What constitutes 'duplication' of the Bft system that is contrary to the provisions of the agreement?
Bft Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
equity: Member contribution 48,542 Advances to Member, net (Note 7) (155,034 ) Retained earnings (accumulated deficit) 145,633 Total member's equity 39,141 Total liabilities and member's equity $ 150,390# BFT® FRANCHISE AGREEMENT
This Franchise Agreement (this "Agreement") is made effective as of the Effective Date by and between BFT FRANCHISE SPV, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company with its principal business address at 17877 Von Karman Ave., Suite 100 Irvine, CA 92614 ("Franchisor"), and the person or entity identified as the "Franchisee" in the signature blocks below ("Franchisee," and together with Franchisor, the "Parties"). The Effective Date is the date Franchisor signs this Agreement as shown beneath its signature hereto.
RECITALS
Franchisor owns, administers and grants franchises for a system of fitness studios that (a) offer and sell specialized instruction and related services ("Approved Services") and merchandise and other products ("Approved Products"), (b) are currently identified by the trademark "BFT" and related designs and use other related trademarks and service marks designated from time to time by Franchisor (the "Marks"), (c) reflect distinctive interior design and display procedures, and color scheme and décor (the "Trade Dress"), and (d) operate using a designated "System" which includes the Marks, Trade Dress and certain of Franchisor's other intellectual property including trade secrets, copyrights, confidential and proprietary information, and designated training and exercise methods and know-how, fitness equipment, furniture and fixtures, marketing, advertising and sales promotions, cost controls, accounting and reporting procedures, and personnel management systems (each, a "BFT Studio" and collectively, the "BFT Studios").
Franchisee has requested that Franchisor grant it a franchise to own and operate a BFT Studio and, to support its request, has provided Franchisor with certain information about its experience, skills and resources (the "Application Materials"). Franchisee has independently investigated the business contemplated by this Agreement and recognizes that the nature of the business may change over time.
Franchisor is willing to grant Franchisee's request on the terms and conditions contained in this Agreement.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of and reliance on the foregoing Recitals (which are incorporated herein by reference), the agreements described below, and other valuable consideration, receipt and sufficiency of which are acknowledged, the Parties agree as follows:
1. GRANT OF FRANCHISE
1.1 Grant. Franchisee agrees to, at all times, faithfully, honestly, ethically, and diligently perform its obligations under this Agreement and to use its best efforts to promote its BFT Studio (the "Studio") as described herein. Accordingly, Franchisor grants to Franchisee the non-exclusive right and license to establish and operate a single Studio, offering only the Approved Services and Approved Products and utilizing only the System and the Marks, at the location identified on Exhibit 1 or as determined in accordance with Section 1.2 below (the "Authorized Location"), in accordance with the provisions and for the Term (defined below) specified in this Agreement:
Franchisee agrees not to conduct the business of its Studio at any location other than the Authorized Location and to use the Authorized Location only for the operation of its Studio. Franchisee also agrees that, once its Studio opens for business, it will continuously operate the Studio in accordance with this Agreement for the duration of the Term.
1.2 Site Approval Process. If the Authorized Location is not identified on Exhibit 1 when Franchisee signs this Agreement, Franchisee must search for acceptable locations for the Studio within the area
identified on Exhibit 1 (the "Designated Market Area") and secure Franchisor's acceptance of the proposed location within 90 days after the Effective Date (the "Site Acceptance Period"). The Designated Market Area has been identified for the sole purpose of facilitating the orderly development of the market, and not for purposes of granting Franchisee any exclusivity or protection within the Designated Market Area. Franchisee acknowledges and agrees that Franchisor does not guarantee that Franchisee will find an acceptable site within the Designated Market Area or during the Site Acceptance Period.
Source: Item 23 — RECEIPTS (FDD pages 79–265)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to the 2025 Bft Franchise Disclosure Document, the franchise agreement grants franchisees the right to operate a single Bft studio, offering approved services and products, and utilizing the Bft system and marks at an authorized location. The agreement specifies that franchisees must not conduct business at any location other than the authorized one and must continuously operate the studio according to the agreement's terms.
The FDD outlines that Bft's system includes the brand's trademarks, trade dress, and intellectual property such as trade secrets, copyrights, confidential information, training methods, equipment, marketing strategies, and operational procedures. Therefore, duplication would involve using these elements without authorization.
However, the agreement also states some exceptions where Bft may engage in activities that might seem competitive. Bft retains the right to market similar products/services under different trademarks, use the Bft marks and system through alternate distribution channels like the internet, acquire or merge with companies that offer similar services (allowing them to incorporate elements of the Bft system, excluding the marks and trade dress), develop other fitness concepts, and operate Bft studios at non-traditional sites. These activities do not constitute a breach of the agreement, as Bft retains these rights. A franchisee should seek clarification from Bft regarding specific activities that might be considered an infringement or duplication of the Bft system, especially concerning the use of proprietary information and operational methods.