What rights does B Bops retain regarding the Project Manual after construction?
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, the Project Manual, which contains the plans and specifications for constructing the franchise premises, remains the exclusive property of B Bops. After construction is complete, the franchisee is required to return the Project Manual to B Bops.
This means that while franchisees are provided with the Project Manual to build their B Bops restaurant, they do not own it. This is a common practice in franchising, as it allows the franchisor to maintain uniformity and control over the brand's image and standards. The franchisee's use of the Project Manual is limited to the construction phase, and they cannot retain it or use it for any other purpose afterward.
Furthermore, any modifications to the Project Manual, including the plans and specifications, require B Bops's consent. If a franchisee or someone they hire makes modifications, they must assign their rights to the modified Project Manual to B Bops. This ensures that B Bops retains control over any changes to the design and specifications of its restaurants, maintaining brand consistency and protecting its intellectual property.