Where can I find the description of the Protected Area for my Buff City Soap franchise?
Buff_City_Soap Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
The franchise you are granted will be for one specified location approved by us. When you sign the Franchise Agreement, unless you have selected and we have accepted the precise location of the Franchised Business, we will designate an area defined by zip codes, a map, shopping areas, or other means (the "Designated Area"). You must find a location acceptable to us within the Designated Area during the 60-day period after you sign the Franchise Agreement. During this period, we will not grant a BCS Makery franchise to any other party and our Affiliates will not open or develop another BCS Makery within the Designated Area. You must find a location acceptable to us within the Designated Area. When we accept the location within the Designated Area you propose, we will fix the boundaries of a "Protected Area" for the Franchised Business.
There will be no minimum geographic size to your Designated Area or Protected Area. The Protected Area will be determined by the demographics and population size specific to your location. The minimum population size of the target demographic group within your Protected Area is determined on a case-by-case basis depending on the results of demographic research. Protected Areas will range in size from a site-specific location, i.e., a street address, to a block, a zip code, or a defined measurable area, depending on where your Makery is located. Typically, Makeries located in metropolitan areas will receive a smaller Protected Area than Makeries located in suburban/rural areas. Your Protected Area will be described in Exhibit G to your Franchise Agreement. During the term of your Franchise Agreement, and provided that you are not in default, we will not establish or license another person to establish another Makery within your Protected Area.
Source: Item 12 — TERRITORY (FDD pages 43–45)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Buff City Soap's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, the description of your Protected Area will be found in Exhibit G of your Franchise Agreement. After you sign the Franchise Agreement, you have 60 days to find a location acceptable to Buff City Soap within a Designated Area, which is initially defined by zip codes, maps, or shopping areas. Once Buff City Soap approves your location, the boundaries of your Protected Area will be fixed.
The size of the Protected Area is not fixed geographically and will depend on the demographics and population size specific to your location. The FDD states that the minimum population size of the target demographic group within your Protected Area is determined on a case-by-case basis based on demographic research. Protected Areas can vary from a specific street address to a block, zip code, or other measurable area, with metropolitan areas typically having smaller Protected Areas than suburban or rural locations.
Buff City Soap retains significant rights within and outside your Protected Area, except those expressly granted to you in the Franchise Agreement. This means Buff City Soap can advertise, promote the system, operate, and license other franchises outside your Protected Area. They can also sell products and services through various channels, potentially competing with your franchise. You do not have a right to establish additional distribution channels without Buff City Soap's written permission, and they may develop alternative channels that compete with you.