Can a Counselor Realty franchisee operate the Business from a location other than the 'Office'?
Counselor_Realty Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
going and the undertakings herein, the parties agree:
1. FRANCHISE.
1.1 Grant.
- (a) We grant you a non-exclusive license to use the System and the Marks to operate one real estate brokerage business (the "Business") at a single site you select, and to which we consent (the "Office"), within the geographic territory designated in Exhibit A to this Franchise Agreement (the "Territory"). You must obtain Counselor's written consent prior to opening or operating any additional Office locations.
- (b) You may apply to open one or more additional offices within your designated Territory (an "Additional Office") by submitting a request to Counselor describing the location of such proposed Additional Office as well as any additional information Counselor may require or request, along with one-time fee of $750 for each Additional Office location (the "Additional Office Application Materials"). After Counselor's receipt of such Additional Office Application Materials (including the one-time fee), Counselor will have 30 days to review the Additional Office Application Materials and proposed Additional Office location and notify you whether or not Counselor consents to your opening of such Additional Office location. Any Additional Office we consent to must comply with all requirements of the Franchise Agreement and then-current System standards.
- (c) You may apply to open one or more additional offices outside of your designated Territory (an "Extension Office") by submitting a request to Counselor describing the location of such proposed Extension Office as well as any additional information Counselor may require or request, along with a one-time fee of $750 for each Extension Office location (the "Extension Office Application Materials"). After Counselor's receipt of such Extension Office Application Materials (including the one-time fee), Counselor will have 30 days to review the Extension Office Application Materials and proposed Extension Office location and notify you whether or not Counselor consents to your opening of such Extension Office location. Counselor's consent to any Extension Office location will be contingent on you and Counselor reaching a mutual agreement as to the minimum number of sales agents that will operate from the Extension Office. Any Extension Office we consent to must comply with all requ
Source: Item 22 — CONTRACTS (FDD page 32)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Counselor Realty's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, a franchisee is granted a non-exclusive license to operate a real estate brokerage business at a single site, referred to as the "Office," which must be approved by Counselor Realty. The franchisee can apply to open additional offices within their designated territory, called "Additional Offices," or outside their territory, known as "Extension Offices."
To open an Additional Office, the franchisee must submit a request to Counselor Realty with the proposed location and any required information, along with a one-time fee of $750 for each location. Counselor Realty then has 30 days to review the application and notify the franchisee of their decision. Similarly, for an Extension Office, the franchisee must submit a request with a $750 fee, and Counselor Realty will review the application within 30 days. Approval for an Extension Office is contingent on reaching a mutual agreement regarding the minimum number of sales agents operating from that office.
Counselor Realty requires that any Additional Office comply with all requirements of the Franchise Agreement and System standards. For Extension Offices, the franchisee must maintain the agreed-upon minimum number of sales agents, including a supervising broker. Failure to maintain this minimum can result in Counselor Realty requiring the franchisee to close the Extension Office or even terminate the Franchise Agreement. It's important to note that franchisees do not receive territorial protections for Extension Offices, and both Counselor Realty and other licensees can provide services nearby. Therefore, while the initial franchise agreement is for a single, approved location, franchisees have the option to expand with Counselor Realty's consent, subject to certain fees and conditions.