iowa corporation with its principal office located at 2900 100th St., Suite 302, Urbandale, Iowa 50322; telephone (515) 221-3202. The Company was incorporated on June 30, 1994 to sell franchises for the operation of B-Bop's Restaurants. The Company does business only under its formal corporate name, "B-Bop's Franchising Corp." The Company's business consists of granting franchises to others for the operation of B-Bop's Restaurants and providing support services to its franchisees. The Company does not currently own or operate a B-Bop's Restaurant, although its affiliate, B-Bop's, Inc., owns and operates ten B-Bop's Restaurants in the Des Moines, Iowa area. The Company began offering franchises for B-Bop's Restaurants in November, 1994. The Company has not offered franchises in any other line of business.
The Company's agents for service of process are listed in Exhibit B to this disclosure document.
AFFILIATES/PREDECESSORS
The Company is affiliated with B-Bop's, Inc. ("B-Bop's"), an Iowa corporation with its principal office located at 2900 100th St., Suite 302, Urbandale, Iowa 50322. B-Bop's was incorporated on June 30, 1989 to assume ownership and operation of the original B-Bop's restaurant which began operations in November, 1988 in Des Moines, Iowa. B-Bop's does business under the name, "B-Bop's". Its business consists of owning and operating ten B-Bop's Restaurants in the Des Moines, Iowa area. B-Bop's has not previously offered franchises for the operation of a B-Bop's Restaurant or franchises for the operation of any other type of business.
B-Bop's is also a predecessor of the Company, as the "B-Bop's" trademark and logo and certain proprietary information and trade secrets owned by the Company were acquired on May 17, 1995 from B-Bop's. See Item 13 of this disclosure document for additional information about the B-Bop's trademark.
The Company is owned by Robert D. Johnson as its sole shareholder and, consequently, the Company does not have a parent company. Robert D. Johnson is also the sole shareholder of B-Bop's.
Source: Item 1 — THE FRANCHISOR AND ANY PARENTS, PREDECESSORS AND AFFILIATES (FDD pages 9–11)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to B Bops's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, B-Bop's Franchising Corp., the franchisor, is affiliated with B-Bop's, Inc. B-Bop's, Inc. owns and operates ten B Bops restaurants in the Des Moines, Iowa area. The franchisor, B-Bop's Franchising Corp., does not own or operate any B Bops restaurants. Both companies share the same principal office in Urbandale, Iowa. Robert D. Johnson is the sole shareholder of both B-Bop's Franchising Corp. and B-Bop's, Inc.
B-Bop's, Inc. is also a predecessor to B-Bop's Franchising Corp. B-Bop's Franchising Corp. acquired the "B-Bop's" trademark and logo, along with certain proprietary information and trade secrets, from B-Bop's, Inc. on May 17, 1995. This means that B-Bop's, Inc. played a crucial role in the early stages of the B Bops brand by establishing the original restaurant and developing key brand assets that were later transferred to the franchising entity.
For a prospective franchisee, this relationship indicates that while B-Bop's Franchising Corp. focuses on franchising and support, B-Bop's, Inc. maintains hands-on experience in running B Bops restaurants. This could be beneficial as the affiliate's operational knowledge can inform the franchisor's support and training programs. However, it's important for potential franchisees to understand how decisions are made between the two entities and whether any conflicts of interest could arise due to this dual role.