factual

Is abandonment of the franchised business by an Amorino franchisee grounds for termination?

Amorino Franchise · 2025 FDD

Answer from 2025 FDD Document

ation by Not Not applicable.
franchisor applicable.
without cause
Termina Section 16 of We can terminate the franchise agreement if you commit any
f.
tion by the franchise one of a list of violations set forth in the franchise agreement, or
franchisor with agreement if you default under any other agreement between you and
cause either us or any of our affiliates. If you are in breach of any agreement with us or any of our affiliates, we have the right to suspend any obligations by us or our affiliates, including providing products or services, until the breach is cured. Some violations are capable of being cured and some cannot be cured. We can also terminate if an approved transfer is not completed within a certain period of time following your death or permanent incapacity.
"Cause" Section 16.B We may terminate for any default, other than a default for the
g.
defined - of the reasons listed in Section 16.A, that is capable of being cured
curable defaults franchise and the default has not been cured within 20 days of notice of
agreement default.
"Cause" Section 16.A We may terminate by giving you notice of termination upon
h.
defined – of the certain event, without any opportunity to cure: Your failure to
non
curable defaults franchise make any payment due under the franchise agreement within
agreement 30 days of its due date; insolvency; voluntary bankruptcy; involuntary bankruptcy not dismissed within 30 days; general assignment for creditors, receivership, dissolution of your business entity; if execution is levied your business or property; foreclosure, levy and sale of assets of franchised business; failure to acquire a site by the site selection date; failure to complete initial training by opening date; failure to open Store by opening date; abandonment of the franchised business; loss of necessary permits and approvals to operate the franchised business; loss of right to occupy the Store premises; conviction of a felony or certain other crimes; unapproved transfers; repeated defaults, even if cured; misrepresentations in franchise application; knowingly understating your sales; knowingly maintaining false books or records; failure to make any payment when due to Amorino or any of its affiliates or approved suppliers, offering for sale or selling unauthorized products or services; violation of confidentiality and non-competition covenants; purchase or sale of gelato, sorbet, gelato macarons, or restricted dry goods which you purchased or obtained from an unapproved supplier; within any rolling 12-month period, your failure to pass two or more quality assurance inspections and or your failure to participate in any advertising or marketing programs.

Source: Item 17 — RENEWAL, TERMINATION, TRANSFER, AND DISPUTE RESOLUTION (FDD pages 55–67)

What This Means (2025 FDD)

According to Amorino's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, abandonment of the franchised business is grounds for termination of the franchise agreement. Specifically, Amorino can terminate the franchise agreement if a franchisee abandons the franchised business, and this is considered a non-curable default. This means that Amorino does not have to give the franchisee an opportunity to correct the abandonment before terminating the agreement.

For a prospective Amorino franchisee, this means that consistently operating the business is critical. Abandonment is not defined in this excerpt, so it is important to clarify with Amorino what specific actions or inactions would be considered abandonment. For example, it would be prudent to understand how long a store can be closed for repairs or due to unforeseen circumstances before it is considered abandonment.

This termination clause is fairly standard in franchising. Franchisors need to protect their brand and ensure consistent operation across all locations. Abandonment can harm the brand's reputation and disrupt the franchise system, justifying the immediate termination right.

Disclaimer: This information is extracted from the 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document and is provided for research purposes only. It does not constitute legal or financial advice. Consult with a franchise attorney before making any investment decisions.