Master Franchise Agreement
Master Franchise Agreement
Master Franchise Agreement
[COMPLETE ADDRESS]
WHEREAS, the Company and certain of its Affiliates own and operate certain proprietary and
other property rights and interests of [FRANCHISE NAME] throughout [COUNTRY] which,
among other things, rent, sell and market [PRODUCT/SERVICE] to the [GENERAL PUBLIC
OR COMPANIES OR GOVERNMENT]; and
WHEREAS, the Company and certain of its Affiliates acquire, produce, licence market and sell
[PRODUCT/SERVICE]; and
WHEREAS, the Company's processes, trade secrets and procedures for the operation of
[FRANCHISED BUSINESS], including advertising, sales techniques, materials, signs, exterior
decoration and decor, personnel management and control systems, bookkeeping and accounting
methods, and in general, a style, system and method of business operation developed through
and by reason of its prior business experience (the “System”).
WHEREAS, the Company desires to expand and develop the Franchised Business, and seeks a
Master Franchisee who will open and operate, or procure and assist Subfranchisee s
(“Subfranchisees”) to open and operate, numerous [FRANCHISE NAME] conducting business
under the Trademarks and System within the Development Area, as defined herein.
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Master Franchise Agreement
WHEREAS, the Subfranchisor desires to build and operate [FRANCHISE NAME], and procure,
qualify, train and assist Subfranchisees to build and operate [FRANCHISED BUSINESS], and
Company desires to grant to the Subfranchisor the right to build and operate, and procure,
qualify, train and assist the Subfranchisees to build and operate, [FRANCHISED BUSINESS] in
accordance with the terms and upon the conditions contained in this Agreement.
NOW, THEREFORE, based on the above premises and in consideration of the covenants and
agreements contained herein, and intending to be legally bound, the parties agree hereto as
follows:
The Company hereby grants to the Subfranchisor, and the Subfranchisor hereby accepts, the
right during the Term to open and operate [FRANCHISED BUSINESS], and to procure, screen,
qualify, train and assist Subfranchisees to open and operate [FRANCHISED BUSINESS], in the
Development Area more fully described in Appendix “A” which is annexed hereto and by this
reference made a part hereof, upon the terms and subject to the conditions of this Agreement.
2. AGREEMENT TERM
The term of this Agreement will be for the period (the "Term"), commencing as of the date of
this Agreement. Each year of the Term, as measured from the date of this Agreement, is a
"Contract Year."
If the Company will determine that further development of the Development Area following the
Term is desirable, the Company will notify the Subfranchisor in writing at least [NUMBER OF
MONTHS] prior to the expiration of the Term, of Company's intention to develop additional
[FRANCHISED BUSINESSES] in the Development Area and deliver a plan for such
development over a five-year period. Subject to the conditions set forth in Section 2.2 of this
Agreement, the Subfranchisor will have a prior right to undertake the additional development
which the Company will have set forth in its notice to the Subfranchisor, which right of
additional development will be exercised only in accordance with Section 2.3. Such right of
additional development by the Subfranchisor will arise upon the expiration of each successive
Master Franchise agreement between the Company and the Subfranchisor for so long as the
Company concludes that development of additional [FRANCHISED BUSINESSES] is
commercially appropriate in the Development Area. Subject to the rights of first refusal set forth
in subparagraph (a) below, if such right of additional development is not exercised by the
Subfranchisor, the Company or its nominee(s) may construct, equip, open and operate additional
[FRANCHISED BUSINESSES] in the Development Area upon the expiration of the Term.
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Master Franchise Agreement
2.1.1 If the Company will have notified the Subfranchisor prior to the expiration of
the Term that further development of the Development Area is not then
desirable, the Company's right to construct, equip, open and operate additional
[FRANCHISED BUSINESSES] in the Development Area, or to licence any
third party to do so, will be subject to the Subfranchisor's right of first refusal
with respect thereto, which will be exercised, if at all, in the following manner:
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Master Franchise Agreement
effect between the Company and the Subfranchisor pursuant to
Section 6.5 below.
At the time the Company delivers to the Subfranchisor the Company's written notice of its
intention to undertake additional development in the Development Area, the Company will also
deliver to the Subfranchisor two (2) copies of the then-current Master Franchise agreement. The
new Master Franchise agreement, which may vary substantially from this Agreement, will reflect
the Subfranchisor's new development obligation consistent with the Company's plan for
additional development set forth in its notice to the Subfranchisor. Within thirty (30) days after
the Subfranchisor's receipt of the new Master Franchise agreement, the Subfranchisor will
execute two (2) copies of the Master Franchise agreement and return them to the Company. If
the Subfranchisor has so executed and returned the copies and has satisfied the conditions set
forth in Section 4.5, the Company will execute the copies and return one fully executed copy to
the Subfranchisor.
The Subfranchisor's right to additional development described in Section 2.2 will be subject to
the Subfranchisor's fulfilment of the following conditions precedent:
2.3.1 The Subfranchisor will have strictly performed all of its obligations under this
Agreement and all other agreements between the Company and the
Subfranchisor including but not limited to the Area Development Agreements
and all Franchise Agreements between the Company, or an affiliate of the
Company, and the Subfranchisor, or an affiliate of the Subfranchisor.
2.3.3 The Subfranchisor and its Subfranchisees will collectively continue to operate,
in the Development Area, a total number of [FRANCHISED BUSINESSES]
equal to or greater than the number required by the Minimum Development
Obligation to be owned and operated by the Subfranchisor and the
Subfranchisees at the expiration of the Term.
3.1.1 The Subfranchisor will construct, equip, open and continue to operate, and
procure, screen, qualify, train and assist the Subfranchisees to construct, equip,
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open and operate, within the Development Area, not less than the cumulative
number of [FRANCHISED BUSINESSES] set forth in Appendix “B”, which
is appended hereto and by this reference made a part hereof, in the manner and
within each of the time periods (the “Development Periods”) specified therein
(the “Minimum Development Obligation”).
3.1.2 Each Franchise opened within the Development Area will be the subject of a
separate agreement. In the case of the Subfranchisor franchises, the Company
and the Subfranchisor will enter into a Franchise Agreement. In the case of
[FRANCHISED BUSINESSES] operated by the Subfranchisees who are
procured, qualified, trained and assisted by the Subfranchisor pursuant hereto,
the Subfranchisor and such third party Subfranchisees will enter into a
Subfranchise Agreement.
The responsibities and obligations of the parties hereunder may be suspended upon the
occurrence and continuation of any "Event of Force Majeure" which inhibits or prevents
performance hereunder, and for a reasonable start-up period thereafter. An "Event of Force
Majeure" will mean any act, cause, contingency or circumstance beyond the reasonable control
of such party (whether or not reasonably foreseeable), including, without limitation, to the extent
beyond the reasonable control of such party, any governmental action, nationalisation,
expropriation, confiscation, seizure, allocation, embargo, prohibition of import or export of
goods or products, regulation, order or restriction (whether foreign, national or state), war
(whether or not declared), civil commotion, disobedience or unrest, insurrection, public strike,
riot or revolution, lack or shortage of, or inability to obtain, any labour, machinery, materials,
fuel, supplies or equipment from normal sources of supply, strike, work stoppage or slowdown,
lockout or other labour dispute, fire, flood, earthquake, drought or other natural calamity,
weather or damage or destruction to plants and/or equipment, commandeering of vessels or other
carriers resulting from acts of God, or any other accident, condition, cause, contingency or
circumstances including (without limitation, acts of God) within or without [COUNTRY].
Neither party will, in any manner whatsoever, be liable or otherwise responsible for any delay or
default in, or failure of, performance resulting from or arising out of or in connection with any
Event of Force Majeure and no such delay, default in, or failure of, performance will constitute a
breach by either party hereunder. As soon as reasonably possible following the occurrence of an
Event of Force Majeure, the affected party will notify the other party, in writing, as to the date
and nature of such Event of Force Majeure and the effects of same. If any Event of Force
Majeure will prevent the performance of a material obligation of either party hereunder, and if
the same will have continued for a period of longer than [SPECIFY] days, then either party
hereto will have the right to end this Agreement by written notice to the other party hereto.
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4. EXCLUSIVITY
For so long as this Agreement will remain in effect, the Company will not operate, or grant a
franchise to any person other than the Subfranchisor to operate any Franchise in the
Development Area.
5.1 Training
5.1.1 Within one (1) year following the effective date hereof, the Subfranchisor will
construct, equip, open and commence to operate at least one (1) Franchise,
which will function as both a Franchise and as a training facility for the
Subfranchisor's employees, and for the owners and employees of the
Subfranchisees. Thereafter, the Subfranchisor will continuously open, own and
operate the number of Franchises required to be opened by the Subfranchisor
(“Subfranchisor Franchises”) as described in Appendix “B”, and at least one
(1) of such Franchises will be a training facility for the first ten (10) Franchises
operating in the Development Area with an additional Subfranchisor Franchise
being designated as a training facility on each occasion that the Subfranchisor
commences developing each successive group of ten (10) Franchises. The
Subfranchisor will train the Subfranchisees' and the Subfranchisor's employees
in accordance with the terms of the individual Franchise Agreement or the
Subfranchise Agreement for each Franchise in the Development Area and will
operate such training facility or facilities according to the standards, policies
and procedures prescribed by the Company in the Operations Manual and any
other written communications from the Company to the Subfranchisor from
time to time.
5.1.2 Not later than one hundred and twenty (120) days after the date of this
Agreement, the Company will instruct the Subfranchisor in the Company's
System by providing an initial training programme at an existing Franchised
Business and/or at the Company's corporate offices, or at such other location as
the parties may mutually agree, for such of the Subfranchisor's management
and supervisory personnel as the Subfranchisor may reasonably designate. The
Subfranchisor will bear all travel and living expenses of its said personnel in
connection with such initial training. The number and type of personnel to be
used by the Company to provide training will be wholly within the discretion
of the Company, provided, however, that such persons (“Company Trainers”)
will be sufficiently knowledgeable and capable, individually or together with
other such persons, to provide instruction and training regarding sales
promotion, and methods of operating the Franchised Business. Such initial
training programme will be of such duration, as the Company will determine to
be necessary to enable the Subfranchisor to perform its obligations and to
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operate the Franchised Business pursuant hereto.
5.1.4 The Subfranchisor will have the right at any time after the first visit described
in subsection (c) above to request the Company to provide training or operating
assistance in the Development Area; when so requested, the Company will
provide personnel for such purposes, subject to their prior commitments, in
such number and pursuant to such schedule as the Company and the
Subfranchisor may mutually agree.
5.1.5 In connection with any of the visits to the Development Area described in this
Section, the Subfranchisor will advance or reimburse the Company, at the
Company's election, for all travel, lodging, meals, and other living expenses,
reasonably incurred by the Company and its employees.
The Company v provide to the Subfranchisor, at no additional cost, within ninety (90) days after
the Subfranchisor's completion of the initial training programme described in Section 5.1, an
initial package of materials described in Appendix “C” which is attached hereto and incorporated
herein by reference. The initial materials to be provided by the Company pursuant to this Section
5.2 do not constitute all of the materials, supplies, and services that will be necessary in order to
conduct the Franchised Business.
5.3.1 The Company will provide to the Subfranchisor, concurrently with the
commencement of the Subfranchisor's training programme described in Section
5.1, one (1) copy of the Company's subfranchising manual (the
“Subfranchising Manual”), one (1) copy of the Policies and Procedures Manual
(the “Operations Manual”), and (collectively referred to as the “Manuals”).
The Subfranchisor will conduct all subfranchising activities and all business
activities and will cause its Subfranchisee’s to conduct their business activities,
in strict accordance with the Company's standard operational methods and
procedures as prescribed from time to time in the Manuals. As used herein, the
term “Manuals” will be deemed to include the Manuals so delivered to the
Subfranchisor, all amendments thereto, and all supplemental bulletins, notices
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Master Franchise Agreement
and memoranda which prescribe standard methods or techniques of operation,
and which the Company may from time to time deliver to the Subfranchisor.
The provisions and requirements set forth in the Manuals, and any additions,
deletions or revisions thereto, will not, in any event, alter the Subfranchisor's
fundamental/material rights and obligations under this Agreement.
5.3.2 The Company will have the right to modify or supplement the Manuals. Such
modifications and supplements, which may include, without limitation,
requirements to upgrade computer equipment, will become effective and
binding on the Subfranchisor fifteen (15) days after notice thereof is mailed or
otherwise delivered to the Subfranchisor.
5.3.3 The Manuals are the property of the Company, and may not be duplicated,
copied, disclosed or disseminated in whole or in part in any manner except
with the Company's express prior written consent. The Subfranchisor will
preserve the confidentiality and contents of the Manuals. Upon the termination
of this Agreement, the Subfranchisor will return to the Company all copies of
the Manuals in its possession or control.
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other contract without the Company's prior written approval.
5.5.6 The Subfranchisor will deliver to the Company a copy of all correspondence
with the Subfranchisees which asserts a breach or termination of a
Subfranchise Agreement, and all other correspondence with the Subfranchisees
which is material to the franchise relationship, concurrently with its being sent
or received by the Subfranchisor.
5.5.7 The Subfranchisor will not end any Subfranchise Agreement with any
Subfranchisee without the prior consent of the Company. The Subfranchisor
will, upon the request of the Company, end any Subfranchise Agreement with
respect to which the Subfranchisee has engaged in a gross, repeated, or
continuous failure to comply with the terms of the Subfranchise Agreement.
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5.6 Approval of Subfranchisor's Franchise Sites, and Execution of Franchise Agreement
5.6.1.1 The initial franchise fees and continuing royalties payable by the
Subfranchisor will be determined in accordance with sections 6.2 and 6.3
below; and
5.6.1.2 The Company will not have the continuing obligation to provide to the
Subfranchisor any training, service and assistance to the extent that such
training, service and assistance is customarily provided or required to be
provided by the Subfranchisor to the Subfranchisees in the Development
Area.
5.6.2 After the Subfranchisor has located a site (for construction) of a proposed
Subfranchisor Franchise, the Subfranchisor will submit to the Company such
information regarding the proposed site as the Company will require, in the form
which the Company will from time to time require, together with the terms and
conditions of any proposed lease or purchase relating to such site. The Company
may seek such additional information as it deems necessary within thirty (30)
days of submission of the prospective site, and the Master Franchise will respond
promptly to such request for additional information. If the Company will not
reject the site in writing within thirty (30) days, or within thirty (30) days after a
receipt of such additional information, the site will be deemed approved. The
Company will not unreasonably reject a proposed site nor unreasonably delay its
approval or disapproval thereof.
5.6.3 Promptly after approval of any site, the Company will deliver to the
Subfranchisor two (2) execution copies of its then current Franchise Agreement
pertaining to the approved site and providing for an exclusive territory
surrounding said Franchise, as determined by the Company in good faith, in
accordance with the Company's then-current policies and standards for exclusive
territories for similarly situated Franchises. The Subfranchisor will promptly
execute and return two (2) copies each of said Franchise Agreement together with
the initial franchise fee payable pursuant to Section 6.1 below. The Subfranchisor
will then procure the site by purchase or lease as submitted, and return an
executed copy of the lease or other evidence of the Subfranchisor's right to occupy
the approved site.
5.6.4 The Company will, promptly upon receipt of said documents and initial franchise
fee, execute and return to the Subfranchisor one (1) copy each of the Franchise
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Agreement. The Subfranchisor will then commence construction and operation of
the Franchise pursuant to the terms of the Franchise Agreement.
It will be a condition precedent to the Company's obligations pursuant to Section 5.6, that (a) the
Subfranchisor will have performed all of its obligations under and pursuant to this Agreement
and all other agreements between the Subfranchisor and the Company, including but not limited
to the Area Development Agreements and all Franchise Agreements entered into between the
Company and the Subfranchisor; and (b) the Subfranchisor will cause such individuals who are
the ultimate shareholders of the Subfranchisor or its parent company(ies) to execute the
Company's standard form of unconditional guarantee of all of the obligations of the
Subfranchisor or any subsidiary, as applicable, under any such Franchise Agreement.
The Subfranchisor will conduct inspections of all of the Franchises in the Development Area,
and of its operations and the operations of all Subfranchisees, in accordance with the standards
from time to time established by the Company, upon such schedules and according to such
procedures as will be agreed upon by the Company and the Subfranchisor, acting in good faith,
but, in any event, at least once during each calendar quarter, the Subfranchisor will provide
reports to the Company with respect to the findings of such inspections, in such form and at such
times as the Company will require.
The Subfranchisor will participate in all promotion and marketing activities required by the
Company of its area developers, as required in the Franchise Agreements or otherwise.
5.10.1 The Subfranchisor will provide all Subfranchisees with such assistance and
services as the Company will reasonably request and require from time to time in
connection with the construction, equipping and opening of the Franchises within
the Development Area, the sourcing of equipment, fixtures, furnishings, inventory
and supplies for such Franchises, the advertising and promotion of such
Franchises, and the supervision of the use, and compliance with the Company's
quality control standards in the use, of the Trademarks at such Franchises.
5.10.2 The Company will make available to the Subfranchisor the benefits of the
Company's information, experience, advice, guidance, and know-how, and, upon
the Subfranchisor's reasonable request, the Company will counsel and assist the
Subfranchisor with respect to the management and operations of its Franchised
Business.
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Master Franchise Agreement
6. PAYMENTS BY MASTER FRANCHISEE AND COMPENSATIONS FOR
SERVICES
The Subfranchisor will pay to the Company a non-refundable Master Franchise Fee of [R]
payable upon the execution hereof.
The Subfranchisor will pay to the Company an initial franchise fee upon execution of each
Franchise Agreement entered into between the Company and the Subfranchisor equal to the (i)
greater of [R], or (ii) [%] per cent of the initial franchise fee then being charged by the
Subfranchisor to its Subfranchisees.
The Subfranchisor will pay a monthly Continuing Royalty pursuant to each Franchise Agreement
entered into between the Company and the Subfranchisor in an amount equal to per cent [%] of
the “Gross Sales” (as such term is defined in the Franchise Agreement) of the Franchise which is
the subject of such Franchise Agreement, during the period for which such fee is payable.
6.4.1 The Subfranchisor will pay to the Company within five (5) days following the
execution of each Subfranchise Agreement, an amount equal to (i) [%] per cent of
the amount payable by the Subfranchisees to the Subfranchisor as the initial
franchise fee under each Subfranchise Agreement entered into between the
Subfranchisor and a Subfranchisee, or (ii) [R], whichever is greater.
6.4.2 In addition, on or before the tenth (10th) day of each month, the Subfranchisor
will pay to the Company an amount equal to (i) [%] per cent of the monthly
continuing royalties paid during the preceding month by all Subfranchisees
pursuant to Subfranchise Agreements entered into pursuant to Section 5.4. or (ii)
[%] per cent of the Gross Sales of all Subfranchisees; whichever is greater.
6.4.3 In the event any Subfranchisee who enters into a Subfranchise Agreement
pursuant to Section 5.4 pays a transfer fee thereunder, the Subfranchisor will pay
Company a sum equal to [%] per cent of the amount of the transfer fee paid by
such Subfranchisee.
6.4.4 Any amounts not paid to the Company when due will bear interest until paid at
the rate of [%] per cent per annum. The Subfranchisor will take all necessary steps
promptly to collect sums due from Subfranchisees pursuant to Subfranchise
Agreements.
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6.5 Management Agreement
If the Company and the Subfranchisor will not have entered into a new Master Franchise
agreement prior to the expiration of the Term hereof pursuant to Paragraphs 2.2 and 2.3 hereof,
and if the Subfranchisor otherwise has strictly performed all of its obligations under this
Agreement and all other agreements between the Company and the Subfranchisor, upon the
expiration of this Agreement, the Company will offer the Subfranchisor the right to enter into a
management agreement, effective as of the expiration of the Term hereof, pursuant to which the
Subfranchisor will have the continuing right to supervise and provide services to Subfranchisees
within the Development Area and to receive compensation therefore upon the terms described
therein.
7. TRADEMARKS
7.1 Ownership
The Company will own all right, title, and interest to the Trademarks, and to all applications,
registrations, and other filings or notices which may be made with respect thereto in any
jurisdiction, provided that the Subfranchisor will be a licensee pursuant to individual Franchise
Agreements in accordance with the terms and conditions set forth herein.
The Subfranchisor will not do or permit any act or thing to be done in derogation of any of the
rights of the Company in connection with the Trademarks, either during the term of this
Agreement or after, and the Subfranchisor will use the Trademarks only for the uses and in the
manner licenced or franchised or both under, and as provided in, this Agreement.
During or after the term of this Agreement, the Subfranchisor will not in any way dispute or
impugn the validity of the Trademarks, or the rights of the Company to them, or the rights of the
Company or other franchisees of the Company to use them.
Upon the termination of this Agreement for any reason, the Subfranchisor will forthwith deliver
and surrender up to the Company each and all of the Trademarks, and any physical objects
bearing or containing any of the Trademarks. Alternatively, at the Company's election, the
Subfranchisor will obliterate or destroy any Trademarks in the Subfranchisor's possession.
If the Subfranchisor is a company, it will not use any of the Trademarks or the Company's trade
name, or any words or symbols that are confusingly similar to them, in whole or in part, in the
Subfranchisor's company name without the Company's prior written consent. In particular, the
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Subfranchisor will not use the words [FRANCHISE NAME] or any variant as part of the
Subfranchisor's company name without first obtaining the Company's express written consent.
The Subfranchisor acknowledges that there will be substantial confusion among the public if,
after the termination of this Agreement, the Subfranchisor continues to use the telephone number
listed in the telephone directory under the name [FRANCHISE NAME], or some other name
confusingly similar thereto. Accordingly, effective upon the expiration or termination of this
Agreement for any reason whatsoever, the Subfranchisor will direct the telephone company
servicing the Subfranchisor to disconnect the telephone number listed under the Company name
in the then-current telephone directory or transfer such number to the Company or to such person
and location as the Company directs. If the Subfranchisor fails to promptly so direct the
telephone company in accordance with the Company’s instructions, the Subfranchisor hereby
irrevocably appoints the Company as attorney-in-fact to direct the telephone company to make
such transfer. The Subfranchisor understands and agrees that notwithstanding any billing
arrangements with any telephone company or yellow pages directory company, the Company
will be deemed for purposes hereof to be the subscriber of such telephone numbers, with full
authority to instruct the applicable telephone or yellow pages directory company as to the use
and disposition of telephone listings and numbers. The Subfranchisor hereby agrees to release,
indemnify and hold such companies harmless from any damages or loss on account of following
the Company's said instructions.
From time to time, in the Manuals, or in directives or bulletins supplemental to them, the
Company may change, improve or modify the Trademarks. The Subfranchisor will accept, use,
and display, as may be applicable, such modified Trademarks in accordance with the procedures,
policies, rules and regulations contained in the Manuals, as though they were specifically set
forth in this Agreement.
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7.9 Conflicting and Alternative Names
The Company and the Subfranchisor agree that in the event that the Subfranchisor or any of its
Subfranchisees will be enjoined, restrained, or otherwise prevented from operating under the
Company name or service marks or associated logotypes in the Development Area as a result of
a binding order entered by any court of competent jurisdiction, the Subfranchisor and/or its
Subfranchisees may thereafter operate under such alternative names, service marks and/or
associated logotypes as are reasonably acceptable to the Company. Such right will be the sole
remedy of the Subfranchisor and its Subfranchisees in such event, and the Subfranchisor will
hold the Company harmless from any claims by the Subfranchisor or its Subfranchisees with
respect thereto.
If the Subfranchisor receives notice or is informed or learns that any third party, which the
Subfranchisor believes to be unauthorised to use the Trademarks, is using the Trademarks or any
variant of them, the Subfranchisor will promptly notify the Company of the facts relating to such
alleged infringing use. Thereupon, the Company, in its sole discretion, will determine whether or
not it wishes to take any action against such third person on account of such alleged
infringement. The Subfranchisor will have no right to make any demand against any such alleged
infringer or to prosecute any claim of any kind or nature whatsoever against such alleged
infringer for or on account of such infringement.
The Subfranchisor has no right, title or interest in or to any of the Trademarks, except as granted
to it in this Agreement. The Subfranchisor acknowledges that the Subfranchisor now asserts no
claim and later will assert no claim to any goodwill, reputation or ownership of the Trademarks
by virtue of the Subfranchisor's licenced or franchised use or both of them, or otherwise.
8. ASSIGNABILITY
8.1.1 The Company will have the right, but not the obligation, to cause a Company
subsidiary or affiliate to perform any or all of its obligations and exercise any or
all of the Company's rights hereunder and under any Franchise Agreement, and to
require the Subfranchisor to perform any or all of its obligations hereunder or
under any Franchise Agreement, in favour of such subsidiary or affiliate, by
delivery of written notice thereof to the Subfranchisor and Subfranchisee. The
Company hereby guarantees those obligations it causes the subsidiary or affiliate
to perform.
8.1.2 The Company will have the right to assign this Agreement, or any of its rights
and privileges hereunder to any other person, firm or company, other than a
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Company subsidiary or affiliate, without the Subfranchisor's prior consent, and the
Company will not be liable for any obligations accruing hereunder after the
effective date of such assignment; provided the assignee will expressly assume
and agree to perform the Company's obligations under this Agreement and is
reasonably capable of performing them.
8.2.1 This Agreement has been entered into by the Company in reliance upon and in
consideration of the singular personal skills and qualifications of the
Subfranchisor and the trust and confidence reposed in the Subfranchisor or, in the
case of a company or partnership subfranchisor, the principal officers or partners
thereof who will actively and substantially participate in the ownership and
operation of the area development franchise as contemplated by this Agreement.
Therefore, neither the Subfranchisor's interest in this Agreement nor any of its
rights or privileges hereunder will be assigned or transferred, voluntarily or
involuntarily, in whole or in part, by operation of law or otherwise, in any manner,
without the prior written approval of the Company.
8.2.2 The Company may impose any reasonable condition(s) to the granting of its
consent to such assignment. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the
imposition by the Company of any or all of the following conditions to its consent
to any such assignment will be deemed to be reasonable:
8.2.2.1 that the assignee (or the principal officers, shareholders, directors or
general partners of the assignee in the case of a company or partnership
assignee) demonstrate that it has the skills, qualifications and economic
resources necessary, in the Company's judgment, reasonably exercised, to
own and operate the area development Franchised Business contemplated
by this Agreement, and by all other agreements which may then be in
effect between the Company and such assignee, and by all other
agreements proposed to be assigned to such assignee including but not
limited to all Franchise Agreements and Franchise Agreements;
8.2.2.2 that such assignment will include an assignment of all of the assignor's
rights and interest in each and every then existing Franchise Agreement
and the Subfranchise Agreement to the same assignee, and that the
assignee will expressly assume in writing for the benefit of the Company
all of the obligations of the Subfranchisor under this Agreement and all
other agreements proposed to be assigned to such assignee;
8.2.2.3 that the assignee will have completed the Company's training programme
to the Company's satisfaction, exercised in good faith;
8.2.2.4 that as of the date of any such assignment, the assignor will have strictly
complied with all of its obligations to the Company, whether under this
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Agreement or any other agreement, arrangement or understanding with
the Company;
8.2.2.5 that the assignee is not then in default of any of obligation to the
Company under any agreement between such assignee and the Company;
8.2.2.6 that the assignor or assignee will pay to the Company a transfer fee of [R]
which is reasonably required to cover the Company's expenses relating to
said assignment and a training fee of [R].
8.2.3 The Subfranchisor will not, in any event, have the right to pledge, encumber,
charge, hypothecate or otherwise give any third party a security interest in this
Agreement in any manner whatsoever without the express prior written
permission of the Company, which permission may be withheld for any reason
whatsoever in the Company's sole subjective judgment.
9. NON-COMPETITION
9.1 In Term
Except as expressly set forth in Appendix “E” hereto, during the term of this Agreement, neither
the Subfranchisor, nor any officer, director, controlling shareholder, or direct or indirect parent
or subsidiary company, or general or limited partner of a company or partnership the
Subfranchisor, will either directly or indirectly, own, operate, advise, be employed by, or have
any interest in any business whether located within or outside the Development Area that
features [PRODUCT/SERVICE DESCRIPTION], unless the Company will first consent thereto
in writing.
9.2 Post-Term
Except as expressly set forth in Appendix “E” hereto, following the assignment, expiration or
termination hereof, for any reason, neither the Subfranchisor, nor any officer, director,
shareholder, direct or indirect parent or subsidiary company, or general or limited partner of a
company or partnership the Subfranchisor, will either directly or indirectly, own, operate, advise,
be employed by, or have any interest in any business whether located within or outside the
Development Area that features [PRODUCT/SERVICE DESCRIPTION], or use any of the
Company's System, procedures, or trade secrets. The Subfranchisor will have the burden of
establishing that any such activity by it will not involve the use of benefits provided under this
Agreement or constitute unfair competition with the Company or other franchisees of the
Company.
9.3 Scope
The parties have attempted in Sections 9.1 and 9.2 above to limit the Subfranchisor's right to
compete only to the extent necessary to protect the Company from unfair competition. The
parties hereby expressly agree that if the scope or enforceability of Sections 9.1 or 9.2 is disputed
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at any time by the Subfranchisor, a court or arbitrator, as the case may be, may modify either or
both of such provisions to the extent that it deems necessary to make such provisions enforceable
under applicable law. In addition, the Company reserves the right to reduce the scope of either,
or both, of said provisions without the Subfranchisor's consent, at any time or times, effective
immediately upon notice to the Subfranchisor.
10. TERMINATION
The following transactions or occurrences will constitute material events of default (each an
"Event of Default") by the applicable party (the "defaulting party") hereunder such that, in
addition to and without prejudice to or limiting any other rights and remedies available to the
non-defaulting party at law or in equity the non-defaulting party may choose to immediately and
prospectively end this Agreement at the sole discretion of the non-defaulting party by giving
written notice thereof to the other party at any time after the occurrence of an Event of Default
setting forth sufficient facts to establish the existence of such Event of Default.
11. ARBITRATION
Any controversy or claim arising out of or relating to this Agreement, or any breach thereof,
including, without limitation, any claim that said Agreement, or any part thereof, is invalid,
illegal or otherwise voidable or void, or the enforcement of any right or obligation which by its
nature survives the expiration or termination hereof, will be submitted to arbitration; provided,
however, that this clause will not be construed to limit the Company from bringing any action in
any court of competent jurisdiction for injunctive, or other provisional relief as the Company
deems to be necessary or appropriate to protect its trademarks, trade names, service marks,
logotypes, insignia, trade dress and designs, or to enjoin or restrain the Subfranchisor from
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otherwise causing immediate and irreparable harm to the Company. This arbitration provision
will be deemed to be self-executing, and in the event that either party fails to appear at any
properly noticed arbitration proceeding, an award may be entered against such party
notwithstanding said failure to appear.
In any arbitration held pursuant to this Section, (a) any and all pre-trial discovery devices,
including, but not limited to, depositions, written interrogatories and requests for production,
inspection and copying of documents, and (b) any and all pre-judgment remedies, including, but
not limited to, attachments, claim and delivery proceedings, temporary protective orders,
injunctions and receiverships, will be available to the parties hereto as if the subject matter of the
arbitration were pending in a civil action before a Superior Court of [STATE/PROVINCE].
It is expressly agreed that the parties intend by this Agreement to establish between the Company
and the Subfranchisor the relationship of franchisor and franchisee. Except as expressly provided
herein, it is further agreed that the Subfranchisor has no authority to create or assume in the
Company's name or on behalf of the Company, any obligation, express or implied, or to act or
purport to act as agent or representative on behalf of the Company for any purpose whatsoever.
In no event will either party be deemed to be fiduciaries of the other. Neither the Company nor
the Subfranchisor is the employer, employee, agent, partner or co-venturer of or with the other,
each being independent contractors. The Subfranchisor agrees that he will not hold himself out
as the agent, employee, partner or co-venturer of the Company, or as having any of the aforesaid
authority. All employees hired by or working for the Subfranchisor will be the employees of the
Subfranchisor and will not, for any purpose, be deemed employees of the Company or subject to
Company control.
12.2 Indemnity
Each party (the "Indemnifying Party") will indemnify and hold the other party and its affiliates
and their respective employees, officers, agents, attorneys, stockholders and directors, and their
respective permitted successors, licensees and assigns (the "Indemnified Party(ies)") harmless
from and against (and will pay as incurred) any and all claims, proceedings, actions, damages,
costs, expenses and other liabilities and losses (whether under a theory of strict liability, or
otherwise) of whatsoever kind or nature
("Claim(s)") incurred by, or threatened, imposed or filed against, any Indemnified Party
(including, without limitation,
12.2.1 actual and reasonable costs of defense, which will include without limitation
court costs and reasonable attorney and other reasonable expert and reasonable
third-party fees; and
12.2.2 to the extent permitted by Law, any fines, penalties and forfeitures) in connection
with any proceedings against an Indemnified Party caused by any breach (or, with
respect to third-party claims only, alleged breach) by the Indemnifying Party of
any representation, term, warranty or agreement hereunder. Neither party will
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settle, compromise or consent to the entry of any judgement in or otherwise seek
to end any pending or threatened Claim in respect of which the Indemnified Party
is entitled to indemnification hereunder (whether or not the Indemnified Party is a
party thereto), without the prior written consent of the other party hereto;
provided, however, that the Indemnifying Party will be entitled to settle any claim
without the written consent of the Indemnified Party so long as such settlement
only involves the payment of money by the Indemnifying Party and in no way
affects any rights of the Indemnified Party.
Neither party will be liable to the other for any consequential damages, including but not limited
to lost profits, increased construction or occupancy costs, or other losses, costs and expenses by
reason of any legal incapacity during the Term, or other conduct not due to the gross negligence
or misfeasance of such party.
Except as otherwise expressly provided to the contrary, no waiver by the Company of any breach
or series of breaches or defaults in performance by the Subfranchisor, and no failure, refusal or
neglect of the Company to exercise any right, power or option given to it hereunder or under any
other agreement between the Company and the Subfranchisor, whether entered into before, after
or contemporaneously with the execution hereof (and whether or not related thereto) or to insist
upon strict compliance with or performance of the Subfranchisor's obligations under this
Agreement or any other agreement between the Company and the Subfranchisor, whether
entered into before, after or contemporaneously with the execution hereof (and whether or not
related thereto), will constitute a novation, or a waiver of the provisions of this Agreement with
respect to any subsequent breach thereof or a waiver of the Company's right at any time
thereafter to require exact and strict compliance with the provisions thereof.
The covenants contained in this Agreement which, by their terms, require performance by the
parties after the expiration or termination of this Agreement, will be enforceable notwithstanding
said expiration or other termination of this Agreement for any reason whatsoever.
This Agreement will be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the legal representatives,
successors and assigns of the Company and the Subfranchisor.
If either party consists of more than one person or entity, or a combination thereof, the
obligations and liabilities of each such person or entity to the other hereunder are joint and
several.
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12.8 Governing Law
This Agreement will be governed by, and construed under, the laws of [STATE/PROVINCE] of
[COUNTRY].
This Agreement and the Appendices incorporated herein contain all of the terms and conditions
agreed upon by the parties hereto with reference to the subject matter hereof. Except as may be
described in Appendix “F,” which is appended hereto and made a part hereof by this reference,
no other agreements, written or oral, will be deemed to exist or to bind any of the parties hereto
and all prior agreements, understandings and representations, are merged herein and superseded
hereby. Each party represents to the other that there are no contemporaneous agreements or
understandings between the parties relating to the subject matter of this Master Franchise
Agreement that are not contained herein. No officer or director, employee or agent of the
Company has any authority to make any representation or promise not contained in this
Agreement or any Offering Circular for prospective Master Franchisees required by applicable
law, and the parties agree that each has executed this Agreement without reliance upon any such
representation or promise. This Agreement cannot be modified or changed except by a written
instrument signed by all of the parties hereto.
Article and Section titles used in this Agreement are for convenience only and will not be
deemed to affect the meaning or construction of any of the terms, provisions, covenants, or
conditions of this Agreement.
12.11 Gender
All terms used in any one number or gender will extend to mean and include any other number
and gender as the facts, context, or sense of this Agreement or any article or paragraph hereof
may require.
12.12 Severability
Nothing contained in this Agreement will be construed as requiring the commission of any act
contrary to law. Whenever there is any conflict between any provisions of this Agreement and
any present or future statute, law, ordinance or regulation contrary to which the parties have no
legal right to contract, the latter will prevail, but in such event the provisions of this Agreement
thus affected will be curtailed and limited only to the extent necessary to bring them within the
requirements of the law. In the event that any part, article, paragraph, sentence or clause of this
Agreement will be held to be indefinite, invalid or otherwise unenforceable, the indefinite,
invalid or unenforceable provision will be deemed deleted, and the remaining part of this
Agreement will continue in full force and effect.
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12.13 Fees and Expenses
Should any party hereto commence any action or proceeding for the purpose of enforcing, or
preventing the breach of, any provision hereof, whether by arbitration, judicial or quasi-judicial
action or otherwise, or for damages for any alleged breach of any provision hereof, or for a
declaration of such party's rights or obligations hereunder, then the prevailing party will be
reimbursed by the losing party for all costs and expenses incurred in connection therewith,
including, but not limited to, reasonable attorneys' fees for the services rendered to such
prevailing party.
12.14 Notices
Except as otherwise expressly provided herein, all written notices and reports permitted or
required to be delivered by the parties pursuant hereto will be deemed so delivered at the time
delivered by hand, one (1) business day after transmission by facsimile, telegraph, email or other
electronic system; three (3) days after deposit via registered or certified mail, return receipt
requested; or one (1) business day after placement with FedEx, or other reputable air courier
service, requesting delivery on the most expedited basis available, postage prepaid and addressed
as follows:
[ADDRESS]
13.1 It is a company organised and existing under the laws of [SPECIFY COUNTRY
AND/OR STATE/PROVINCE] with its principal place of business in [SPECIFY
COUNTRY];
13.2 The undersigned has the full right, power and authority to sign this Agreement on
behalf of the Company;
13.3 The execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement does not and will not,
violate any provisions of [COUNTRY] articles or certificates of incorporation and
bylaws, or any contract or other Agreement to which the Company is a party;
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13.5 This Agreement has been duly executed and delivered and constitutes a legal, valid
and binding obligation, enforceable in accordance with its terms, except as
enforceability may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganisation, moratorium
or other similar laws now or hereinafter in effect, affecting the enforcement of
creditors' rights in general and by general principles of equity, regardless of whether
such enforceability is considered in a proceeding in equity or at law.
14.1 It is a company organised and existing under the laws of the [SPECIFY COUNTRY
AND/OR STATE/PROVINCE] with its principal place of business in the [SPECIFY
COUNTRY];
14.2 The undersigned has the full right, power and authority to sign this Agreement on
behalf of the Subfranchisor;
14.4 This Agreement has been duly executed and delivered and constitutes the legal, valid
and binding obligation of the Subfranchisor enforceable in accordance with its terms,
except as enforceability may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganisation,
moratorium or other similar laws now or hereinafter in effect, affecting the
enforcement of creditors' rights in general and by general principles of equity,
regardless of whether such enforceability is considered in a proceeding in equity or at
law; and
14.5 The execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement does not, and will not,
violate any provisions of the Subfranchisor's articles or certificates of incorporation
and bylaws, or any contract or other Agreement to which the Subfranchisor is a
party.
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement as of the day and
year first above written.
COMPANY SUBFRANCHISOR
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APPENDIX A
DEVELOPMENT AREA
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APPENDIX B
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APPENDIX C
INITIAL MATERIALS
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APPENDIX D
FRANCHISE AGREEMENT
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APPENDIX E
TERM & POST TERM COMPETITION
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APPENDIX F
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