Does Engel & Volkers require approval of the location before signing a lease?

According to Engel & Volkers's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, if you do not own building space for your business, you must lease or purchase the business premises. Before signing a lease, your real estate brokerage location must be an appropriate location approved by Engel & Volkers. Engel & Volkers recommends that the size of the real estate brokerage be approximately 750 to 2,000 square feet.

This requirement means that prospective Engel & Volkers franchisees need to get location approval before committing to a lease. This protects both the franchisee and Engel & Volkers by ensuring the location meets the brand's standards and is suitable for business operations. Franchisees should factor in the time it takes to get approval when planning their launch timeline.

Additionally, the FDD states that franchisees might incur build-out costs if the interior and/or exterior of their location does not meet Engel & Volkers's design specifications as set forth in the System Documentation. These specifications are provided after signing the Franchise Agreement. This highlights the importance of understanding the design and build-out requirements to avoid unexpected expenses. Franchisees should discuss these potential costs with Engel & Volkers during the site selection process.