Does a change-of-control clause apply if I'm just adding a business partner, not selling the franchise outright?

Possibly, and this is worth checking carefully rather than assuming it doesn't apply just because you're not doing a full sale. Many franchise agreements define "transfer" broadly enough to capture a change-of-control event — a partner acquiring a significant enough share of the corporation that holds the franchise — even where you personally remain involved and no outright sale to an outsider is happening. The clause is usually triggered by the change in ownership or control itself, not by whether you're stepping away from the business entirely.

Whether adding a specific partner at a specific ownership percentage actually crosses whatever threshold your agreement sets is a question of the clause's precise wording, and thresholds vary meaningfully between franchise systems — some trigger on any change at all, others only above a stated percentage of shares or voting control.

Because triggering a change-of-control clause without realizing it can put you in breach of your franchise agreement, review this clause before finalizing any partnership arrangement. A Treadstone business lawyer can confirm whether your specific plan requires franchisor consent.