factual

Can Baya Bar refuse to grant consent for a transfer of development rights?

Baya_Bar Franchise · 2024 FDD

Answer from 2024 FDD Document

Development Area, proximate thereto, or proximate to any of Developer's locations).

  • 6.1.3. If Franchisor assigns its rights in this Agreement, nothing herein shall be deemed to require Franchisor or any of its affiliates to remain in any line of business or to offer or sell any products or services to Developer.
  • 6.2 Restrictions on Transfers by Developer. Developer's rights and duties under this Agreement are personal to Developer, and Franchisor has made this Agreement with Developer in reliance on Franchisor's perceptions of the individual and collective character, skill, aptitude, attitude, business ability, and financial capacity of Developer. Thus, no transfer, as hereafter defined, may be made without Franchisor's prior written approval. Franchisor may void any transfer made without such approval.
  • 6.3 Transfers by Developer. Developer shall not directly or indirectly sell, assign, transfer, give, devise, convey or encumber this Agreement or any right granted or interest herein or hereunder (a "Transfer") or suffer or permit any such assignment, transfer, or encumbrance to occur by operation of law unless Developer first obtains the written consent of Franchisor, which Franchisor may or may not grant in Franchisor's sole discretion, and subject to the following:
    • 6.3.1 The proposed transferee must be an individual of good moral character and otherwise meet Franchisor's then-applicable standards for multi-unit franchisees.
    • 6.3.2 The transferee must have sufficient business experience, aptitude and financial resources to operate multiple Baya Bar outlets and to comply with this Agreement;
    • 6.3.3 The transferee has agreed to complete Franchisor's Initial Management Training Program to Franchisor's satisfaction;
    • 6.3.4 Developer has paid all amounts owed to (i) Franchisor pursuant to this Agreement and all Franchise Agreements and other agreements between Franchisor and/or Franchisor's affiliates and Developer and (ii) third-party creditors;
    • 6.3.5 The transferee has executed Franchisor's then-standard form of Multi-Unit Development Agreement, which may have terms and conditions different from this Agreement, for a term no less than the unexpired term of future development obligations due pursuant to the Mandatory Development Schedule of this Agreement;
    • 6.3.6 Developer agrees to subordinate any claims Developer may have against the transferee to Franchisor and indemnify Franchisor against any claims by the transferee relating to misrepresentations in the transfer process, specifically excluding those representations made by Franchisor in the Franchise Disclosure Document given to the transferee;
    • 6.3.7 Franchisor has granted written approval of the material terms and conditions of the Transfer, including, without limitation, that the price and terms of payment will not adversely affect the transferee's development obligations. However, Franchisor's approval of a Transfer is not in any way a representation or warranty of the transferee's success or the soundness of transferee's decision to purchase the Developer's development rights on such terms and conditions.

Source: Item 23 — RECEIPTS (FDD pages 56–189)

What This Means (2024 FDD)

According to Baya Bar's 2024 Franchise Disclosure Document, Baya Bar has the right to deny a transfer of development rights at its sole discretion. The document states that the rights and duties of the developer are personal, and Baya Bar has made the agreement in reliance on their perception of the developer's character, skills, aptitude, business ability, and financial capacity. Therefore, any transfer cannot be made without prior written approval from Baya Bar, which they may or may not grant.

Baya Bar may void any transfer made without their approval. To gain approval for a transfer, the proposed transferee must meet certain conditions. The transferee must be an individual of good moral character who meets Baya Bar's standards for multi-unit franchisees. They also need to have sufficient business experience, aptitude, and financial resources to operate multiple Baya Bar outlets and comply with the Development Agreement. Additionally, the transferee must complete Baya Bar's Initial Management Training Program to their satisfaction.

Furthermore, the developer must have paid all amounts owed to Baya Bar, its affiliates, and third-party creditors. The developer must provide all proposed transfer documents to Baya Bar for review at least 30 days before the closing of the proposed transfer. If the developer finances any part of the sale price, the obligations of the transferee to the developer must be subordinate to the transferee's obligations to Baya Bar. As a condition of the transfer, the developer must pay Baya Bar a transfer fee. This fee is equal to 50% of the then-current initial franchise fee charged to a new franchisee, but it may be 25% for transfers to existing franchisees in good standing. The transfer fee is $2,000 for transfers among the individuals named as the developer in the agreement, and $2,500 for a transfer to a spouse, parent, or child upon death or permanent disability of the developer.

Disclaimer: This information is extracted from the 2024 Franchise Disclosure Document and is provided for research purposes only. It does not constitute legal or financial advice. Consult with a franchise attorney before making any investment decisions.