What is the relationship between the 'Franchisor' and the 'Franchisee' in the Bee Organized franchise agreement?
Bee_Organized Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
"Franchisee's Bee Organized Business" means the Bee Organized Business that Franchisee shall operate within the Operating Territory pursuant to the terms, conditions and obligations set forth in this Agreement. Shall have the same meaning as Franchised Business.
"Franchisor's Reasonable Business Judgment" means, and relates to any and all decisions, actions and choices made by Franchisor concerning or relating to this Agreement, the System generally, Bee Organized Businesses and/or the Franchised Business where Franchisor undertakes or makes such decision with the intention of benefitting or acting in a way that could benefit the System. When making decisions and/or taking actions in Franchisor's Reasonable Business Judgment, Franchisor may, in addition to all other rights afforded to Franchisor under this Agreement, consider factors, in whole or in part, that include: Franchisor's profits; enhancing the value of the Licensed Marks; increasing client satisfaction; minimizing potential customer confusion as to the Licensed Marks; determining Operating Territory markets; minimizing potential customer confusion as to the location of Bee Organized Businesses; expanding brand awareness of the Licensed Marks; implementing marketing and accounting control systems; and approving products, services, supplies and equipment. Franchisee agrees that when a decision, determination, action and/or choice is made by Franchisor in Franchisor's Reasonable Business Judgment that such decision, determination, action or choice shall take precedence and prevail, even if other alternatives, determinations, actions and/or choices are reasonable or arguably available and/or preferable. Franchisee agrees that in connection with any decision, determination, action and/or choice made by Franchisor in Franchisor's Reasonable Business Judgment that: (a) Franchisor possesses a legitimate interest in seeking to maximize Franchisor's profits; (b) Franchisor shall not be required to consider Franchisee's individual economic or business interests as compared to the overall System; and (c) should Franchisor economically benefit from such decision, determination, action and/or choice that such economic benefit to Franchisor shall not be
Franchisee; and/or (e) the legal and/or equitable transfer and/or sale of an Owner's interests and/or voting rights in Franchisee.
"Transfer Fee" shall have the meaning defined in Article 14.C.(11) of this Agreement. The Transfer Fee is a fixed sum of $15,000.
"Vehicle(s)" means the Franchisor approved commercial vehicle(s) to be acquired, leased, maintained and operated by Bee Organized Business franchisees in connection with the day to day operations of a Bee Organized Business. Franchisee's Vehicle(s) must be dedicated to the day to day operations of the Franchised Business, must be approved by Franchisor, and must meet Franchisor's specifications as to vehicle models, vehicle age, vehicle type, interior configuration and capability, signs, and exterior vehicle branding, if applicable.
ARTICLE 2 GRANT OF FRANCHISE
2.A. GRANT OF FRANCHISE
Franchisee has requested that Franchisor grant to Franchisee the non-exclusive license and right to develop, own and operate a Bee Organized Business within a specified territory. In reliance on the representations made by Franchisee and/or Franchisee's Owners in any submitted application and during the application process and subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, Franchisee's request has been approved by Franchisor, subject to the following terms and conditions:
Without limitation to the foregoing, the term Ancillary Agreements includes the Franchise Owner and Spouse Agreement and Guaranty and the Assignment of Telephone Numbers and Digital Media Accounts, as said agreements, individually and/or collectively, may have been entered into between the foregoing parties.
"Annual Conference Attendance Fee" means an annual conference attendance fee to be paid by Franchisee to Franchisor in an amount determined by Franchisor in an amount not exceeding $1,000 per attendee per year.
"Annual System Conference" means a conference that may be established and organized by Franchisor for the purpose of facilitating networking among Bee Organized Business franchisees, and general education.
Franchisor shall designate and determine whether or not an Annual System Conference shall occur and, if one is established in any particular year, the dates, content and location of the Annual System Conference.
In all cases where Franchisor's prior approval is required and no other method or timing for obtaining such approval is prescribed, Franchisee shall request such approval in writing, and Franchisor shall respond within 10 business days after receiving Franchisee's written request and all supporting documentation, provided if Franchisor does not respond, such request shall be deemed unapproved.
STATE SPECIFIC AMENDMENTS TO FRANCHISE AGREEMENT
CALIFORNIA FRANCHISE AGREEMENT AMENDMENT
Amendments to the Bee Organized Franchise Agreement:
No statement, questionnaire or acknowledgement signed or agreed to by a franchisee in connection with the commencement of the franchise relationship shall have the effect of: (i) waiving any claims under any applicable state franchise law, including fraud in the inducement, or (ii) disclaiming reliance on any statement made by any franchisor, franchise seller, or other person acting on behalf of the franchisor. This provision supersedes any other term of any document executed in connection with the franchise.
Item 17, "Renewal, Termination, Transfer and Dispute Resolution," Item 17 is supplemented by the addition of the following:
The Wisconsin Fair Dealership Law Title XIV-A Ch. 135, Section 135.01-135.07 may affect the termination provision of the Franchise Agreement.
Source: Item 23 — RECEIPTS (FDD pages 54–218)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to the 2025 Bee Organized Franchise Disclosure Document, the relationship between the franchisor, Bee Organized Enterprises, LLC, and the franchisee is defined by the franchise agreement, which grants the franchisee a non-exclusive license to operate a Bee Organized Business within a specified territory. This license is contingent upon the franchisee's representations during the application process and adherence to the terms and conditions outlined in the agreement. The franchisor's approval is required for various aspects of the business, and the franchisor will respond to the franchisee's written requests within 10 business days. If the franchisor does not respond within this timeframe, the request is deemed unapproved.
Bee Organized retains significant decision-making authority, described as 'Franchisor's Reasonable Business Judgment,' which prioritizes the overall benefit of the Bee Organized system. This judgment can consider factors such as the franchisor's profits, brand value, and customer satisfaction, potentially without prioritizing the individual franchisee's economic interests. The franchisee agrees to abide by the franchisor's decisions, even if other alternatives seem reasonable. The franchisee is also obligated to pay an annual conference attendance fee to the franchisor, not exceeding $1,000 per attendee per year, to attend the Annual System Conference, if the franchisor chooses to establish one.
The franchisee's operational territory is defined in the franchise agreement and may be determined by Bee Organized if not specified. The franchisee is responsible for maintaining approved commercial vehicles that meet the franchisor's standards. The agreement also includes ancillary agreements such as the Franchise Owner and Spouse Agreement and Guaranty, and the Assignment of Telephone Numbers and Digital Media Accounts. Furthermore, any transfer of ownership interests in the franchisee is subject to a transfer fee of $15,000.
Amendments to the franchise agreement may exist based on the franchisee's location. For example, in California, the agreement is amended to ensure that franchisees cannot waive claims under state franchise law or disclaim reliance on franchisor statements. In Wisconsin, the Wisconsin Fair Dealership Law may affect the termination provisions of the franchise agreement. These state-specific amendments highlight the importance of franchisees understanding the legal landscape in their specific location and how it interacts with the franchise agreement.