Reasonable request refers to a franchisor's or franchisee's demand that is fair, practical, and aligned with the terms of the Franchise Agreement. It must be appropriate under the circumstances and not overly burdensome. In franchising, a reasonable request is judged based on what a typical party would consider fair and acceptable.
Reasonable request in the context of franchising describes an action or demand made by either the franchisor or franchisee that is logical, fair, and justifiable within the framework of the Franchise Agreement. Franchisors often reserve the right to make reasonable requests regarding operational changes, marketing initiatives, or quality control. Similarly, franchisees can make reasonable requests for support, extensions, or clarifications. Whether a request is considered "reasonable" usually depends on industry norms, the wording of the Franchise Agreement, and overall fairness under the circumstances. Disputes sometimes arise over what qualifies as reasonable, and courts will often look at what an average, objective person would conclude is fair under similar conditions.
Additional Definition: Under the Federal Trade Commission Rule, franchisors and their sales representatives are required to provide the Franchise Disclosure Document to a prospective franchisee upon 'reasonable request'. When the FTC issued the amended FTC Rule in 2007, the agency declined to provide a specific definition for the term 'reasonable request,' noting instead that “determinations about ‘reasonableness' can be made only on a case-by-case basis.”
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The use of the term reasonable request in legal and business contexts has deep roots, stemming from common law principles where reasonableness has long been a standard for evaluating behavior. In franchising, the concept gained importance as the industry matured and franchise systems sought a balance between rigid control and flexible business realities. Over time, “reasonable request” clauses began to appear in Franchise Agreements to offer both franchisors and franchisees a way to address unforeseen needs without constant renegotiation. Today, the phrase acts as a legal safeguard to promote cooperation while maintaining necessary operational boundaries.
Reasonable request is an essential concept in franchising that allows both franchisors and franchisees to adapt to changing business needs fairly and appropriately. By maintaining flexibility within a framework of fairness, reasonable requests help preserve strong relationships and brand integrity. Whether addressing updates, support, or operational changes, the principle of the reasonable request ensures cooperation without unnecessary hardship on either party.
