Does the Bft franchisee have exclusivity within their designated territory?
Bft Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
acceptance of the Authorized Location and Designated Territory, Franchisee must thereafter obtain lawful possession of the Authorized Location by lease, purchase or other method and open its Studio in accordance with the conditions and deadlines set forth in this Agreement.
Franchisor will have the right to modify the boundaries of the Designated Territory if (a) Franchisee relocates its Studio as permitted under this Agreement, or (b) at the time of any request for grant of a successor franchise or proposed Transfer (defined below), the population of the Designated Territory is over 50,000, with said modifications designed to afford Franchisee with a territory that contains a population that is similar to that contained within the original Designated Territory.
- 1.3 Exclusivity for Designated Territory. As long as Franchisee is in compliance with this Agreement and except as described in Section 1.4 below, Franchisor will not operate, or grant a license to a third-party to operate, during the Term, a BFT Studio located within the Designated Territory.
- 1.4 Rights Reserved to Franchisor. For the avoidance of doubt, Franchisor reserves for itself and its affiliates all rights not expressly granted to Franchisee in this Agreement and the right to do all things that Franchisor does not expressly agree in this Agreement not to do, in each case, without regard to proximity to the Studio and without any compensation to Franchisee, and on such terms and conditions as Franchisor deems appropriate. Without limitation, Franchisor and its affiliates may, themselves or through authorized third-parties (and Franchisee is not granted the right to): (a) open and operate, and license third-parties the right to open or operate, other BFT Studios utilizing the Marks and System outside the Designated Territory;
(b) market, offer and sell products and services similar to those offered by BFT Studios (such as private label products that Franchisor may develop and the Pre-Opening Instructor Training (as defined in Section 5.5)) under a different trademark or trademarks at any location, both within or outside the Designated Territory; (c) use the Marks and System, as well as any other marks Franchisor may designate, to distribute Approved Products and/or Approved Services through alternate channels of distribution, including without limitation, via the Internet and other e-commerce channels, catalog sales, direct mail or wholesale, anywhere either within or outside the Designated Territory; (d) acquire, or be acquired by, or merge with, any company, including a company operating or licensing one or more businesses offering products or services similar to those offered by any BFT Studio located within or outside the Designated Territory, and subsequently operate (or license a third-party the right to operate) these businesses and allow them to incorporate certain elements of the System (excluding the Marks and Trade Dress) regardless of location; (e) develop or become associated with and engage in other businesses, including other fitness concepts and systems, and/or award franchises under such other concepts for locations anywhere, including inside and outside of the Designated Territory; (f) use the Marks and System, and license others to use the Marks and System, to engage in any other activities not expressly prohibited by this Agreement; and (g) open and operate, or license third-parties the right to open or operate, BFT Studios at "Non-Traditional Sites" both within and outside the Designated Territory. A "Non-Traditional Site" is any location that is situated within or as part of a larger venue or facility and, as a result, is likely to draw the predominance of its customers from those persons who are using or attending events in the larger venue or facility (for example, "big box" gyms and/or fitness facilities, cruise ships, military bases, shopping malls, airports, sports facilities and stadiums, industrial or office complexes, hotels, train stations and other transportation facilities, travel plazas, casinos, hospitals, theme parks, convention centers, colleges/universities, multi-unit residential properties, and other similar captive market locations).
**2.
Source: Item 23 — RECEIPTS (FDD pages 79–265)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Bft's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, franchisees are granted exclusivity within their designated territory, with some exceptions. As long as the franchisee remains in compliance with the Franchise Agreement, Bft will not operate or grant a license to a third party to operate another Bft studio within the franchisee's designated territory during the term of the agreement. This provides a level of protection for the franchisee's investment and market share. However, this exclusivity is subject to certain conditions and rights reserved by Bft.
Bft retains specific rights that could impact the franchisee's exclusive territory. These include the right to market and sell similar products and services under different trademarks, distribute approved products through alternative channels like the internet or catalogs, and engage in other businesses or fitness concepts, even within the franchisee's designated territory. Bft can also operate or license Bft studios at "Non-Traditional Sites" such as gyms, cruise ships, military bases, shopping malls, airports, and other similar locations, even within the franchisee's territory.
Furthermore, Bft has the right to modify the boundaries of the designated territory under certain circumstances. If the franchisee relocates their studio as permitted by the agreement, or if the population of the designated territory exceeds 50,000 at the time of a request for a successor franchise or transfer, Bft may modify the territory to ensure the franchisee's territory contains a population similar to the original designated territory. This modification ensures that the population size remains consistent with the initial agreement. Therefore, while franchisees are granted a designated territory, the exclusivity is subject to certain exceptions and conditions that could affect their operations.