What is the 'Opening Deadline' for a Bft studio's soft opening, and what happens if it's missed?
Bft Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
r the Guarantee, Indemnification, and Acknowledgment attached as Exhibit 3 hereto (a "Guarantee"). Any person or entity that at any time after the Effective Date becomes an Owner, pursuant to Section 14 or otherwise, shall, as a condition of becoming an Owner, execute and deliver, and require its spouse (if applicable) to execute and deliver, to Franchisor its then-current form of Guarantee;
- C. Franchisee shall submit the proposed lease for the Authorized Location to Franchisor for its written acceptance before Franchisee executes the lease. The lease must contain the provisions outlined
in Franchisor's then-current form of lease addendum, the current form of which is attached as Exhibit 4, or substantially similar provisions acceptable to Franchisor ("Lease Addendum");
- D. Subject to Applicable Laws (defined below), Franchisee must execute a written premises lease agreement accepted by Franchisor for the Authorized Location no later than six (6) months after the execution of this Agreement (the "Lease Execution Deadline"), and Franchisee must, with Franchisor's written approval, open the Studio's doors to the general public for participation in regular classes in the physical premises of the Studio (the "Soft Opening") no later than fifteen (15) months after the execution of this Agreement (the "Opening Deadline"); and
- E.
Source: Item 23 — RECEIPTS (FDD pages 79–265)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Bft's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, a franchisee must open their studio's doors to the general public for regular classes, which is referred to as the 'Soft Opening', no later than fifteen months after the execution of the Franchise Agreement. This deadline is referred to as the 'Opening Deadline'.
The FDD states that if individuals required to complete the Owner/Operator Module, the Designated Manager Training Program, and the Pre-Opening Instructor Training do not successfully complete the applicable training before the studio's soft opening, Bft has the right to terminate the Franchise Agreement. This underscores the importance of ensuring all training requirements are met well in advance of the opening date.
Furthermore, if a Bft franchisee permits approved services to be provided by any individual who has not completed the Pre-Opening Instructor Training, Bft may terminate the Franchise Agreement. Additionally, if the franchisee fails to comply with any material obligation under the agreement, Bft reserves the right to charge a non-compliance fee. These stipulations highlight the critical need for franchisees to adhere strictly to Bft's training and operational standards to avoid potential penalties or termination of the agreement.