Can a Bonchon franchisee reopen their restaurant or resume suspended services after a Crisis Management Event without express written consent?

According to Bonchon's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, a franchisee is not allowed to reopen their restaurant or resume services that were suspended or discontinued during a Crisis Management Event without first obtaining express written consent from Bonchon. Bonchon retains the right to manage how a Crisis Management Event is handled, including temporarily suspending services or closing restaurants.

This means that if a crisis occurs, such as a food contamination issue or a natural disaster, Bonchon has the authority to direct the response and ensure consistent messaging and actions across the franchise system. The franchisee must cooperate fully with Bonchon's directives and is not permitted to independently decide to reopen or resume services.

This requirement protects the Bonchon brand and ensures that all restaurants meet the required safety and operational standards before resuming operations after a crisis. It also ensures that Bonchon can control communications and remedial actions to protect its reputation. A 'Crisis Management Event' is defined broadly, including events that may cause harm or injury to members, employees, the public, the Bonchon system, or the brand's reputation.