factual

What rights are granted to the Master Franchisee under the Bhc Master Franchise Agreement (MFA)?

Bhc Franchise · 2025 FDD

Answer from 2025 FDD Document

Under the MFA, you will be granted the right and license: (i) to grant subfranchises for the establishment and operation of BHC Restaurants, as defined below, within the Development Area ("Development Rights") to third party subfranchisees that meet our requirements ("Subfranchisees") by entering into Subfranchise Agreements (as defined below) ("Subfranchised BHC Restaurants"); and (ii) to directly own and operate through an affiliate of the Master Franchisee ("Affiliate Franchisee") ("Affiliate Franchised BHC Restaurants") within the Development Area once opened, and to support, and receive fees from, as applicable, all Master Franchised BHC Restaurants within the Development Area once opened ("Operating Rights").

"BHC Restaurant(s)" means a single retail dine-in, carry-out, drive-thru, and delivery restaurant, serving classic Korean flavor fried chicken (e.g., Korean cheese seasoning, Korean soy sauce, sweet & spicy sauce), sandwiches, wraps, Korean cuisines and other beverages, food, and related merchandise, products, and accessories, using designated concepts, designs, recipes, authorized equipment, and techniques.

"BHC Products" mean any product or service we authorize to be provided at BHC Restaurants under the System, as we may amend from time to time, with the understanding that any such products and services, including pre-packaged or ready-to-drink products and/or related merchandise or services, may only be offered to Affiliate Franchisees and Subfranchisees located within the Development Area, and not through any other distribution channels.

"Master Franchised BHC Restaurants" means Affiliate Franchised BHC Restaurants and Subfranchised BHC Restaurants opened and operated by Affiliate Franchisee or Subfranchisee respectively pursuant the Master Franchisee's Development Rights and Operating Rights.

You will be granted the right to use the "BHC CHICKEN" mark and "BHC" name, as well as such other trademarks, service marks, tradenames logos, designs and identifying slogans, whether registered or not registered, that we specifically designate, in the MFA or otherwise in writing, for use by Master Franchisee from time to time (collectively, the "Trademarks"). In addition, under the MFA, you will be granted the right to use the System and our "IP Rights" in accordance with our manuals and other requirements for the operation of Master Franchise Businesses.

The "System" is characterized by a distinctive layout, service style, design, signs, décor, furnishings, recipes, procedures, and techniques that is an unique system for the sourcing, distribution, offer and sale of Korea style fried chicken and sandwich, beverage products, other foods, certain complementary products, accessories, and services under the Trademarks, which includes operating and service procedures, management practices, techniques, methods, knowledge, expertise, skill and proprietary information relating to the operation of a food and beverage business, layout and other systems and procedures in relation to the Master Franchise Business and the operation of BHC Restaurants, as well as any amendments, and improvements we or our affiliates make to such System or any of the foregoing from time to time.

You will be required to conduct an approval process, including a background check, to confirm that each potential subfranchisee and each potential BHC Restaurant meet all of our then current minimum requirements for new subfranchisees and new BHC Restaurants, as the same may be amended, replaced or supplemented by us from time to time. We also have the right, upon written notice to you, at our sole discretion, to approve or disapprove any or all potential subfranchisees and potential BHC Restaurants. You may not directly operate any BHC Restaurant under the MFA, but may only do so through an affiliate that enters into a Franchise Agreement with BHC. A "Affiliate Franchised BHC Restaurant" means a BHC Restaurant that is or will be established and operated by an affiliate of the Master Franchisee, and a "Subfranchised BHC Restaurant" means a BHC Restaurant that is or will be established and operated by a Subfranchisee that is a third party and not your affiliate.

In order to maintain your Development Rights under the MFA, you must establish and operate the cumulative number of Master Franchised BHC Restaurants (including Affiliate Franchised BHC Restaurants and Subfranchised BHC Restaurants) in the Development Area by the dates specified in the applicable development schedule, as further described in Item 12. In addition, you must establish and operate at least one (1) Affiliate Franchised BHC Restaurant within the Development Area pursuant to a separate then-current Franchise Agreement before you may grant subfranchises to third parties for the establishment and operation of Subfranchised BHC Restaurants within the Development Area.

You are responsible for preparing and seeking our prior written approval of the form subfranchise agreement ("Subfranchise Agreement") and any other form agreements, including an area development agreement or lease addendum (collectively, "Other Agreements"), you intend to use with your prospective subfranchisees or Subfranchisees. In addition, once we have approved a form Subfranchise Agreement or Other Agreement, you may not modify the terms of such form documents without submitting to and receiving our prior written approval. Your form Subfranchise Agreement and Other Agreements must include terms and conditions consistent with your MFA and as we prescribed from time to time, including the maximum size of the territory granted under any Subfranchise Agreement or Other Agreement.

Source: Item 1 — The Franchisor, And Any Parents, Predecessors, And Affiliates (FDD pages 7–10)

What This Means (2025 FDD)

According to Bhc's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, the Master Franchise Agreement (MFA) grants the master franchisee two primary rights: Development Rights and Operating Rights. Development Rights allow the master franchisee to grant subfranchises to third parties who meet Bhc's requirements, enabling them to establish and operate Bhc restaurants within the designated Development Area. These subfranchisees must enter into Subfranchise Agreements. Operating Rights enable the master franchisee to directly own and operate Bhc restaurants through an affiliate within the Development Area. The master franchisee is also entitled to support and receive fees from all master franchised Bhc restaurants within their territory. Master franchised Bhc restaurants include both affiliate-owned and subfranchised locations.

Additionally, the master franchisee is granted the right to use Bhc's trademarks, including the "BHC CHICKEN" mark and "BHC" name, along with other designated trademarks, service marks, tradenames, logos, designs, and identifying slogans. They also have the right to use Bhc's System and IP Rights, following the guidelines provided in Bhc's manuals and other operational requirements. The System encompasses a distinctive layout, service style, design, signs, décor, furnishings, recipes, procedures, and techniques for sourcing, distributing, offering, and selling Korean-style fried chicken, sandwiches, beverages, and related products under the Bhc trademarks.

However, the master franchisee must adhere to certain conditions to maintain these rights. They are required to conduct a thorough approval process, including background checks, to ensure that potential subfranchisees and restaurant locations meet Bhc's minimum standards. Bhc retains the right to approve or disapprove any potential subfranchisee or restaurant. The master franchisee cannot directly operate a Bhc restaurant but must do so through an affiliate that enters into a separate Franchise Agreement with Bhc. To maintain Development Rights, the master franchisee must establish and operate a specified number of master franchised restaurants within the Development Area by the dates outlined in the development schedule. They must also establish and operate at least one affiliate-owned Bhc restaurant before granting subfranchises to third parties. The master franchisee is responsible for creating a Subfranchise Agreement and other related agreements, which require Bhc's prior written approval and must align with the terms of the MFA.

Disclaimer: This information is extracted from the 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document and is provided for research purposes only. It does not constitute legal or financial advice. Consult with a franchise attorney before making any investment decisions.