How long does Ella Cafe have to notify a franchisee whether a proposed site is approved?
Ella_Cafe Franchise · 2024 FDDAnswer from 2024 FDD Document
Within 30 days of receiving Franchisee's site application and all additional requested information, Franchisor will notify Franchisee whether or not the site is approved.
If Franchisor does not provide notification within the 30-day time period, its silence is neither approval nor rejection of the site.
Franchisor's approval of a site does not constitute a representation, promise, warranty, or guarantee, express or implied, that the Coffee House will achieve a certain sales volume or level of profitability or will otherwise be successful; it means only that the proposed site meets Franchisor's minimum criteria for the Coffee House.
Source: Item 22 — CONTRACTS (FDD page 50)
What This Means (2024 FDD)
According to Ella Cafe's 2024 Franchise Disclosure Document, once a franchisee submits a site application with all required information, Ella Cafe has 30 days to notify the franchisee whether the proposed site is approved or not.
It's important to note that if Ella Cafe does not provide notification within this 30-day timeframe, it does not automatically mean the site is approved. The FDD states that silence from Ella Cafe is considered neither an approval nor a rejection of the site. This means the franchisee will need to follow up to get a definitive answer.
Furthermore, Ella Cafe's approval of a site does not guarantee the success or profitability of the Coffee House. The approval only indicates that the proposed site meets Ella Cafe's minimum criteria for a location. The franchisee is ultimately responsible for the site selection and its potential success.