According to the Bft franchise agreement, what does 'Soft Opening' mean?
Bft Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
To determine whether a Studio has conducted its Soft Opening for purposes of the Development Schedule, "Soft Opening" means that the respective Studio's doors are open to the general public for participating in regular classes in the physical premises of the Studio.
Source: Item 17 — RENEWAL, TERMINATION, TRANSFER AND DISPUTE RESOLUTION (FDD pages 57–66)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Bft's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, a 'Soft Opening' refers to the period when a Bft studio opens its doors to the general public and begins offering regular classes within the studio's physical location. This definition is used to determine whether a studio has met the requirements of the Development Schedule, particularly for multi-unit developers.
For a prospective Bft franchisee, understanding the 'Soft Opening' definition is crucial because it marks a key milestone in the development schedule. Meeting this milestone triggers certain obligations and deadlines outlined in the franchise agreement. For multi-unit developers, the 'Soft Opening' date of each studio impacts their overall development obligations and the timeline for opening subsequent locations.
Bft's definition of 'Soft Opening' is fairly standard in the franchise industry, where it typically signifies a preliminary opening phase to test operations and gather feedback before a grand opening. Franchisees should pay close attention to how Bft uses this definition in the context of development schedules and performance requirements, as failing to meet these milestones could have consequences under the franchise agreement.