If a Bft franchisee develops a new concept related to Bft Studios, who owns it?
Bft Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
Franchisee agrees that any new concept, process or improvement in the operation or promotion of the Studio developed by or on behalf of Franchisee that relates to or enhances BFT Studios or the System, or any aspect of Franchisor's business, shall be the sole property of Franchisor, and Franchisee shall promptly notify Franchisor and shall provide Franchisor with all necessary information and execute all necessary documents to memorialize said ownership, or, if necessary, Franchisee's assignment of such ownership to Franchisor, without compensation.
Franchisee acknowledges that Franchisor may utilize or disclose such information to other Franchisees.
Source: Item 23 — RECEIPTS (FDD pages 79–265)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Bft's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, any new concept, process, or improvement related to Bft Studios or its system that is developed by a franchisee becomes the sole property of Bft. This includes any enhancement to Bft Studios, the system, or any aspect of Bft's business.
As a Bft franchisee, you are obligated to promptly inform Bft of any such developments. Furthermore, you must provide all necessary information and execute any documents required to formalize Bft's ownership of the new concept. This may include assigning ownership to Bft, and this transfer of ownership occurs without any compensation to the franchisee.
This clause ensures that Bft maintains control over innovations and improvements within its franchise system. Bft may then use or share this information with other franchisees. This is a fairly standard practice in franchising, as it allows the franchisor to maintain consistency and protect its brand by incorporating successful innovations across the entire system. However, it's important for prospective franchisees to understand that they will not own or be compensated for any concepts they develop that enhance the Bft system.