Does the All County franchise agreement specify any geographic limitations regarding the prohibition of involvement in a Competitive Business?
All_County Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
You agree that during the Term of this Agreement neither you nor any of your owners including any of your or your owners' spouses, children or other first degree relatives by blood or marriage will not engage in any of the following:
- 16.1.1. Interest or Involvement. You will not have any direct or indirect interest as a disclosed or beneficial owner in a Competitive Business, wherever located.
- 16.1.2. Performance. You will not perform services as a director, officer, manager, employee, consultant, representative, agent or otherwise for a Competitive Business, wherever located. You are prohibited from selling or transferring any of the accounts or clients of the Business to anyone except to us or to one of our designees or to another ALL COUNTY® business that has been approved in writing by us.
Source: Item 23 — Receipts (FDD pages 43–157)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to All County's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, the franchise agreement places no geographic limitations on the prohibition of involvement in a Competitive Business. The agreement specifies that during the term of the agreement, neither the franchisee nor their owners (including spouses, children, or first-degree relatives) can have any direct or indirect interest in a Competitive Business, regardless of its location.
This means that franchisees and their immediate family members are restricted from owning or working for any business offering similar real estate property management services, irrespective of where that business is situated. This restriction extends to holding any position, such as director, officer, manager, employee, or consultant, in a Competitive Business, again without any geographic boundary.
This broad restriction is more stringent than some franchise agreements, which may limit non-compete clauses to a specific radius around the franchise location or territory. Prospective All County franchisees should carefully consider this comprehensive restriction, as it could impact their ability to invest in or work for other businesses, even those located far from their All County franchise.
Furthermore, the agreement prohibits franchisees from selling or transferring any accounts or clients of their All County business to anyone except All County or its designees, or to another All County business approved in writing by All County. This is designed to protect the All County brand and customer base.