What is a Bojangles franchisee required to do if they develop any new concepts, processes or improvements relating to the Bojangles system?
Bojangles Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
If Franchisee develops any new concepts, processes or improvements relating to the System, whether or not pursuant to a Franchisor authorized test, Franchisee promptly shall notify Franchisor and provide Franchisor with all information regarding the new concept, process or improvement, all of which shall become the property of Franchisor and its affiliates and which may be incorporated into the System without any payment to Franchisee.
Franchisee, at its
expense, promptly shall take all actions deemed necessary or desirable by Franchisor to vest in Franchisor all ownership of such concepts, processes or improvements. Franchisee shall not implement any new concept, process or improvement in the Restaurant without Franchisor's prior written approval. Testing of any new concept, process or improvement must be conducted under specified "test parameters" that may govern among other things the duration of the test and validation of results as set forth by Franchisor. Any testing of a new product, process or improvement must be deemed safe by Franchisor prior to implementation.
Source: Item 23 — RECEIPTS (FDD pages 82–573)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to the 2025 Bojangles Franchise Disclosure Document, if a franchisee develops any new concepts, processes, or improvements related to the Bojangles system, they must promptly notify Bojangles. This includes providing all information regarding the new concept, process, or improvement.
The FDD stipulates that any such developments, whether or not they arise from a Bojangles-authorized test, become the property of Bojangles and its affiliates. Bojangles can incorporate these developments into the system without providing any payment or compensation to the franchisee who originated them.
Furthermore, the franchisee is obligated to take all actions deemed necessary by Bojangles, at the franchisee's own expense, to ensure that Bojangles owns all rights to these new concepts, processes, or improvements. The franchisee cannot implement any new concept, process, or improvement in the restaurant without first obtaining Bojangles's written approval. Any testing of new elements must adhere to test parameters set by Bojangles, which may include the duration of the test and validation of results. Bojangles must also deem any new product, process, or improvement safe before it can be implemented.