What are some examples of defaults that a Bonchon franchisee might commit under the franchise agreement?
Bonchon Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
pal of you) purport to transfer any rights or obligations under this Agreement, any interest in you or any of the Bonchon Businesses to any third party in violation of the terms of this Agreement.
-
- You do not comply with the covenant not to compete during the term of this Agreement; violate the restrictions pertaining to the use of Confidential Information contained in this Agreement; or, do not obtain the execution of the additional covenants required in Article 11 of this Agreement.
-
- You, your Area Manager and all others required to do so fail to attend or successfully complete our Initial Training Program.
-
- You knowingly or through gross negligence: conceal revenues; maintain false books or records; falsify information or otherwise defraud or make false representations to us; or, submit any false report to us.
-
- After curing a default which is subject to cure under Section 15.03 below, you commit the same act of default again within six months.
-
- You make a willful misrepresentation or do not make a material disclosure required by any governmental authority regarding any matter involving or affecting your obligations under this Agreement or the operations of the Bonchon Businesses.
-
- You interfere or attempt to interfere in any manner with our or our affiliates' contractual relations and/or our relationships with other franchisees; any supplier of you, us or other franchisees; any governmental or quasi-governmental authority; our employees or advertising agencies; or, any third parties.
-
- You commit any act or default which materially impairs the goodwill associated with our Proprietary Marks and which, by its nature, is incurable; or, if the default is curable, you fail to cure the default following delivery of written notice to cure at least seventytwo hours in advance.
-
- You do not comply, for a period of fifteen (15) days after notification of non-compliance by us or any governmental or quasi-governmental authority, with any federal, state or local law or regulation applicable to the operation of the franchised Business.
-
- You repeatedly fail to comply with one or more requirements of this Agreement, whether or not corrected after notice.
-
- You, your Area Manager, or any of your District Managers violate any law, rule or regulation, and/or engages in any act or practice, which subjects you and/or us to widespread publicity, ridicule or derision.
-
- You use or duplicate any aspect of our System, services, programs or products in an unauthorized fashion.
-
- You engage in any business or market any service or product under a name or mark which, in our opinion, is confusingly similar to our Proprietary Marks.
-
- You engage in conduct which reflects materially and unfavorably upon the operation and reputation of the Bonchon Businesses, us or the Bonchon System.
-
- You or any of your owners' assets, property, or interests are blocked under any law, ordinance, or regulation relating to terrorist activities, or you or any of your owners otherwise violate any such law, ordinance, or regulation.
-
- Per Section 15.04 ("Cross-Default"), you (or any of your owners) fail to cure within the applicable time period any breaches under this Agreement, or any other agreement between you (or any of your affiliates) and us (or any of our affiliates) including, but not limited to, any other franchise agreement, area development agreement, lease or promissory note.
15.03 Termination by Us – Fifteen Days to Cure
Except as specifically provided elsewhere in this Agreement, you will have 15 calendar days following our delivery of written notice to you to cure any default under this Agreement (or, if the default cannot reasonably be cured within this time, to initiate action to cure the default within such time and complete cure within the shortest reasonable time thereafter) and provide us with evidence
that you have done so. If you have not cured any default within that time, (or, if the default cannot reasonably be cured within such time, you have not initiated action to cure the default within the applicable cure period and thereafter cure the default within the shortest reasonable time thereafter), or any longer period that applicable law may require, then, in addition to all other remedies we have at law or in equity, this Agreement will terminate immediately upon expiration of the 15 day period, or any longer period required by applicable law, without further notice to you, unless we otherwise agree in writing.
You will be in default of this Agreement for any failure to comply with any of your obligations and, if you are a business entity, your owners and Guarantors, imposed by this Agreement, our Manuals and/or all Supplements to the Manuals or if you and/or your owners or Guarantors otherwise fail to fulfill the terms of this Agreement in good faith. These defaults include the following events, which are set forth as examples only and are not meant to, nor shall they be deemed to, delineate all of the possible defaults which you may commit under this Agreement:
-
- You or any of your affiliates fail, refuse or neglect to pay promptly when due any money owed to us, our affiliates or any lender which has provided financing to your franchised Business. The cure period for this default shall not be the abovereferenced fifteen (15) calendar days but, instead, will be five (5) calendar days after we transmit to you a written notice of default. If you fail to cure any such default within such shortened cure period, then this Agreement will terminate immediately upon expiration of the applicable cure period.
-
- You fail, refuse or neglect to submit the financial and non-financial reports and other information required to be submitted to us under this Agreement, our Manuals or other written notices we transmit to you, or you make any false statements in connection with any reports or other information required to be submitted to us.
-
- You fail to maintain your trade accounts in a current status and/or fail to seek to promptly resolve any disputes with trade suppliers.
-
- You engage in any business, or market any program, product or service, under a name or mark which, in our opinion, is confusingly similar to the Proprietary Marks.
-
- You fail to pay any taxes due and owing by your franchised Business(es) hereunder (including employee taxes) when due.
-
- You do not use our Proprietary Marks and/or trade dress solely in the manner and for the purposes directed by us in this Agreement, our Manuals or otherwise.
-
- You do not indemnify us and/or one of the Franchisor Parties as required by this Agreement.
-
- By act or omission, you permit a continued violation in connection with the operation of your business hereunder of any law, ordinance, rule or regulation of a governmental agency, in the absence of a good faith dispute over its application or legality and without promptly resorting to an appropriate administrative or judicial forum for relief.
-
- You fail to obtain or maintain any required permit, certificate or other governmental approval required either by this Agreement or applicable law, rule or regulation.
-
- You employ any individual who is not eligible for employment in the United States under any federal, state, local or other law, rule or regulation.
-
- Any Guarantor fails to comply with any of the requirements imposed by or pursuant to the Guarantee addressed in Section 18.15 of this Agreement.
-
- You do not devote the amount of your time and attention and/or your best efforts to the performance of your duties of this Agreement necessary for the proper and effective operation of your franchised area development business hereunder.
-
- You fail to implement (and, at your expense, take all steps necessary to implement) and thereafter adhere to any new or changed System requirements.
-
- A final judgment not subject to appeal is entered against you or any Guarantor and remains unsatisfied for more than thirty (30) days or, if any such judgment is subject to appeal, you do not prosecute such appeal within thirty (30) days (or such shorter period as any law, rule or regulation requires).
You fail to comply with any other requirement imposed by this Agreement or our Manuals, or otherwise fail to carry out the terms of this Agreement in good faith.
15.04 Description of Default
The description of any default in any notice that we transmit to you will in no way preclude us from specifying additional or supplemental defaults under this Agreement or any related agreements in any action, proceeding, hearing or lawsuit relating to this Agreement or the termination of this Agreement.
15.05 Cross Default
Any default or breach by you (or any of your affiliates) of any other agreement between us or our affiliates and you (or any of your affiliates) will be considered a default under this Agreement, and any default or breach of this Agreement by you will be considered a default or breach under any and all other agreements between us (or any of our affiliates) and you (or any of your affiliates).
Source: Item 23 — RECEIPTS (FDD pages 92–536)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Bonchon's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, there are numerous ways a franchisee could potentially default on their franchise agreement. These defaults range from operational issues to financial mismanagement and legal violations. Understanding these potential pitfalls is crucial for any prospective Bonchon franchisee.
Some examples of defaults include failing to promptly pay money owed to Bonchon, its affiliates, or lenders, and neglecting to submit required financial reports or making false statements in those reports. A franchisee could also default by offering unauthorized products or services, failing to maintain trade accounts, or not paying taxes when due. Furthermore, misusing Bonchon's proprietary marks or violating advertising restrictions can also lead to default.
Other defaults include making misrepresentations to governmental authorities, interfering with Bonchon's relationships with suppliers or other franchisees, or engaging in conduct that impairs the goodwill associated with Bonchon's brand. A franchisee can also default by violating laws or regulations, using Bonchon's system in an unauthorized manner, or engaging in any business that uses a confusingly similar name or mark. Additionally, having assets blocked under laws related to terrorist activities also constitutes a default.
Repeatedly failing to comply with the franchise agreement, underreporting gross revenues by specified percentages during audits, or refusing inspections can also lead to default. Moreover, taking funds withheld from employee wages, failing to deal honestly with employees or customers, or re-committing a previously cured default within six months are grounds for termination. Finally, defaulting under any agreement with a lessor or failing to operate the business during specified hours without approval are also considered defaults under the Bonchon franchise agreement.