factual

If a Belocal franchisee wishes to transfer their interest, what must the transferor and proposed transferee do?

Belocal Franchise · 2025 FDD

Answer from 2025 FDD Document

. If Franchisee wishes to transfer all or part of its interest in the Franchised Business or this Agreement or in substantially all of the assets of the Franchised Business, or if Franchisee or any Principal wishes to transfer any ownership interest in Franchisee, transferor and the proposed transferee must apply to Franchisor for its consent. Franchisee agrees to submit to Franchisor all information Franchisor may require in order to determine whether to approve a proposed transfer of the Franchised Business, and Franchisor agrees to notify Franchisee of its approval or disapproval within a reasonable period of time, not to exceed 30 days, after Franchisor has received all requested information relating to any proposed transfer of the Franchised Business. A marketing list, client list or potential client list may be transferred only to a transferee to whom Franchisee's rights and obligations under this Agreement are simultaneously being transferred in accordance with the terms hereof. If Franchisor does not exercise its rights under Section 9.C or Section 9.D, the decision as to whether to approve a proposed transfer shall be made by Franchisor in its sole discretion and shall include numerous factors deemed relevant by Franchisor. These factors may include, but shall not be limited to, the following:

  • (1) Franchisee, its Principals, and its affiliates shall not be in default under this Agreement, or any other agreement with Franchisor or any of its affiliates, and shall have substantially and timely complied with all the terms and conditions of such agreements during their respective terms, including but not limited to having paid all amounts due;
  • (2) Franchisor reserves the right to require Franchisee to prepare and furnish to the proposed transferee and/or Franchisor such financial reports and other data relating to the Franchised Business and the Publication as Franchisor deems reasonably necessary or appropriate for transferee and/or Franchisor to evaluate the Franchised Business, the Publication, and the proposed transfer. Franchisor may review all information regarding the Franchised Business and the Publication that Franchisee provides to the proposed transferee, correct any information that Franchisor believes to be inaccurate, and provide the proposed transferee with copies of any reports that Franchisee has provided to Franchisor or that Franchisor has made regarding the operation of the Franchised Business and/or the Publication. Franchisee Agrees that Franchisor shall have the right to confer with any proposed transferee and to furnish it with information concerning the Franchised Business, the Publication, and/or the proposed transfer without any liability to Franchisee, except for international misstatements made by Franchisor to transferee. Any information furnished by Franchisor to any proposed transferee shall be for the sole purpose of permitting the proposed transferee to evaluate the Franchised Business, the Publication, and/or the proposed transfer and must not be construed in any manner or form whatsoever as claims of success or failure of the Franchised Business, the Publication, and/or the proposed transfer;

  • (3) The transferor and its principals, for themselves and on behalf of their respective guarantors, predecessors, affiliates, shareholders, members, partners, officers, directors, managers, employees, agents, representatives, attorneys, accountants, heirs, executors, administrators, successors, and assigns, if applicable, shall have executed a general release, in a form satisfactory to Franchisor, of any and all claims against Franchisor, Franchisor's predecessors and affiliates, their respective officers, directors, shareholders, partners, managers, members, agents, representatives, independent contractors, servants, employees, attorneys, accountants, guarantors, successors, and assigns, past and present, in their corporate and individual capacities, including, without limitation, claims arising under this Agreement and any other agreement with Franchisor or its affiliates, and under federal, state, or local laws, rules, and regulations or orders;
  • (4) The proposed transferee shall have demonstrated to Franchisor's satisfaction that it meets Franchisor's then-current qualifications, and, at the transferee's expense, transferee and any of its principals and any other personnel required by Franchisor shall complete any training programs then in effect for N2 publication franchisees upon such terms and conditions as Franchisor may require;

Source: Item 22 — CONTRACTS (FDD page 71)

What This Means (2025 FDD)

According to Belocal's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, a franchisee cannot transfer their agreement without the franchisor's prior written consent. Any transfer made in violation of the agreement will be considered a material breach and is void. Transfer includes any issuance, sale, assignment, gift, pledge, mortgage, encumbrance, transfer by bankruptcy, judicial order, merger, consolidation, share exchange, or transfer by law. Changes in ownership or structure are also considered a transfer.

To transfer interest in the Belocal franchise, both the transferor and the proposed transferee must apply to Belocal for consent. The franchisee must provide all information required by Belocal to determine whether to approve the transfer. Belocal will then notify the franchisee of its decision within a reasonable time, not exceeding 30 days, after receiving all the necessary information. The franchisor may review all information regarding the franchised business that the franchisee provides to the proposed transferee, correct any information that Belocal believes to be inaccurate, and provide the proposed transferee with copies of any reports that the franchisee has provided to Belocal or that Belocal has made regarding the operation of the franchised business.

Additionally, the transferor must not be in default under the agreement and must have complied with all terms and conditions, including payment of all amounts due. The transferor and its principals must execute a general release of all claims against Belocal. The proposed transferee must meet Belocal's qualifications and complete any required training programs. The transferee must also enter into a written agreement assuming all obligations of the franchisee under the existing agreement. If the transferee is a corporation, partnership, limited liability company, or other entity, those of transferee's principals who are designated as principals by Franchisor must also execute such agreement and guarantee the performance thereof. The transferee must execute Belocal's current franchise agreement, and pay a transfer fee equal to the then-current initial franchise fee, plus attorney's fees. The transferor remains liable for all obligations incurred before the transfer date and must pay all creditors and suppliers of the franchised business prior to the transfer.

Disclaimer: This information is extracted from the 2025 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.