factual

When transferring a license, what documentation must be provided to Budget, and who is responsible for facilitating communication between Budget, the proposed transferee, and the transferring licensee?

Budget Franchise · 2025 FDD

Answer from 2025 FDD Document

    1. Provide all final documentation (i.e., corporate resolutions, lease and airport concession agreement assignments and consents to such assignments, etc.) to Budget. Transferring Licensee is responsible for their transfer request and for facilitating any communication between Budget, proposed Transferee and Transferring Licensee. BROKERS SHOULD NOT contact Budget at any time.

Transferring Licensee will submit to Budget written notice of its intent to transfer, together with all of the following documents and information for Budget's review, with such documents and information being certified as true, correct and complete by Transferee, its shareholders, members and/or partner(s):

    1. The names, addresses and phone numbers (both business and personal) of the Transferee, its shareholders, members and/or partners, and its officers, directors and operational management personnel (hereinafter "management team") related to the Rental Business.
    1. Financial statements of the Transferee, its shareholders, members and/or partners for the past three (3) years and an opening balance sheet for the Rental Business.
    1. The business experience for the past five (5) years (with particular emphasis on rent-a-car experience) of the Transferee, its shareholders, members and/or partners and its management team.
    1. The bankruptcy and litigation history, for the past five (5) years, of the Transferee, its shareholders and/or partners and its management team.
    1. A copy of the definitive buy/sell agreement and any and all other agreements and documents in any way relating to the transfer, or needed for the approval process including, but not limited to, facility, equipment and concession agreements being assumed, schedules of assets being sold, employment/consulting agreements, asset/vehicle purchase agreements, and non- competition agreements. The buy/sell agreement must be signed by Transferring Licensee and proposed Transferee and must also contain language indicating that the proposed sale is contingent upon Budget's written consent to the transfer and the satisfaction of all transfer requirements.
    1. Verification from banks or other financial institutions that the Proposed Transferee has secured lines of credit for fleet financing in amounts necessary to operate the Rental Business.
    1. Verification from insurance companies that the proposed Transferee has secured fleet liability insurance.
    1. A copy of the forecast or pro forma financial statements completed by the proposed Transferee on the Rental Business, which was submitted to fleet financing or other financing sources.
    1. Pictures of the locations subject to the sale including pictures of the interior and exterior trade dress and counter.

In determining whether to approve the transfer, Budget shall consider each of the following:

The number and type of prospective shareholders and/or partners of the Transferee and its effect on the management, operation and profitability of the Rental Business.

Any competitive business interests and any other Rental Business interests of the Transferee, its shareholders, members and/or partners and its management team.

The litigation and bankruptcy history, for at least the last five (5) years, of the Transferee and any related company, its stockholders, members and/or partners and management team.

Whether the Transferring Licensee is adhering to Budget's then current standards including (a) operating the Budget business using Wizard or other approved electronic distribution system, (b) maintaining Budget's then current trade dress and facility standards and (c) following Budget's other Standards and Programs regarding National Accounts corporate accounts and form of rental agreement.

    1. Execute and comply with all of the terms of Budget's then current License Agreement, Programs and any terms of Budget's Conditional Consent Letter. The royalty fee structure applied to the License Agreement to be executed by the Transferee shall be consistent with that as provided in the Transferring Licensee's existing Budget License Agreement.
    1. Make such necessary operational improvements in the Rental Business (i.e., fleet, facilities, signage, personnel, promotional participation, etc.) to bring the business into reasonable compliance with the then current operating standards of the System.

Source: Item 23 — RECEIPTS (FDD pages 80–426)

What This Means (2025 FDD)

According to Budget's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, a transferring licensee must provide all final documentation, such as corporate resolutions, lease assignments, and airport concession agreement assignments and consents, to Budget. The transferring licensee is responsible for managing the transfer request and ensuring communication among Budget, the proposed transferee, and themselves. The FDD specifically states that brokers should not contact Budget at any time during this process.

In addition to providing final documentation, the transferring licensee must submit a written notice of intent to transfer to Budget, along with several documents and information items certified as true, correct, and complete by the transferee, its shareholders, members, or partners. These include names, addresses, and phone numbers of the transferee's management team, financial statements for the past three years and an opening balance sheet for the rental business, and the business experience of the transferee's team for the past five years, with emphasis on rent-a-car experience.

The documentation also includes the bankruptcy and litigation history of the transferee's team for the past five years, a copy of the definitive buy/sell agreement and any related documents, verification from banks that the transferee has secured lines of credit for fleet financing, and verification from insurance companies that the transferee has secured fleet liability insurance. Furthermore, a copy of the forecast or pro forma financial statements completed by the proposed transferee on the rental business and pictures of the locations subject to the sale, including interior and exterior trade dress and counter, must be submitted.

Budget will review these documents to determine whether to approve the transfer, considering factors such as the number and type of prospective shareholders, any competitive business interests, the litigation and bankruptcy history of the transferee, and whether the transferring licensee is adhering to Budget's current standards. The proposed transferee must also execute and comply with the terms of Budget's current License Agreement, Programs, and any terms of Budget's Conditional Consent Letter, and make necessary operational improvements to comply with Budget's operating standards.

Disclaimer: This information is extracted from the 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document and is provided for research purposes only. It does not constitute legal or financial advice. Consult with a franchise attorney before making any investment decisions.