For how long after the termination of the Bft agreement is a franchisee prohibited from soliciting business from customers of their former Bft studio?
Bft Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
- B. After the Term of this Agreement. Franchisee agrees that, for two (2) years after the expiration or termination (by Franchisor or by Franchisee for any reason) of this Agreement or after Franchisee has assigned its interest in this Agreement, neither Franchisee nor any other Restricted Party, will (i) solicit business from customers of Franchisee's former Studio or any other BFT Studio, or (ii) contact any of Franchisor's suppliers or vendors for any competitive business purpose.
Source: Item 23 — RECEIPTS (FDD pages 79–265)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Bft's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, a franchisee is restricted from soliciting business from customers of their former Bft studio for a period of two years after the termination or expiration of the Franchise Agreement. This restriction applies regardless of whether the termination is initiated by Bft or the franchisee, and it also applies if the franchisee has assigned their interest in the agreement.
This non-solicitation covenant means that after leaving the Bft system, a former franchisee cannot actively seek out or attempt to attract customers who were previously clients of their Bft studio or any other Bft studio. This prevents the franchisee from leveraging the goodwill and customer relationships built during their time with Bft to immediately start a competing business using Bft's customer base.
Such restrictions are common in franchising to protect the brand's customer relationships and prevent unfair competition from former franchisees. The two-year period is designed to give Bft sufficient time to re-establish the customer relationships in the territory and protect its business interests. Franchisees should be aware of this restriction and factor it into their plans if they consider exiting the Bft system.