Does Buff City Soap select the site for my Franchised Business?

We do not select the site for your Franchised Business. You will have responsibility for selecting the site for your location and submitting information on the site approval form we include in the Manuals. The proposed site must comply with our site selection criteria, which depending on your market, includes demographic characteristics; traffic patterns; parking; character of neighborhood; competition from, proximity to, and nature of other businesses; other commercial characteristics; and the proposed site's size, appearance, and other physical characteristics. We have the right to accept or reject the site you select based on our analysis of how each of these criteria in your particular market enhance our brand awareness and goodwill. We will not unreasonably withhold our acceptance of a site that meets our criteria in your particular market for demographic characteristics; traffic patterns; parking; character of neighborhood; competition from, proximity to, and nature of other businesses; other commercial characteristics; and the proposed site's size, appearance, and other physical characteristics. In determining whether to accept or reject a proposed site, we also may consider the site's proximity to both boundaries of the Protected Area and to other existing or proposed Studios located outside the Protected Area boundaries. If we do not accept the proposed site within a 30-day period, the proposed site will be deemed rejected. The factors for site consideration may change after you sign a Development Agreement and before you submit each proposed site under a Development Agreement. We have no obligation to provide any assistance in locating a site, negotiating the lease, conforming the premises to local codes and ordinances, obtaining permits, constructing, remodeling or decorating, hiring and training employees (except for the training we provide described in training below), or providing for necessary equipment, signs, fixtures, opening inventory and supplies. You must propose a site within 60 days after the effective date of the Franchise Agreement and acquire the right to occupy the site within 30 days after our approval of the site. The grant of any extension of time to complete this phase of pre-opening is at our sole discretion. If you fail to acquire the right to obtain an approved site within 30 days following our approval, we may terminate your Franchise Agreement without giving you any time to cure. (Franchise Agreement, Section 5(d))

We do not typically own the premises which is then leased to you.

Source: Item 11 — FRANCHISOR'S ASSISTANCE, ADVERTISING, COMPUTER SYSTEMS, AND TRAINING (FDD pages 35–42)