Does Lees Famous Recipe approve or deny the opening of a Lees Famous Recipe Restaurant?
Lees_Famous_Recipe Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
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- We will provide a copy of one set of preliminary architectural plans and/or written specifications for a Traditional Stand-alone Lee's Famous Recipe Restaurant when we accept a proposed site for use by you and your architect. We do not provide preliminary architectural plans for Streamlined and Non-traditional locations. We will either designate or approve the licensed architect that you use in constructing the Restaurant. We must further approve all proposed modifications to our basic plans and specifications before the start of construction. We will also provide approve and deny your opening of the Restaurant once construction is complete (Franchise Agreement – Sections 6(E), 6(G));
Source: Item 11 — FRANCHISOR'S ASSISTANCE, ADVERTISING, COMPUTER SYSTEMS, AND TRAINING (FDD pages 34–47)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to the 2025 Lees Famous Recipe Franchise Disclosure Document, Lees Famous Recipe retains the right to approve or deny the opening of a franchisee's restaurant after construction is completed. This is part of the franchisor's oversight in ensuring that each location meets brand standards and is ready to properly serve customers.
Prior to construction, Lees Famous Recipe also requires franchisees to submit materials and information related to the proposed site, including a description of the proposed location and a feasibility study. Lees Famous Recipe will review these materials and use them as a basis for approving or denying the proposed site. The franchisor's representatives will examine the proposed location and consult with the franchisee, based upon experience and a study of population, traffic count, information concerning income level of residents and housing costs, and any other information available relative to the proposed location.
This approval process is typical in franchising, as it allows Lees Famous Recipe to maintain consistency and quality across all of its locations. For a prospective franchisee, this means that the franchisor will be closely involved in the site selection and construction phases, and the franchisee will need to meet all of Lees Famous Recipe's requirements before being allowed to open for business. Franchisees should factor in the time required for these approvals when planning their opening timeline. Lees Famous Recipe estimates the typical time between signing the Franchise Agreement and opening a restaurant ranges from 120 to 365 days.