Under what conditions can Bens Soft Pretzels refuse to approve a proposed relocation?
Bens_Soft_Pretzels Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
You must not lease or sublet all or any part of your business premises to others or use any portion of the premises for any purpose other than conducting business pursuant to your Franchise Agreement without our prior written consent. If you want to relocate, you must notify us in writing 60 days before the relocation. We reserve the right to refuse to approve a proposed relocation if we believe that the proposed relocation is for any reason not acceptable to us. Our judgment may be based on factors such as the proximity to existing or proposed locations owned by other franchisees or us, the suitability of the proposed facilities, compliance with our then current franchise location requirements, the competitiveness within the marketplace or other factors. We recommend that you employ the services of a real estate attorney for legal advice regarding the terms of the lease.
Source: Item 11 — FRANCHISOR'S ASSISTANCE, ADVERTISING, COMPUTER SYSTEMS, AND TRAINING (FDD pages 23–30)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Bens Soft Pretzels' 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, franchisees must notify Bens Soft Pretzels in writing 60 days before relocating their store. Bens Soft Pretzels reserves the right to refuse approval if they find the proposed relocation unacceptable for any reason.
Bens Soft Pretzels' judgment to refuse a relocation request may be based on several factors. These include the proximity of the proposed location to existing or planned locations of other franchisees or the company itself, the suitability of the proposed facilities, and whether the new location meets the then-current franchise location requirements.
Additional factors that Bens Soft Pretzels may consider are the competitiveness of the marketplace, and other factors they deem relevant. For prospective franchisees, this means that relocation approval is not guaranteed and depends heavily on Bens Soft Pretzels' assessment of the new site's potential impact on the brand and existing franchise network. It is advisable to consult with a real estate attorney regarding lease terms, as recommended by Bens Soft Pretzels.