For Bonchon franchise agreements, are signatures via DocuSign, .PDF file, facsimile, or other electronic format considered to have the same force and effect as original signatures?

According to Bonchon's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, addenda for Hawaii and Illinois state that signatures via DocuSign, .PDF file, facsimile, or other electronic format have the same legal validity as original signatures. This applies specifically to the Hawaii Addendum to the Franchise Agreement, the Hawaii Addendum to the Area Development Agreement, and the Illinois Addendum to the Franchise Agreement. This indicates that Bonchon accepts electronic signatures as legally binding in these states.

For a prospective Bonchon franchisee, this means that if you are signing a franchise agreement or area development agreement in Hawaii or Illinois, you can use electronic signatures without needing to provide a physical, ink-on-paper signature. This can expedite the signing process and reduce administrative burdens. It is important to note that this specific clause is only mentioned within the context of the Hawaii and Illinois addenda, so its applicability may be limited to those states.

It is common practice for franchisors to accept electronic signatures for franchise agreements and related documents, as it streamlines the process and reduces the need for physical paperwork. However, franchisees should always carefully review the specific terms of their franchise agreement and any state-specific addenda to ensure they understand the requirements for valid signatures and any other legal obligations. Franchisees should also confirm with Bonchon whether electronic signatures are acceptable in states other than Hawaii and Illinois.