What is the role of the 'Office Broker' for a Christies International Real Estate franchise?
Christies_International_Real_Estate Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
To simplify this Franchise Disclosure Document, the terms "we," "us," and "our" refer to Christie's International Real Estate, LLC, the "Franchisor" or "Licensor." The terms "you" and "your" refer to the person or entity, or "Affiliate," that buys this "franchise" or "license," including any guarantors.
We offer franchises for the right to operate a full-service residential real estate brokerage business using the Marks, including CHRISTIE'S INTERNATIONAL REAL ESTATE, pursuant to a Broker Affiliate License Agreement (the "Business").
Subject to the provisions contained in this Agreement, including all exhibits and related documents, and Operations Manual, we grant you a non-exclusive license to own and operate a CHRISTIE'S INTERNATIONAL REAL ESTATE business (the "Business"). The physical address of your Business ("Main Office") must be located within the Protected Territory and approved by us in writing before you can begin to operate your Business. Your Main Office and the Protected Territory are identified in Exhibit 1 to this Agreement. You may not relocate your Main Office without our prior written consent, as described in Section 5.2 of this Agreement.
You may open additional offices (each, an "Additional Office") as listed in Exhibit 1 of the License Agreement, or as needed, so long as we receive prior written notification before you enter into any binding agreement to lease, purchase, or otherwise occupy the Additional Office. We reserve the right to reject the location of your anticipated Additional Office. If we approve your proposed Additional Office, you must execute the Additional Office Addendum.
Your right to offer and sell real estate brokerage services under the License Agreement is subject to the limitations set forth in the Operations Manual or as we otherwise periodically prescribe, which may include certain territorial policies that we establish or modify from time to time. You may not establish or operate any CHRISTIE'S INTERNATIONAL REAL ESTATE office outside the Protected Territory, unless we permit you to do so under a separate Broker Affiliate License Agreement.
If we grant you a Protected Territory, your Main Office and any Additional Offices must be located within the Protected Territory.
If we grant you a Protected Territory, neither we nor our affiliates will establish and operate, or grant licenses or franchises to others to establish and operate, any other office of a CHRISTIE'S INTERNATIONAL REAL ESTATE Business within the Protected Territory during the term of the License Agreement, as long as you are in compliance with the License Agreement.
Source: Item 15 — OBLIGATION TO PARTICIPATE IN THE ACTUAL OPERATION OF THE FRANCHISE BUSINESS (FDD pages 41–43)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
Based on the 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, the term 'Office Broker' is not explicitly defined for a Christies International Real Estate franchise. However, the FDD does provide information on the franchisee's role and rights as a 'Broker Affiliate'.
The franchisee, referred to as an 'Affiliate,' is granted a non-exclusive license to operate a Christies International Real Estate business from an approved Main Office within a Protected Territory. The franchisee can offer and sell real estate brokerage services under the Christies International Real Estate marks. The franchisee's rights are subject to limitations in the Operations Manual and territorial policies established by the franchisor.
The franchisee may be permitted to operate additional offices ('Additional Offices') with prior written notification and approval from Christies International Real Estate. The franchisor considers factors like population, income levels, competition, and visibility when reviewing potential sites. The franchisee's rights outside their Protected Territory may be limited by territorial grants to other affiliates or third parties, and these rights can be modified by the franchisor.
While the FDD does not use the specific term 'Office Broker,' it outlines the franchisee's role in operating a Christies International Real Estate business, including territorial rights, office locations, and the provision of real estate brokerage services. A prospective franchisee should seek clarification from the franchisor regarding the specific responsibilities and expectations of the 'Office Broker' role, if it exists, within the Christies International Real Estate franchise model.