What rights can Bft Franchisor exercise if the Franchisee defaults on their obligations?
Bft Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
If Franchisee shall be in default in the performance of any of its obligations or breach any term or condition of this Agreement, in addition to Franchisor's right to terminate this Agreement, and without limiting any other rights or remedies to which Franchisor may be entitled at law or in equity, or if Franchisor has issued a notice to Franchisee in exercise of its rights to purchase the Studio under Section 15.3.I above, then, Franchisor may, at its election, immediately or at any time thereafter, and without notice to Franchisee, cure such default on Franchisee's behalf and, in its discretion, either directly or through its designee, enter upon and take possession of the Studio, for a period not to exceed 180 days, and thereafter take, in the name of Franchisee, all other actions necessary to effect the provisions of this Agreement. Franchisee agrees that any such entry or other action shall not be deemed a trespass or other illegal act, and Franchisor shall not be liable in any manner to Franchisee for so doing, and Franchisee shall pay the entire cost thereof to Franchisor on demand, including reasonable compensation to Franchisor for the management of the Studio. If Franchisor exercises its rights under this Section, then Franchisor is not required to use Franchisee's employees and reserves the right to designate its own personnel to manage and operate the Studio.
A. Immediate Termination. Franchisee shall be deemed to be in default and Franchisor may terminate this Agreement and all rights granted hereunder, without affording Franchisee any opportunity to cure the default, effective immediately upon receipt of notice by Franchisee, and such termination shall be for good cause where the grounds for termination are:
(1) Franchisee has made any material misrepresentation or omission in the Application Materials or otherwise in connection with applying for the franchise or in executing or performing under this Agreement or any other agreement between Franchisee and Franchisor or any of Franchisor's affiliates;
(2) Franchisee becomes insolvent by reason of Franchisee's inability to pay debts as they become due, or makes an assignment for the benefit of creditors or makes an admission of Franchisee's inability to pay obligations as they become due;
(3) Franchisee files a petition in bankruptcy, or an involuntary petition in bankruptcy is filed against Franchisee or a receiver is appointed for Franchisee's business, or a final judgment remains unsatisfied or of record for thirty (30) days or longer; or if Franchisee is a corporation, limited liability company or partnership, Franchisee is dissolved;
(4) Franchisee voluntarily or otherwise abandons the Studio.
(12) Franchisee defaults under the lease agreement or otherwise loses the right to possess the premises at the location at which the Studio is located;
(13) Franchisee fails to comply with the covenants not to compete as required in Article 13 herein;
(14) Franchisee permits the offer or sale of products and services other than the Approved Services at the Studio in violation of the terms of this Agreement on two (2) or more occasions in any 24-month period, regardless of whether Franchisee subsequently cured the prior default(s);
B. Termination with Notice.
In addition to the provisions of Section 15.1.A, if Franchisee shall be in default under the terms of this Agreement and the default shall not be cured or remedied (to Franchisor's satisfaction) within thirty (30) days after receipt of written notice from Franchisor (or 10 days' prior notice in the event of a default that is described in Subsections (6), (7) or (8) below), in addition to all other remedies available to Franchisor at law or in equity, Franchisor may immediately terminate this Agreement on written notice to Franchisee.
All rights, privileges and licenses granted by Franchisor to Franchisee shall immediately cease and be null and void and of no further force and effect, and all such rights, privileges and licenses shall immediately revert to Franchisor;
- B.
Franchisee shall cease operating the Studio, and shall immediately, at its own expense, remove and cease using or displaying all signs, obliterate or remove all letterheads, labels or any other item or form of identification that would in any way link or associate Franchisee, its goods and/or services with Franchisor, and shall immediately cease to use, in any manner, the Marks, Confidential Information, System and any other intellectual property of Franchisor or its affiliates;
- C.
Franchisee shall immediately terminate all advertising and promotional efforts and any other act that would in any way indicate that Franchisee is or was ever an authorized BFT Studio franchisee;
- D.
Franchisee shall cancel any assumed name of Franchisee or equivalent registration that contains any Mark, and Franchisee shall furnish Franchisor with evidence satisfactory to Franchisor of compliance with this obligation within five (5) days after termination or expiration of this Agreement;
- E.
Franchisee agrees not to use any reproduction, counterfeit, copy, or colorable imitation of the Marks that is likely to cause confusion, mistake or deception, or that is likely to dilute Franchisor's rights in and to the Marks, and further agrees not to use any trade dress or designation of origin or description or representation that falsely suggests or represents an association or connection with Franchisor;
- F.
Franchisee shall pay all amounts owing to Franchisor and its approved suppliers under this Agreement and otherwise in connection with the Studio.
In the event of termination for any default of Franchisee, such sums shall include all damages, costs and expenses, including reasonable legal fees, incurred by Franchisor as a result of the default;
Source: Item 23 — RECEIPTS (FDD pages 79–265)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Bft's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, if a franchisee defaults on their obligations, Bft has several rights and remedies available, in addition to the right to terminate the agreement. Bft can cure the default on the franchisee's behalf, enter and take possession of the studio for up to 180 days, and take necessary actions in the franchisee's name to enforce the agreement. The franchisee must cover all costs incurred by Bft, including reasonable compensation for managing the studio. Bft is not obligated to use the franchisee's employees and can designate its own personnel to operate the studio.
Bft can terminate the franchise agreement with immediate effect under certain conditions, such as the franchisee making material misrepresentations, becoming insolvent, abandoning the studio, or defaulting under the lease agreement. In other situations, Bft must provide the franchisee with written notice and an opportunity to cure the default within a specified period, typically 30 days, before terminating the agreement. Failure to comply with non-compete covenants or offering unauthorized products and services can also lead to termination.
Upon termination or expiration of the franchise agreement, all rights granted to the franchisee revert to Bft. The franchisee must cease operating the studio, remove all Bft branding, and stop using Bft's intellectual property. They must also terminate all advertising indicating they are a Bft franchisee and cancel any assumed names containing Bft's marks. The franchisee is obligated to pay all amounts owed to Bft and its suppliers, including damages, costs, and legal fees resulting from the default. These terms are fairly standard in franchise agreements, designed to protect the franchisor's brand and system while providing avenues for addressing franchisee non-compliance.
These provisions outline the circumstances under which Bft can terminate the franchise agreement and the obligations of the franchisee upon termination. Prospective franchisees should carefully review these sections to understand their responsibilities and the potential consequences of failing to meet them. Understanding these rights and obligations is crucial for any prospective franchisee to assess the risks and benefits of investing in a Bft franchise.