factual

Is an Antioch Pizza Shop franchisee allowed to engage in conflicting enterprises?

Antioch_Pizza_Shop Franchise · 2025 FDD

Answer from 2025 FDD Document

ou) and (b) disclosure of the Confidential Information in legal proceedings when you are legally required to disclose it and you have first given us the opportunity to obtain an appropriate legal protective order or other assurance satisfactory to us that the information required to be disclosed will be treated confidentially.

6.4 In-Term Non-Competition Agreement. You agree that we would be unable to protect the Confidential Information against unauthorized use or disclosure and would be unable to encourage a free exchange of ideas and information between you and us if you or your Owners were permitted to hold interests in any competitive businesses, as described below. You also acknowledge that we have entered into this Agreement with you in part in consideration of, and in reliance on, your agreement to deal exclusively with us. Therefore, during the term of this Agreement, neither you, nor any Owner, may, either directly or indirectly, for yourself or through, on behalf of, or in conjunction with, any person or legal entity, own, maintain, operate, engage in, consult with or have any interest in (as disclosed or beneficial owner) any business which offers products or services which are the same as, or similar to, those offered by Antioch Pizza Shop Restaurant (other than through a franchise agreement with Franchisor), or any entity which is granting franchises or licenses for any business which offers products or services which are the same as, or similar to, those offered by Antioch Pizza Shop Restaurants. (The ownership of five percent (5%) or less of a publicly traded Franchisor will not be deemed to be prohibited by this paragraph.) Further, during the term of this Agreement, you will not divert customers or business from any Antioch Pizza Shop Restaurants to any other business.

7. DEFAULT AND TERMINATION

  • 7.1 The right to open Antioch Pizza Shop Restaurants has been granted in reliance on your representations and warranties, and strictly on the conditions set forth in this Development Agreement including, without limitation, the condition that you comply strictly with the Development Schedule.
  • 7.2 You shall be in default under this Agreement, and all rights granted herein to you shall automatically terminate without notice or an opportunity to cure if:
  • (a) you are adjudicated bankrupt, become insolvent, commits any affirmative action of insolvency or files any action or petition of insolvency, or if a receiver (permanent or temporary) of your property or any part thereof is appointed by a court of competent authority, or if you make a general assignment for the benefit of its creditors;
  • (b) if a final judgment against your business assets remains unsatisfied of record for thirty (30) days or longer (unless supersedeas bond is filed);
    • (c) if execution is levied against your business or property;
  • (d) if suit to foreclose any lien or mortgage against Developer's premises or business assets is instituted against you and not dismissed within thirty (30) days, or is not in the process of being dismissed; provided, however, that Franchisor reserves the right to be named as trustee or receiver in any voluntary petition for bankruptcy or insolvency filed by you;
  • (e) you make or attempt to make a transfer, sale or assignment of this Agreement in violation of this Agreement;

MUDA 2025 - 6 -

  • (f) upon the dissolution of the entity that is Developer is dissolved, or upon the death of one or more of your Owners; or
  • (g) you (or your affiliate who executed the Franchise Agreement) are in breach of any Franchise Agreement signed under this Agreement and you fail to cure the breach after notice and opportunity to cure as provided in the Franchise Agreement.
  • 7.3 If you (i) fail to meet any of the deadlines set forth in the Development Schedule;

Source: Item 22 — Contracts (FDD pages 56–57)

What This Means (2025 FDD)

According to Antioch Pizza Shop's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, franchisees face restrictions on engaging in competitive businesses during the term of their agreement. Specifically, neither the franchisee, nor any owner, nor any member of their immediate families, can directly or indirectly own, maintain, operate, engage in, consult with, or have any interest in any business offering similar products or services to Antioch Pizza Shop. This includes businesses involved in the sale of pizza, burgers, Italian sandwiches, desserts, or related food items, as well as entities that grant franchises or licenses for similar businesses. An exception is made for owning 5% or less of a publicly traded company. Franchisees are also prohibited from diverting customers from their Antioch Pizza Shop restaurant to any other business.

These restrictions are in place to protect Antioch Pizza Shop's confidential information, encourage the free exchange of ideas, and ensure franchisees deal exclusively with the franchisor. The franchisor emphasizes that they have entered into the agreement with the franchisee partly based on this expectation of exclusivity. This clause aims to prevent franchisees from using the knowledge and resources gained from Antioch Pizza Shop to benefit competing ventures.

Post-termination, the restrictions continue for two years. During this period, franchisees cannot be involved in any business related to the operation of a restaurant selling pizza, burgers, Italian sandwiches, desserts, or similar businesses. There are two exceptions: involvement is allowed if it's pursuant to agreements with Antioch Pizza Shop, or if the franchisee is not party to any other agreement with Antioch Pizza Shop and operates at a site at least five and one-half (5 1/2) miles from any Antioch Pizza Shop restaurant. This post-termination covenant is designed to protect the goodwill and interests of the franchisor and other franchisees, while still allowing the franchisee a means of livelihood.

Prospective franchisees should carefully consider these non-compete clauses and how they might impact their future business endeavors. It is important to fully understand the scope and duration of these restrictions before entering into a franchise agreement with Antioch Pizza Shop.

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.