During the term of the All Dogs Unleashed agreement, can owners be employed by a Competitive Business?
All_Dogs_Unleashed Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
For purposes of this Agreement, the term "Competitive Business" means any (i) business providing dog training, grooming, daycare, or boarding services, or (ii) any other business involved in providing dog training, grooming, daycare, or boarding services, or (iii) any other business offering products and services offered or authorized for sale by System franchisees ((i) through (iii) each a "Competing Business"), or (iv) any business offering or granting licenses or franchises for the right to operate a Competing Business; provided, however, that this Section does not apply to your operation of any other All Dogs Unleashed Facility under a license or Franchise Agreement with us.
- (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.
If all or any portion of a covenant in this Guaranty is held unreasonable or unenforceable by a court or agency having valid jurisdiction in an un-appealed final decision to which Franchisor is a party, I expressly agree to be bound by any lesser covenant subsumed within the terms of such covenant that imposes the maximum duty permitted by law, as if the resulting covenant were separately stated in and made a part of this Guaranty.
Source: Item 23 — RECEIPTS (FDD pages 49–158)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to the 2025 All Dogs Unleashed Franchise Disclosure Document, during the term of the franchise agreement, an owner is restricted from being employed by a Competitive Business. A "Competitive Business" is defined as any business providing dog training, grooming, daycare, or boarding services, or any business offering products and services offered or authorized for sale by All Dogs Unleashed franchisees. This restriction does not apply to the operation of another All Dogs Unleashed Facility under a license or Franchise Agreement with them.
This restriction applies while an individual is an owner and extends to any location within the United States, its territories, or any other country where All Dogs Unleashed or its affiliates have used, sought registration of, or registered their marks. After ceasing to be an owner, this restriction continues for two years, applying to locations within the Service Area or within 25 miles of it, or within the service area of any other All Dogs Unleashed business in existence or under development.
This non-compete obligation is tolled during any period of noncompliance. The agreement also specifies that each covenant is independent, and if any part is deemed unenforceable, the owner agrees to be bound by a lesser covenant that imposes the maximum duty permitted by law. This ensures that All Dogs Unleashed protects its business model and market presence by preventing franchisees from directly competing, either during the franchise term or for a limited period afterward, within specified geographic boundaries.