What qualifications must personnel employed by an Engel & Volkers franchisee possess?
Engel_Volkers Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
support, advice or resources Franchisor provides to Franchisee in connection with the franchised Business is solely for the purpose of protecting the ENGEL & VÖLKERS System, including the Trademarks, and goodwill associated with the ENGEL & VÖLKERS System and assisting Franchisee in the operation of the franchised Business, and not for the purpose of controlling or in any way exercising or exerting control over Franchisee's decisions or the day-to-day operation of the franchised Business, including Franchisee's personnel-related decisions.
- 6.2 Personnel: Franchisee hereby agrees to employ only qualified personnel with background, experience and credentials customary under best practices and standards in the real estate brokerage industry. Franchisee and, if an entity, at least one of its officers, partners and/or managers, must be licensed as a real estate broker, and every employee, contractor, or Sales Advisor who is involved in real estate activities for Franchisee shall have a real estate broker, salesperson or other appropriate license, if and as required by applicable law, rules or regulations. These employees, contractors, and Sales Advisors must have attended an appropriate training course conducted by Franchisor and have passed related tests. Franchisee is responsible for ensuring that its real estate brokerage is open during local normal business hours for residential real estate brokerages. Franchisee shall be responsible for ensuring that its obligations under this Agreement are observed by its employees,
contractors, and Sales Advisors. Franchisee understands and agrees that Franchisor is not a party to Franchisee's employment contracts (neither as sole, nor as a joint employer) with its own staff and Sales Advisors, and Franchisee shall be solely liable for fulfillment of these contracts in every respect (e.g., deduction and remittance of income taxes, social security contributions, etc.). None of Franchisee's employees, contractors or Sales Advisors will be considered to be Franchisor's employees and Franchisee acknowledges that Franchisor is not in a position to exercise control over Franchisee's employees, contractors or Sales Advisors.
Source: Item 22 — CONTRACTS (FDD page 88)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Engel & Volkers' 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, franchisees must employ only qualified personnel. These personnel should have backgrounds, experience, and credentials that align with the best practices and standards of the real estate brokerage industry. If the franchisee is an entity, at least one officer, partner, or manager must be licensed as a real estate broker. Every employee, contractor, or Sales Advisor involved in real estate activities must hold the appropriate real estate license (broker, salesperson, etc.) as required by law.
Engel & Volkers requires that these employees, contractors, and Sales Advisors attend a training course conducted by Engel & Volkers and pass related tests. Additionally, at least one person in an administrative role supporting the Sales Advisors must attend the Engel & Völkers Support Path Training (SPT) before the franchise's opening date, and there must always be at least one person working at the franchised Business who has attended SPT.
Engel & Volkers may also require franchisees, staff, and Sales Advisors to attend additional training courses as part of the Engel & Völkers training program. These requirements and training offerings may change over time, and Engel & Volkers is not obligated to maintain any specific training programs. The franchisee is responsible for ensuring the real estate brokerage is open during local normal business hours and that all employees observe the obligations under the franchise agreement. The franchisee bears all costs associated with training, including travel, accommodation, food, out-of-pocket expenses, and salaries or compensation for staff members or Sales Advisors.