To whom does an Engel & Volkers franchisee assign any amendments or improvements made to the Engel & Volkers System?

According to Engel & Volkers's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, an Engel & Volkers franchisee assigns any amendments or improvements made to the Engel & Volkers System to the Franchisor. The franchisee is not entitled to any compensation for this assignment. This means that any innovations, modifications, or enhancements a franchisee develops while operating their Engel & Volkers franchise become the property of the franchisor.

This clause ensures that Engel & Volkers maintains control over its brand and operating system. By owning all improvements, Engel & Volkers can ensure consistent standards and practices across all franchise locations. This also allows Engel & Volkers to incorporate successful franchisee-developed ideas into the broader system, benefiting all franchisees, although the originating franchisee receives no direct financial benefit.

For a prospective franchisee, this means that while their insights and innovations can contribute to the overall success of the Engel & Volkers system, they will not receive individual compensation or ownership rights for those contributions. This is a fairly standard practice in franchising, as it allows the franchisor to maintain uniformity and protect the brand's intellectual property. Franchisees should consider this when deciding whether to invest in a franchise, as it affects their ability to monetize their own improvements to the system.