What information must a Belocal franchisee submit to the franchisor when requesting a transfer?
Belocal Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer 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.
Source: Item 22 — CONTRACTS (FDD page 71)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Belocal's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, a franchisee seeking to transfer their interest in the franchised business must apply to Belocal for consent and submit all information Belocal requires to determine whether to approve the proposed transfer. Belocal will then notify the franchisee of its decision within a reasonable time frame, not exceeding 30 days, after receiving all the necessary information.
Belocal may require the franchisee to prepare and furnish financial reports and other data relating to the franchised business and its publication to both the proposed transferee and Belocal itself. This allows both parties to properly evaluate the business and the proposed transfer. Belocal also has the right to review all information the franchisee provides to the potential transferee, correct any inaccuracies, and provide the transferee with copies of reports related to the business's operation and/or publication.
Furthermore, Belocal is allowed to communicate directly with any proposed transferee and provide them with information about the franchised business, its publication, and the proposed transfer, without incurring liability to the franchisee, except in cases of intentional misstatements. Any information provided by Belocal to the transferee is solely for evaluating the business and the transfer, and should not be interpreted as claims of success or failure. The franchisee must also obtain any required consent to the collection, use, storage, processing, and sharing of Personal Information from all parties from which it is required to obtain consent under the Privacy Laws or Data Protection and Security Policies. Franchisee shall retain copies of all such consents and store them and share them with Franchisor in the manner Franchisor requires.