Does Bonchon require a franchisee to obtain written consent before assigning their interest in the Bonchon franchise agreement, and if so, what other right might Bonchon exercise?
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.
Source: Item 23 — RECEIPTS (FDD pages 92–536)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Bonchon's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, franchisees must obtain prior written consent from Bonchon before selling or assigning any interest in the franchise agreement, the franchised business, or the Bonchon Restaurant to a third party. This requirement ensures that Bonchon maintains control over who operates its franchises and upholds brand standards.
Bonchon retains the right of first refusal, meaning that if a franchisee wishes to sell their business, Bonchon has the first opportunity to purchase it themselves. However, this right of first refusal does not apply if the assignee is a member of the franchisee's immediate family. If Bonchon chooses not to exercise its right of first refusal, it will not unreasonably withhold consent to the assignment and sale, provided certain conditions are met.
These conditions include the proposed assignee applying for acceptance as a franchisee and providing Bonchon with requested information to assess their qualifications, financial condition, and background. The assignee may also be required to attend a personal interview at Bonchon's corporate office. If Bonchon does not exercise its right of first refusal, the franchisee is free to assign the agreement if they satisfy the conditions for approval and close the transaction within sixty days. If the terms of the sale change, it is considered a new offer, and Bonchon has the right of first refusal again. If the franchisee fails to close the assignment within sixty days, Bonchon's right of first refusal is restored. If Bonchon exercises its right of first refusal, the franchisee is bound by a non-competition covenant for two years.