Is participation in the Bft Opening Support Program mandatory?
Bft Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
Your Pre-Sales Phase and Opening Support Program must commence once your real estate lease is signed. The Opening Support Program is provided by our third-party Approved Supplier and is currently overseen by our internal marketing and sales departments. Participation in the Opening Support Program is mandatory, and we may require you to spend certain amounts on services or content that is supplied by one (1) or more of our Approved Supplier(s). The Initial Marketing Requirement will not count towards your Local Advertising Requirement and is not subject to the Marketing Expenditure Cap.
Source: Item 11 — FRANCHISOR'S ASSISTANCE, ADVERTISING, COMPUTER SYSTEMS AND TRAINING (FDD pages 37–50)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Bft's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, participation in the Opening Support Program is mandatory for franchisees. This program is provided by a third-party Approved Supplier and overseen by Bft's internal marketing and sales departments.
As part of the initial marketing requirement, franchisees must spend a minimum of $15,000 on pre-opening sales activities and other initial launch promotional activities to increase the visibility of their studio within their designated territory. These funds may be required to be spent on products or services from an Approved Supplier designated or approved by Bft. All materials used in connection with the grand opening campaign must be approved by Bft if not previously designated for use.
The FDD specifies that the Pre-Sales Phase and Opening Support Program must commence once the real estate lease is signed. Bft may also require franchisees to spend certain amounts on services or content supplied by one or more of their Approved Suppliers. It is important to note that the Initial Marketing Requirement will not count towards the Local Advertising Requirement and is not subject to the Marketing Expenditure Cap.