What is an 'Approved Open Territory' for a Bigfoot Forestry franchise, and how is it approved?
Bigfoot_Forestry Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
"Approved Open Territory" means any geographic area located outside your Territory that we approve for you to operate and service in accordance with §3.2.
**3.2.
Extraterritorial Operations.** You may not operate your Business or provide Bigfoot Forestry Services outside of your Territory except as otherwise permitted by this Section.
With our prior approval, which we may withhold in our sole discretion, you may provide Bigfoot Forestry Services at job sites located outside your Territory but within a geographic area we approve (an "Approved Open Territory").
Under no circumstances will we approve an area that: (a) is assigned to another Bigfoot Forestry Business; or (b) is not adjacent to, and contiguous with, your Territory.
If we grant our approval, you may provide Bigfoot Forestry Services at job sites located in the Approved Open Territory but only in compliance with: (a) our then-current extra-territorial operations policy, if any, described in the Manual; and (b) all other conditions and requirements that we specify.
We may revoke our approval at any time, in which case you must immediately discontinue all operations within the Approved Open Territory and transfer to us or our designee any projects involving job sites located in the Approved Open Territory.
Except in unusual circumstances, we do not anticipate revoking our approval unless: (a) we award the Approved Open Territory (or a portion thereof) to another Bigfoot Forestry Business; or (b) we determine, in our sole discretion, that you are not operating the Approved Open Territory in accordance with our standards and specifications.
Source: Item 23 — RECEIPT (FDD pages 42–162)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Bigfoot Forestry's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, an 'Approved Open Territory' refers to a geographic area outside of a franchisee's designated territory where they are permitted to operate and provide services. This expansion is not automatic; it requires prior approval from Bigfoot Forestry.
The franchisor has the discretion to withhold this approval. There are specific conditions that Bigfoot Forestry considers. The area cannot already be assigned to another Bigfoot Forestry business, and it must be adjacent to and contiguous with the franchisee's existing territory.
If approval is granted, the franchisee must adhere to Bigfoot Forestry's extra-territorial operations policy, as outlined in the manual, and any other conditions specified by the franchisor. It's important to note that Bigfoot Forestry retains the right to revoke this approval at any time, requiring the franchisee to immediately cease operations in the Approved Open Territory and transfer any ongoing projects to the franchisor or their designee. The franchisor does not anticipate revoking approval unless the territory is awarded to another franchisee or the franchisee fails to meet operational standards.