What are the geographic limitations on an 'Approved Open Territory' for a Bigfoot Forestry franchisee?
Bigfoot_Forestry Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
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 the 2025 Bigfoot Forestry FDD, a franchisee may, with prior approval from Bigfoot Forestry, provide services at job sites located outside of their designated territory but within a geographic area that Bigfoot Forestry approves. This area is referred to as an "Approved Open Territory." However, Bigfoot Forestry retains the right to withhold such approval at its discretion.
Bigfoot Forestry will not approve any area that is already assigned to another Bigfoot Forestry Business or that is not adjacent to, and contiguous with, the franchisee's existing territory. If approval is granted, the franchisee must comply with Bigfoot Forestry's then-current extra-territorial operations policy, if any, as described in the Manual, as well as any other conditions and requirements specified by Bigfoot Forestry.
Bigfoot Forestry also retains the right to revoke its approval at any time, in which case the franchisee must immediately cease all operations within the Approved Open Territory and transfer any projects involving job sites in that territory to Bigfoot Forestry or its designee. While Bigfoot Forestry does not anticipate revoking approval except in unusual circumstances, it may do so if the Approved Open Territory (or a portion thereof) is awarded to another Bigfoot Forestry Business, or if Bigfoot Forestry determines that the franchisee is not operating the Approved Open Territory in accordance with its standards and specifications. This policy ensures that Bigfoot Forestry maintains control over its brand and service quality, while also providing franchisees with limited opportunities for expansion under specific conditions.