Can a Bonchon franchisee sell their franchise without Bonchon's prior written consent?
Bonchon Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
must comply in all respects with the requirements and prohibitions set forth in Section 8.18 of this Agreement ("Business Entity Requirements and Records").
Any transfer pursuant to this Section 14.03 will not be subject to our right of first refusal below and will not require you to pay to us any transfer fee.
14.04 Assignment By You – Sale To Third Party
You may not sell or otherwise assign or transfer all or any interest in you (if you are a business entity), the franchise conferred by this Agreement, your franchised Business, your Bonchon Restaurant, your right to use the Bonchon System, Proprietary Marks, Confidential Information and/or Manuals, or any interest in any of these, to a third party without our prior written consent. If we do not elect to exercise our right of first refusal (as provided in Section 14.06 below), which right shall not apply in the event that the assignee is a member of your immediate family, then we will not unreasonably withhold consent to the assignment and sale. You agree that it will not be unreasonable for us to impose, among other requirements, the following conditions to granting consent to the proposed assignment and sale:
- A. That the proposed assignee (meaning all individuals and entities which, after the proposed sale, transfer or assignment, will be franchisees under this Agreement or under any successor agreement) applies to us for acceptance as a franchisee, and furnishes to us the information and references that we request to determine the proposed assignee's skills, qualifications, financial condition, background and history, reputation, economic resources, education, managerial and business experience, moral character, credit rating and ability to assume your duties and obligations under this Agreement and any related agreement. You must pay the costs of any such investigation conducted by us.
- B. That the proposed assignee (or, if an entity, each and every owner or guarantor of the proposed assignee) presents itself for a personal interview at our corporate office, or any other location we designate, at the date and time we reasonably request, without expense to us. We may determine to meet with your proposed assignee at his, her or its principal
- place of business or residence and, if we do, you will reimburse us for all travel, lodging, meal and personal expenses related to such meeting.
- C. That the proposed assignee has the organizational, managerial and financial structure, financial resources and capital required to conduct the franchised Business in accordance with such standards and the satisfaction of such conditions as we indicate from time to time, taking into account such factors (among others) as the number of Restaurants and market areas involved and their geographic proximity.
- D. That the proposed assignee comply with our ownership requirements relative to the control of the proposed assignee and the franchised Business.
- E. That the proposed assignee and/or his, her or its proposed Operating Principal attend and receive certification in safe food handling from a state-approved food safety program and attend and successfully complete our Initial Training Program or Partner Training Program (as applicable) before the assignment, and any other training that we reasonably require, at the assignee's expense (which will include our then-current training fee and the cost of the trainee's transportation, lodging, food and other living expenses). Each individual undergoing such training must first execute the Confidentiality/Non-Competition Agreement substantially in the form of Exhibit E. We may waive these requirements if the proposed assignee is one of our existing franchisees in good standing.
- F. That the lessor or sublessor of your Bonchon Restaurant Location consents in writing to the assignment of your lease to the proposed assignee.
- G. That, as of the date of the assignment, you have cured any existing defaults under any provisions of this Agreement or any other agreement or arrangement with us or our affiliates, and have fully satisfied in all respects all of your accrued and/or then-current monetary and other obligations to us and our affiliates (under this Agreement or otherwise), all sources of financing of your franchised Business and all material sources of supply of your franchised Business.
- H.
Source: Item 23 — RECEIPTS (FDD pages 92–536)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Bonchon's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, a franchisee generally cannot sell or transfer their franchise, business, or rights to the Bonchon system to a third party without Bonchon's prior written consent. Bonchon states that the franchise agreement is personal to the franchisee, and the company relies on the franchisee's skills and qualifications when entering the agreement.
However, Bonchon will not unreasonably withhold consent to the assignment and sale if they do not exercise their right of first refusal, especially if the assignee is a member of the franchisee's immediate family. As part of the process, the proposed assignee must apply for acceptance as a franchisee and provide Bonchon with requested information to determine their skills, qualifications, financial condition, background, reputation, and ability to fulfill the obligations of the franchise agreement. The franchisee is responsible for covering the costs of any investigation conducted by Bonchon.
Additionally, the proposed assignee (or each owner/guarantor, if an entity) may be required to attend a personal interview at Bonchon's corporate office or another designated location, without expense to Bonchon. Bonchon may also choose to meet the proposed assignee at their place of business or residence, in which case the franchisee must reimburse Bonchon for all travel, lodging, meal, and personal expenses related to the meeting. These conditions ensure that any new franchisee meets Bonchon's standards and is capable of maintaining the brand's quality and reputation.
Furthermore, all of the franchisee's business entity's organizational documents must state that the issuance or transfer of any interest is restricted by the terms of the Franchise Agreement and that the sole purpose of the entity is to conduct a franchised Bonchon business. The documents must also include a clause that the Franchise Agreement takes precedence over any conflicting provisions. The franchisee must also maintain stop instructions against the transfer on the business entity's corporate records of any securities or other ownership interests and include a specific legend on any securities issued, indicating that their transfer is subject to the terms of the Franchise Agreement.