Is an All County franchisee allowed to perform services for a Competitive Business?
All_County Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
16. EXCLUSIVE RELATIONSHIP.
- 16.1. Exclusive Dealings. We have granted the Franchise to you in consideration of and reliance upon your agreement to deal exclusively with us and not to be involved with a Competitive Business. **"**Competitive Business" means any business that offers real estate property management services or products or other services that are the same or similar to those offered by ALL COUNTY® businesses, or any business that offers franchises or licenses to others to operate any business that offers real estate property management services or products or other services that are the same or similar to those offered by ALL COUNTY® businesses. 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.
- 16.1.3. Recruiting. You will not recruit or hire any person who is our employee or the employee of any other ALL COUNTY® business without obtaining the prior written permission of that person's employer.
Source: Item 23 — Receipts (FDD pages 43–157)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to All County's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, franchisees are generally prohibited from being involved with a Competitive Business during the term of the franchise agreement. A "Competitive Business" is defined as any business offering real estate property management services or products similar to those offered by All County, or any business that franchises or licenses others to do the same.
Specifically, the agreement states that neither the franchisee nor their immediate family members can have a direct or indirect interest in a Competitive Business, regardless of its location. Furthermore, franchisees are prohibited from performing services for a Competitive Business in any capacity, including as a director, officer, manager, employee, consultant, representative, or agent. This restriction is in place to ensure the franchisee's full dedication to the All County business and to protect All County's market position.
The agreement also prohibits franchisees from selling or transferring any of the All County business's accounts or clients to anyone except All County itself, its designees, or another approved All County franchise. Additionally, franchisees are restricted from recruiting or hiring any employee of All County or another All County franchise without prior written permission from the employer. These stipulations reinforce the exclusive relationship between the franchisee and All County, preventing franchisees from diverting resources or opportunities to competing businesses.