Can the deadline for opening a Counselor Realty office be extended?
Counselor_Realty Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
After we consent to an Office site you propose (if at all), you must open your Business at that site within six months. If you fail to do so, this Agreement will automatically terminate and your Initial Franchise Fee will not be refunded. We may, in our sole discretion, grant extensions of the deadlines described above. Our consent to a site is not a guarantee or assurance as to the availability, suitability or prospects of an Office or Business.
Source: Item 22 — CONTRACTS (FDD page 32)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Counselor Realty's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, the deadline for opening a Counselor Realty office can be extended at the franchisor's discretion. Specifically, after Counselor Realty consents to a proposed site, the franchisee typically has six months to open their business at that location. Failure to meet this deadline results in the termination of the Franchise Agreement, and the initial franchise fee will not be refunded.
However, the FDD states that Counselor Realty may, at its sole discretion, grant extensions of these deadlines. This means that if a franchisee faces legitimate challenges in opening their office within the initial six-month period, they can request an extension from Counselor Realty. The decision to grant an extension is entirely up to Counselor Realty.
This clause provides some flexibility for franchisees who may encounter unforeseen delays, such as construction issues or permitting delays. However, it also introduces an element of uncertainty, as the franchisee cannot rely on an extension being granted. It is important for prospective franchisees to discuss the conditions under which an extension might be granted with Counselor Realty before signing the Franchise Agreement.