What are the maintenance and repair obligations for a Circle K franchise location?
Circle_K Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
vises the Circle K Store general floor plan layout, Franchisee agrees to reconfigure the Store's floor plan layout to bring the floor plan into conformance with Franchisor's then-current specifications within three (3) months.
- 7.4 Maintenance and Repair. As between Franchisee and Franchisor, Store maintenance and repair will be the sole responsibility of Franchisee. Franchisee will at all times maintain the interior and exterior of the Store and the Franchised Location and all fixtures, furnishings, signs, and equipment located at the Store and surrounding area used in connection with such business in the highest degree of cleanliness, orderliness, safety, and sanitation and in
good repair as set forth in the mandatory provisions of the Business Systems Manuals. Franchisee will make such additions, alterations, repairs, and replacements as necessary to conform to Franchisor's requirements. All replacements of furniture, fixtures, and equipment must conform to the quality standards for Circle K Stores, any applicable laws, ordinances, and regulations, and must be approved by Franchisor in writing.
- 7.5 Signs. Franchisee will display at the Franchised Location signs, advertising, slogans, and symbols as Franchisor may prescribe from time to time, subject to any Lease and local zoning restrictions. Franchisee will pay for permitting and exterior signage at the Franchised Location and will be responsible for the installation and maintenance of all signs. Any signage may not be used except as permitted hereunder and may not be altered or removed by Franchisee except with Franchisor's prior written consent or upon termination of this Agreement.
- 7.6 Equipment/Construction and Other Funding. Franchisor may offer to Franchisee funding for acquisition of certain Store equipment and/or construction of the Store ("Equipment/Construction Funding") if Franchisee qualifies for same. If Franchisee accepts the Equipment/Construction Funding, Franchisee must sign the Equipment/Construction Funding Agreement attached hereto as Exhibit 4 (the "Equipment/Construction Funding Agreement") and the Personal Guaranty (attached hereto as Exhibit 5).
Source: Item 22 — CONTRACTS (FDD page 100)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Circle K's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, franchisees are solely responsible for store maintenance and repairs. This includes maintaining both the interior and exterior of the store and the franchised location. Franchisees must also ensure that all fixtures, furnishings, signs, and equipment are kept in a high degree of cleanliness, orderliness, safety, and sanitation, and in good repair. These standards are detailed in the mandatory provisions of the Business Systems Manuals.
Circle K franchisees are obligated to make necessary additions, alterations, repairs, and replacements to meet Circle K's requirements. All replacements of furniture, fixtures, and equipment must adhere to Circle K's quality standards, comply with applicable laws, ordinances, and regulations, and receive written approval from Circle K.
Circle K also requires franchisees to conduct remodeling of the store, with extensive remodeling required no more than once every five years (the "Remodel Period"). However, if Circle K determines that items like furniture, fixtures, or equipment have become worn before the end of the Remodel Period and cannot be reasonably repaired to meet Circle K's image standards, the franchisee must replace those items upon Circle K's request. Additionally, if Circle K revises the store's general floor plan layout, franchisees must reconfigure the store to conform to the new specifications within three months.