Does a Bft franchisee receive an exclusive territory?
Bft Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
upgrades or updates, and any such obligations would be those of the software licensors.
ITEM 12 TERRITORY
Franchise Agreement
Authorized Location
You will not receive an exclusive territory. You may face competition from other franchisees, from outlets that we own, or from other channels of distribution or competitive brands that we control.
You will operate your Studio at the Authorized Location. Once you have identified your Authorized Location and we accept the proposed site, we will designate the Designated Territory around the Authorized Location within which you will have certain protected rights.
You will not be permitted to relocate your Studio without our prior written approval, which may be withheld in our discretion. You will be assessed a relocation fee of $5,000 at the time you submit the proposed location for your relocated Studio. Generally, we do not approve requests to relocate your Studio after a site selection has been made and you have opened for business unless (a) it is due to extreme or unusual events beyond your control, and (b) you are not in default of your Franchise Agreement. If we approve your relocation request, we retain the right
to approve your new site location in the same manner and under the same terms that are applied to your first site selection.
Source: Item 12 — TERRITORY (FDD pages 50–54)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Bft's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, franchisees do not receive an exclusive territory. The FDD states that a franchisee "may face competition from other franchisees, from outlets that we own, or from other channels of distribution or competitive brands that we control." However, Bft does grant a "Designated Territory" around the Authorized Location of the studio, within which the franchisee has certain protected rights.
The Designated Territory will generally be an area with a population of at least 15,000 people, as determined by the U.S. Census Bureau or other sources. The size and shape of the Designated Territory can vary based on the location and demographics surrounding the studio. The boundaries of the territory may be defined using zip codes, streets, landmarks, or county lines.
As long as the franchisee is in compliance with the Franchise Agreement, Bft will not operate or license a third party to operate a studio within the Designated Territory during the term of the agreement, subject to certain reserved rights. However, Bft retains the right to market and sell products and services through alternative channels of distribution, including the internet, even within the franchisee's Designated Territory. Bft also reserves the right to establish and operate other studios outside of the Designated Territory and to use different trademarks for similar products and services.