Who bears the expense of employing architects, designers, and engineers to complete the plans for the Bhc Restaurant?

According to Bhc's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, the franchisee is responsible for covering the costs of hiring architects, designers, and engineers to finalize the restaurant's plans. Specifically, the franchisee must employ these professionals, who must be reasonably acceptable to Bhc, to complete, adapt, modify, or substitute the sample plans and specifications for the franchised Bhc Restaurant. This also includes the review and monitoring of all licensing related matters.

This means that prospective Bhc franchisees need to budget for these professional services in addition to the standard franchise fees and build-out costs. It's a significant expense, as architectural and engineering services can be quite costly. The franchisee has sole responsibility for acquiring all necessary permits and licenses, including those related to structural reinforcement, grease interceptors, and parking.

Bhc maintains control over the restaurant's design, requiring franchisees to use licensed general contractors, designers, vendors, and architects that Bhc accepts. While Bhc provides a sample prototype layout and floor plan, the franchisee is responsible for adapting these to the specific site, ensuring compliance with local regulations, and obtaining Bhc's final approval. Franchisees must also pay Bhc a $2,500 site design review fee and a site review fee ranging from $2,000 to $4,000.

Therefore, while Bhc offers initial plans and reviews the franchisee's adaptations, the financial burden of customizing the plans and ensuring they meet all requirements falls squarely on the franchisee. This is a common practice in franchising, where franchisees typically bear the costs of adapting the franchisor's standard design to their specific location.