Must an Itan franchisee hire an architect to prepare design plans for the Salon?

According to Itan's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, franchisees are required to hire an architect to prepare design plans for their salon. Specifically, the franchisee must hire an architect to prepare initial design plans and detailed construction plans for the construction of the Salon.

The FDD states that Itan must approve all plans before construction begins. Once approved, the franchisee must construct and equip their Salon according to the approved plans and the specifications in the Manual. The architect and general contractor must be appropriately licensed and bonded to the extent required by applicable law.

Itan may also require that the franchisee utilize an architect that they designate or approve. This means that while franchisees are generally free to choose their own architect, Itan retains the right to mandate the use of a specific architect or a pre-approved list of architects. This ensures that the design and construction align with Itan's brand standards and operational requirements.

This requirement ensures uniformity and quality across all Itan locations, but it also means franchisees must factor in the cost of architectural services when budgeting for the initial setup of their salon. Furthermore, the potential restriction on architect choice could limit flexibility and potentially increase costs if Itan's designated architects are more expensive.