Can All Dogs Unleashed require written non-compete agreements from the franchisee's owners and employees?
All_Dogs_Unleashed Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
While I am an Owner of the Franchisee and, for a two-year period after I cease to be an Owner (or two years after termination or expiration (without renewal) of the Franchise Agreement, whichever occurs first), I will not:
(a) Divert or attempt to divert any present or prospective customer of the ALL DOGS UNLEASHED franchised business to any competitor, by direct or indirect inducement or otherwise, provide dog training, grooming, or boarding services to any customer or former customer of the Franchised Business, or do anything to harm the goodwill associated with the Marks and the System;
(b) Employ or seek to employ any person who is or has been within the previous 30 days employed by Franchisor or an Affiliate of Franchisor as a salaried managerial employee, or induce such person to leave his or her employment; or
(c) Own, maintain, advise, operate, engage in, be employed by, make loans to, invest in, provide any assistance to, or have any interest in (as owner or otherwise) or relationship or association with, any business that provides dog training, grooming, or boarding services other than a ALL DOGS UNLEASHED franchised business operated pursuant to a then-currently effective franchise agreement.
This restriction shall apply, while I am an Owner, to any location within the United States, its territories or commonwealths, or any other country, province, state or geographic area in which Franchisor or its Affiliates have used, sought registration of or registered the Marks or similar marks or operate or license others to operate a business under the Marks or similar marks.
It will apply for two years after I cease to be an Owner (or two years after termination or expiration of the Franchise Agreement, whichever occurs first) to any location that is, or is intended to be, located (i) in the Service Area, or within 25 miles of the perimeter of the Service Area; or (ii) within the service area, or within 25 miles of the perimeter of the service area, of any other ALL DOGS UNLEASHED business in existence or under development at the time I cease being an Owner (or termination or expiration of the Franchise Agreement, whichever occurs first).
This restriction will be tolled during any period of my noncompliance.
Source: Item 23 — RECEIPTS (FDD pages 49–158)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to All Dogs Unleashed's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, the franchise agreement includes non-compete provisions for the franchisee's owners. Specifically, while an individual is an Owner of the All Dogs Unleashed franchise, and for a two-year period after they cease to be an Owner or after termination/expiration of the franchise agreement, they are restricted from certain competitive activities.
The non-compete agreement prevents the Owner from diverting customers, providing dog training/grooming/boarding services to customers or former customers of the Franchised Business, or harming the goodwill associated with the All Dogs Unleashed brand. It also restricts the Owner from employing or soliciting managerial employees of All Dogs Unleashed or its affiliates. Furthermore, the Owner is prohibited from owning, operating, or being involved with any business that provides similar dog training, grooming, or boarding services other than an All Dogs Unleashed franchise.
The geographic scope of these restrictions varies. While the individual is an Owner, the restriction applies to any location within the United States, its territories, or any country where All Dogs Unleashed uses or has registered its trademarks. After ceasing to be an Owner, the restriction applies to the Service Area or within 25 miles of its perimeter, as well as the service areas of other All Dogs Unleashed businesses. These non-compete covenants are designed to protect All Dogs Unleashed's market share, customer relationships, and proprietary business methods, which is a fairly standard practice in franchising.