After Counselor Realty consents to a site, how long does the franchisee have to open their Counselor Realty business?
Counselor_Realty Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
You must select a site for your Office within 180 days after you sign the Franchise Agreement. After you notify Counselor of a proposed site for your Office, Counselor has 30 days to review the site and to notify you whether or not it consents to your operation of the Business at that site. If Counselor rejects the site you propose, you will have an additional 60 days to locate a site that is acceptable to Counselor. If you fail to do so, the Franchise Agreement will automatically terminate and Counselor will refund your Initial Fee, less Counselor's expenses associated with reviewing the proposed site(s). After Counselor consents to an Office site you propose, you must open your Business at that site within
six months. If you fail to do so, the Franchise Agreement will automatically terminate and your Initial Fee will not be refunded. Counselor may, in its sole discretion, grant extensions of the deadlines described above.
Source: Item 12 — TERRITORY (FDD pages 21–23)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Counselor Realty's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, once Counselor Realty approves a proposed site for the franchisee's office, the franchisee has six months to open their Counselor Realty business at that location. Failing to open within this timeframe can lead to the automatic termination of the Franchise Agreement, and the initial franchise fee will not be refunded to the franchisee. However, Counselor Realty may, at its discretion, grant extensions to this deadline.
This six-month window is a critical period for franchisees, requiring them to efficiently manage the setup of their office, including leasehold improvements, staffing, and marketing. The risk of losing the initial fee and the franchise rights underscores the importance of thorough planning and execution during this phase. Franchisees should proactively communicate with Counselor Realty if they anticipate any delays to explore the possibility of obtaining an extension.
In the franchise industry, the timeframe to open a business after site approval can vary widely depending on the complexity of the business and the level of support provided by the franchisor. Six months is a fairly standard timeframe for a real estate brokerage, but franchisees should carefully assess their ability to meet this deadline, considering local permitting processes, contractor availability, and other potential obstacles. The availability of extensions, at Counselor Realty's discretion, provides some flexibility, but franchisees should not rely on these extensions as a guaranteed safeguard.
Prospective Counselor Realty franchisees should clarify the specific conditions under which extensions are typically granted and document all communications with Counselor Realty regarding site approval and opening timelines. Understanding the potential consequences of failing to meet the deadline and having a clear plan for mitigating risks is essential for a successful franchise launch.