Does Chocolate Bash require a specific form of Rider to Lease Agreement?

According to Chocolate Bash's 2024 Franchise Disclosure Document, franchisees must make reasonable efforts to have their landlord sign Chocolate Bash's specific Rider to Lease Agreement form. This form is included as Exhibit D in the FDD. This means that while franchisees are not absolutely required to get the Rider to Lease Agreement signed, they must try to do so.

This requirement ensures that Chocolate Bash has some control over the lease terms and the franchisee's location. It allows Chocolate Bash to protect its brand and ensure that the location meets its standards. The Rider to Lease Agreement likely contains provisions that benefit Chocolate Bash, such as the right to approve the location, restrictions on the landlord's use of the property, and the right to terminate the lease in certain circumstances.

Prospective franchisees should carefully review Exhibit D, the Rider to Lease Agreement, to understand its terms and conditions. They should also discuss with Chocolate Bash what constitutes "reasonable efforts" to obtain the landlord's signature. Franchisees should also consider the potential difficulties in getting a landlord to sign the Rider to Lease Agreement and factor that into their site selection process. It is common in franchising for franchisors to have some level of input or control over the lease agreement to protect their brand and ensure consistent standards across all locations.