What does the Bhc franchisor provide to the franchisee regarding the restaurant layout?
Bhc Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
ew and consent to any location of the Franchised BHC Restaurant. Franchisor uses available demographic information to evaluate the site and the area in which it is located, and analyze area income figures, traffic patterns, visibility, population density, competition, zoning, parking, accessibility, and other related, relevant circumstances. Franchisor's final review and consent to the location of Franchisee's Franchised BHC Restaurant is not a guarantee that a BHC business can be successfully operated there or anywhere else.
- (d) Franchisor will provide Franchisee with a sample prototype layout for the Franchised BHC Restaurant. Franchisor will provide Franchisee a floor plan. Franchisee must pay Franchisor for all costs and expenses that Franchisor incurs in providing the site design review fee of $2,500 ("Site Design Review Fee") and a separate site review fee of $2,000 to $4,000 ("Site Review Fee"). At Franchisee's sole expense, Franchisee must employ directly architects, designers, engineers, or others as reasonably acceptable to Franchisor to complete, adapt, modify, or substitute the sample plans and specifications for the Franchised BHC Restaurant, and review and monitor all licensing related matters. Developer shall be solely responsible for acquiring all of the necessary permits and licenses, including but not limited to permits related to structural reinforcement, grease interceptors, and parking. 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. Franchisor will consult with Franchisee, to the extent Franchisor deems necessary, on the leasehold improvement and equipping of the Franchised BHC Restaurant (and Franchisor may require the Franchised BHC Restaurant to have a certain color scheme and decorative trade dress), but it is and will remain Franchisee's sole responsibility to diligently construct, equip and otherwise make ready, and then open 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, Bhc will provide the franchisee with a sample prototype layout and a floor plan for the franchised restaurant. However, the franchisee is responsible for employing architects, designers, and engineers acceptable to Bhc to adapt or modify these plans at their own expense. The franchisee is also responsible for all licensing matters. Before starting any leasehold improvements, the architect must submit the final plans to Bhc for review and approval. Bhc will review the plans and either accept them or provide comments.
Bhc maintains complete control over the restaurant's design, and the franchisee cannot make changes or hire third-party designers without written consent from Bhc. While Bhc may consult with the franchisee on leasehold improvements and equipping the restaurant, it remains the franchisee's sole responsibility to complete these tasks and open the restaurant. The franchisee is also responsible for obtaining all necessary zoning classifications, permits, and clearances.
Prospective Bhc franchisees should note that while Bhc provides initial layout assistance, the franchisee bears the ultimate responsibility for adapting the plans, securing approvals, and managing the build-out process. This includes covering the costs of design reviews, site reviews ($2,000 to $4,000), and professional services. Franchisees must also use licensed contractors, designers, vendors, and architects approved by Bhc. Bhc also requires franchisees to maintain and periodically refurbish the restaurant to conform to the current building design, trade dress, and color schemes, which may involve significant expenditures on structural changes, new equipment, and remodeling.