Can a Bhc franchisee commence leasehold improvement before receiving written consent from the franchisor on the final plans?
Bhc Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
The architect must submit a complete set of final plans and specifications to Franchisor before commencing leasehold improvement of the Franchised BHC Restaurant.
Franchisor will review these plans and specifications promptly and accept them as stated or provide Franchisee with Franchisor's comments on the plans and specifications.
Franchisor will have complete and uncontested control over the design of the Franchised BHC Restaurant and Franchisee may not modify the design or choose third party designers without Franchisor's express written consent.
Franchisee may not commence leasehold improvement of the Franchised BHC Restaurant until Franchisor consents in writing to the final plans, specifications, and contractors to be used in constructing the Franchised BHC Restaurant.
Source: Item 23 — Receipts (FDD pages 52–230)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Bhc's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, a franchisee is not allowed to start leasehold improvements on their restaurant until they have received written consent from Bhc regarding the final plans and specifications. Before commencing any work, the franchisee's architect must submit a complete set of final plans to Bhc for review. Bhc will then either accept the plans or provide comments and required changes to the franchisee.
Bhc maintains complete control over the design of the franchised restaurant. Franchisees are prohibited from modifying the design or hiring third-party designers without explicit written consent from Bhc. This ensures that all Bhc restaurants adhere to the brand's standards and specifications.
This requirement protects Bhc's brand consistency and ensures that each location meets the franchisor's standards before opening. For a prospective franchisee, this means they must factor in the time required for plan submission, review, and approval into their project timeline to avoid delays. Failure to comply with these requirements could result in a breach of the franchise agreement.