What options does Bonchon have after receiving notice of a proposed assignment from a Bonchon franchisee?
Bonchon Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
the later of: (i) sixty (60) days following your receipt of our notice to you; (ii) the closing period (if any) specified in the subject offer; or, (iii) such longer period as may be necessary to conduct the due diligence provided for above. You agree to take all action necessary to assign your lease agreement with the lessor of your Bonchon Restaurant Location to us.
- G. If we elect not to exercise our right of first refusal and we consent to the proposed assignment or redemption, then you will, subject to the provisions of this Article, be free to assign this Agreement or the franchised Business to your proposed assignee on the terms and conditions specified in the notice if you satisfy the conditions of Section 14.04 for our approval of an assignment and if you close the transaction within sixty days (or such further time as may be stipulated by law, rule or regulation). If, however, the terms specified in your notice are changed, the changed terms will be considered a new offer, and we will have an identical right of first refusal with respect to this new offer. Further, if you fail to close the assignment transaction within sixty days (or such further period of time as may be stipulated by applicable law, rule or regulation), then our right of first refusal hereunder shall be restored and we may elect to exercise same within thirty days thereafter.
- H. Our election not to exercise our right of first refusal with regard to any offer will not affect our right of first refusal with regard to any later or modified offer. If we do not exercise our right of first refusal, this will not constitute approval of the proposed transferee, assignee, redemption or the transaction itself. You and any proposed assignee must comply with
all the criteria and procedures for assignment of the franchise, the Franchise Agreement and/or the franchised Business specified in this Article 14.
If we exercise our right of first refusal, you and your selling owner(s) agree that, for two (2) years beginning on the closing date, you and they will be bound by the non-competition covenant contained in Section 12.02 above. We have the unrestricted right to assign this right of first refusal to a third party, who then will have the rights described in this Section.
14.07 Security Interest
Without our prior written consent (which will not be unreasonably withheld, delayed or denied), you may not pledge, encumber, mortgage, hypothecate or otherwise grant any third party a security interest in this Agreement, the franchised Business, your Restaurant, any ownership interests in you (if you are a business entity), any ownership interests in any business entity which directly or indirectly controls you, your Lease or Sublease (as applicable) or any of the tangible assets material to the operation of your franchised Business (including, without limitation, the premises of your franchised Business and your Location). We may require your compliance with any policy statement which we adopt and announce regarding such security interests. We reserve the right to review and approve the terms of any security agreement or other document granting a security interest in any of the assets or interests described in this Section 14.07, which approval shall be in writing.
14.08 Your Offer and Sale of Securities
If you are a business entity and intend to offer and sell securities of any type or nature or other ownership interests in you, the franchised Business, any owner and/or any Guarantor, then you must give us written notice at least sixty days prior to the date of commencement of any such offering.
Source: Item 23 — RECEIPTS (FDD pages 92–536)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Bonchon's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, if a franchisee proposes to assign their franchise, Bonchon has a right of first refusal, meaning Bonchon can choose to purchase the franchise business itself, or allow the franchisee to proceed with their proposed assignment. If Bonchon chooses not to exercise its right of first refusal, the franchisee is free to assign the agreement, provided they meet certain conditions and close the transaction within sixty days, or another time frame stipulated by law. If the terms of the assignment change, it is considered a new offer, which triggers a new right of first refusal for Bonchon. If the franchisee fails to close the assignment within the specified time, Bonchon's right of first refusal is restored. Bonchon's decision not to exercise its right of first refusal for one offer does not prevent it from doing so on any later or modified offers.
Bonchon's approval of a proposed assignee does not constitute approval of the transaction itself. Both the franchisee and the proposed assignee must comply with all criteria and procedures for the assignment as specified in the franchise agreement. If Bonchon exercises its right of first refusal, the franchisee and selling owners are subject to a two-year non-competition covenant. Bonchon also has the right to assign its right of first refusal to a third party.
Furthermore, if the proposed transfer involves more than 25% of the ownership interests in a franchisee that is a business entity, Bonchon has the option to purchase all remaining interests in the entity, resulting in 100% ownership. Bonchon's credit is considered at least equal to that of any proposed purchaser, and Bonchon may substitute cash for the fair market value of any other form of payment proposed in the offer. If Bonchon exercises its right of first refusal, the closing on the purchase must occur within a specified timeframe, taking into account the closing period in the offer and any necessary due diligence.