Can I commence construction of my Bonchon Restaurant before Bonchon approves the final plans and specifications in writing?
Bonchon Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
ime, the agreement is deemed disapproved. (Franchise Agreement, Section 6.03)
- (3) Review, and/or cause our designees to review, your final plans and specifications for the Restaurant promptly and approve or provide comments on the plans and specifications to you. Although the Franchise Agreement does not require us to do so, we may have an interior designer/construction manager make visit(s) to your Restaurant Location, and you agree to allow those visits, in order to assist us in determining whether to approve your final plans and specifications. You may not commence construction of the Restaurant until we approve the final plans and specifications in writing. We may provide you with the names of designated or approved suppliers and specifications for some items of the design, construction, furniture, fixtures, equipment and decoration of the Restaurant. While we will provide you with the specifications and names of suppliers for certain equipment, signs, fixtures, opening inventory or supplies to be used in connection with your Restaurant, we do not deliver or install such equipment, signs, fixtures, opening inventory, or supplies. (Franchise Agreement, Sections 6.03, 6.04 and 6.05)
- (4) Specify (if we determine to do so, which we are under no obligation to do) the electronic and/or written accounting and MIS Systems, procedures, formats and reporting requirements which you will use to account for your Business; maintain your financial records and merchandising data; and, generate reports for both you and us. (Franchise Agreement, Section 7.06)
- (5) Lend you a copy of the Confidential Operations Manual and the recipe manual (the "Recipe Manual" and collectively with the Confidential Operations Manual, the "Manuals"), together with any supplements to the Manuals that may impose additional standards for specific Restaurant Concepts ("Supplements to the Manuals"). You must strictly comply with the Manuals in operating your Business. We can change the Manuals (through Supplements to the Manuals), and you must comply with these changes when you receive them, but they will not materially alter your rights and obligations under the Franchise Agreement. (Franchise
Agreement, Section 7.01) If you operate a Remote Kitchen Restaurant, we may require you to comply with certain operating standards that differ from those we impose upon Dine-In, Fast Casual and/or Delivery and Carryout Only Bonchon Restaurants. For example, we may (i) set different hours of operations; and/or (ii) require you to use vendors and/or pay for technologies and services that are not standard for Dine-In, Fast Casual and/or Delivery and Carryout Only Bonchon Restaurants (subject to any restrictions, imposed on you by the lease agreement, occupancy agreement, or other agreement under which you have the right to possess and operate the Bonchon Business at the Remote Kitchen location).
Source: Item 11 — FRANCHISOR'S ASSISTANCE, ADVERTISING, COMPUTER SYSTEMS AND TRAINING (FDD pages 45–60)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Bonchon's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, you cannot begin construction of your Bonchon restaurant until Bonchon provides written approval of the final plans and specifications. Bonchon will review the final plans and specifications for the restaurant and provide comments or approval. Bonchon may also have an interior designer/construction manager visit the restaurant location to assist in determining whether to approve the final plans and specifications.
Bonchon also offers a Bonchon Accelerated Architectural Services Program (BAASP) to qualified franchisees. The goal of BAASP is to help franchisees shorten the construction process by allowing them to commence the construction planning and permitting process while they negotiate the terms of the lease for their Restaurant Location. Once Bonchon approves the site for your Restaurant Location, they will determine your eligibility to participate in BAASP based on the overall project timeline for the construction of your Restaurant and probability that the lease for your Restaurant Location will be executed.
If you are eligible for BAASP, Bonchon will notify you, and you will have 3 business days to confirm if you wish to participate. Once you confirm, Bonchon will schedule an initial call with you and the Bonchon authorized architect (AOR) to begin the design process. Bonchon will provide the AOR with the approved schematic and design documents along with all As-Built files provided by Bonchon's Real Estate Department. The AOR will then start the construction document generation. The AOR will complete the construction documents (architectural, mechanical, electrical, plumbing) plans within 45 days from either the AOR's: (i) receipt of the approved schematic and design documents and As-Built files or (ii) site visit, whichever occurs later. Upon final approval from Bonchon, the AOR will submit the construction documents to the corresponding municipality for a building permit. Once you and the landlord have signed the lease for the Restaurant Location and secured the requisite building and/or construction permit, then you may (upon Bonchon's approval) commence constructing the Restaurant Location.