What section of the Bens Soft Pretzels Franchise Agreement addresses the death or disability of the franchisee?
Bens_Soft_Pretzels Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
| Provision | Section in Agreement | Summary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| o. | Franchisor’s option to purchase franchisee’s business | Section 14B | Option to purchase some or all equipment, supplies, inventory, advertising materials and any items with our logo, for cash at fair market value, exercisable up to 90 days after termination or expiration. If no agreement on fair market value, an appraiser appointed by us will decide. |
| p. | Death or disability of franchisee | Section 11E | You must assign franchise to an approved buyer within 180 days. All transfer provisions of section 8 of the franchise agreement apply. |
Source: Item 19 — FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE REPRESENTATIONS (FDD pages 37–42)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to the 2025 Bens Soft Pretzels Franchise Disclosure Document, Section 11E of the franchise agreement addresses the death or disability of a franchisee. In the event of death or disability, the franchisee (or their estate) is required to assign the franchise to an approved buyer within 180 days.
This stipulation ensures that the Bens Soft Pretzels franchise continues to operate under an approved owner, maintaining brand standards and operational consistency. The requirement to assign the franchise within 180 days provides a defined timeframe for the transfer process, which can be crucial for the stability of the business and the network.
Furthermore, all transfer provisions outlined in Section 8 of the franchise agreement apply to this assignment. This means that the potential buyer must meet the franchisor's approval criteria, and the transfer process will follow the standard procedures for franchise transfers, ensuring a smooth transition and adherence to Bens Soft Pretzels's established guidelines.