What is the minimum notice period required to acquire a successor term for a Bft franchise?
Bft Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
However, with respect to franchises governed by Minnesota law, Franchisor will comply with Minn. Stat. Sec. 80C.14, Subds. 3, 4 and 5 which require, except in certain specified cases, that Franchisee be given 90 days' notice of termination (with 60 days to cure) and 180 days' notice of non-renewal of this Agreement.
Source: Item 17 — RENEWAL, TERMINATION, TRANSFER AND DISPUTE RESOLUTION (FDD pages 57–66)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to the 2025 Bft Franchise Disclosure Document, the notice period for non-renewal of a franchise agreement is dependent on the state where the franchise operates. For Bft franchises governed by Minnesota law, the franchisee must be given 180 days' notice of non-renewal, except in certain specified cases.
This means that if a Bft franchisee in Minnesota wants to renew their franchise agreement, they should be aware that Bft is required to provide them with a written notice at least 180 days before the expiration of the current term if Bft decides not to renew the agreement. This gives the franchisee time to prepare for the end of the franchise, explore other options, or potentially negotiate with Bft.
It is important to note that the 180-day notice period applies specifically to Minnesota franchises and may not be the same in other states. The FDD mentions that other states may have their own regulations regarding franchise termination and non-renewal. Therefore, prospective Bft franchisees should carefully review the specific laws and regulations in their state to understand the applicable notice periods and other requirements for franchise renewal and termination.