What conditions must a Burger King franchisee satisfy before BKC will consent to the transfer of their franchise?
Burger_King Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
e Agreement
Notwithstanding any consent granted by BKC pursuant to Sections 15.A, B and C above, neither Franchisee nor any Owner shall pledge, mortgage, hypothecate, give as security for an obligation or in any manner encumber this Agreement or the franchise granted herein except with the express written consent of BKC given in connection with the execution of BKC's then current third party intercreditor agreement. Franchisee shall pay BKC a transfer fee in the amount set forth as the Intercreditor Agreement Transfer Fee on the Key Contract Data page for the costs and expenses incurred by BKC in connection with facilitating the execution of the intercreditor agreement (the "Intercreditor Agreement Transfer Fee"). This fee is in addition to the fees referenced in Section 15.F(8) of this Agreement.
E. Notice of Proposed Transfer
The proposed transferor shall notify BKC in writing of any proposed transfer of an interest referred to in Section 15.A or 15.B, as applicable, before the proposed transfer is to take place, and shall provide such information and documentation relating to the proposed transfer as BKC may reasonably require.
F. Conditions of Consent
BKC shall use reasonable efforts to provide consent of the proposed transfer, or communicate to Franchisee, notice of disapproval, within ninety (90) days (for transactions involving less than ten (10) restaurants the time frame shall be sixty (60) days) of receipt by BKC of Franchisee's notice of the proposed transfer and the furnishing of all reasonably requested information. BKC may condition its consent to the proposed transfer of an interest referred to in Section 15.A or 15.B of this Agreement on satisfaction of any or all of the following requirements:
- (1) That all of Franchisee's accrued monetary obligations and all other outstanding obligations to BKC and its Affiliates, whether arising under this Agreement or otherwise, have been satisfied;
- (2) That Franchisee is not in default of any provision of this Agreement, any amendment hereof or successor hereto, or any other agreement between Franchisee and BKC or its Affiliates;
- (3) That the transferee (or, if applicable, such owners of the transferee as BKC may request), in BKC's sole judgment, satisfies all of BKC's business standards and requirements; has the aptitude and ability to operate the Franchised Restaurant; and has adequate financial resources and capital to do so; and that transferee complete and be approved through BKC's standard franchisee application and selection process including satisfactorily demonstrating to BKC that transferee meets the financial, character, managerial, ownership and such other requirements, criteria and conditions as BKC shall then be applying in considering applications for new franchises, including transferee, and the Managing Owner identified by transferee satisfactorily completing all BKC's training requirements;
- (4) That the transferee, at BKC's election, consistent with then current BKC policy, (a) enter into a written assignment, in a form satisfactory to BKC, assuming and agreeing to discharge all of Franchisee's obligations under this Agreement, or (b) execute, for a term ending on the Expiration Date of this Agreement, BKC's then-current form of BURGER KING Restaurant franchise agreement applicable to such transferee and such other ancillary agreements as BKC may require for the Franchised Restaurant;
Source: Item 22 — CONTRACTS (FDD pages 125–127)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Burger King's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, a franchisee needs to meet several conditions to get Burger King Corporation's (BKC) consent for a franchise transfer. These conditions ensure that the transfer does not negatively impact the Burger King brand and that the new franchisee is capable of maintaining the standards of the franchise system.
First, the franchisee must fulfill all outstanding financial and other obligations to BKC and its affiliates. They must not be in default of any agreements with BKC. The proposed transferee must meet BKC's business standards, demonstrate the aptitude and financial resources to operate the restaurant, and complete BKC's standard franchisee application and selection process, including training requirements. The transferee must also meet financial, character, managerial, and ownership criteria that BKC applies to new franchisees.
Additionally, the transferee must either assume the franchisee's obligations under the existing agreement or execute Burger King's current franchise agreement. The franchisee and each owner must execute a general release of claims against BKC. The contract of sale must ensure sufficient cash flow for debt service and restaurant repairs or remodeling. The transferor must have been in good standing with BKC according to the operational criteria for Franchise Approval. The transferor must also pay the Transferor Transfer Fee to cover BKC's expenses for reviewing the transfer, and if the transferee is not an existing franchisee, the franchisee seller must pay a New Franchisee Training Fee.
Burger King's right to review and approve the terms of the contract of sale, the transferee's qualifications, and the release of claims ensures that the brand's interests are protected during the transfer process. These requirements are typical in franchising to maintain consistency and quality across the franchise system. A prospective franchisee should carefully review these conditions and ensure they can meet them before attempting to transfer their Burger King franchise.