Is Engel & Volkers' approval required for the location from which I operate my Engel & Volkers Residential Real Estate Brokerage?
Engel_Volkers Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
AND TRAINING**
Except as listed below, we are not required to provide you with any assistance.
Pre-Opening Site Selection Obligations
We do not provide you with assistance in locating a site or negotiating the purchase or lease of a site whether you are franchising a start-up real estate brokerage, or are a conversion franchisee. We must approve any location you select. You cannot operate your Residential Real Estate Brokerage if we have not approved the location of your business. In approving your location, we will consider general location and neighborhood, traffic patterns, parking, size, physical characteristics of existing buildings, and lease terms. Our approval of a location is focused only on whether the location meets our brand standards.
We will approve or reject any location you propose within two weeks after you provide us with all information necessary for us to evaluate the location. We may not withhold our approval without good cause. You must present a location that meets the requirements of the Engel & Völkers System. If we do not approve a location you propose, you must then propose another location. If you do not find a location acceptable to us within 6 months of signing your Franchise Agreement, we may terminate the Franchise Agreement unless you show that it was by all means impossible to find appropriate premises within that period.
Other Pre-Opening Obligations
Before you open your franchised business, we will:
- (1) Designate your Protected Area.
Source: Item 11 — FRANCHISOR'S ASSISTANCE, ADVERTISING, COMPUTER SYSTEMS, AND TRAINING (FDD pages 43–54)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Engel & Volkers' 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, you must have Engel & Volkers' approval to operate your Residential Real Estate Brokerage. Engel & Volkers does not assist in site selection or lease negotiation, whether you are starting a new brokerage or converting an existing one. However, Engel & Volkers must approve any location you select. You cannot operate your Residential Real Estate Brokerage if Engel & Volkers has not approved the location of your business. Engel & Volkers will consider factors such as the general location, neighborhood, traffic patterns, parking, size, physical characteristics of existing buildings, and lease terms.
Engel & Volkers' approval focuses on whether the location meets their brand standards. They will approve or reject your proposed location within two weeks of receiving all necessary information. Engel & Volkers may not withhold approval without good cause, but you must present a location that meets the requirements of the Engel & Volkers System.
If Engel & Volkers does not approve your proposed location, you must propose another one. If you cannot find a location acceptable to Engel & Volkers within 6 months of signing the Franchise Agreement, Engel & Volkers may terminate the agreement, unless you can demonstrate that it was impossible to find appropriate premises within that period. Any location you operate your Engel & Volkers Residential Real Estate Brokerage from must first be approved by them.