What does the Antioch Pizza Shop franchisee covenant and warrant to maintain?
Antioch_Pizza_Shop Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
sure, that such unauthorized disclosure would cause Franchisor irreparable harm, and Franchisor would be unable to encourage a free exchange of ideas and information among franchisees in the System if Franchisee held interests in any competitive business. Franchisee acknowledges that Franchisor grants the rights to Franchisee in part in consideration of, and in reliance upon, Franchisee's agreement to deal exclusively with Franchisor. Therefore, during the term of this Agreement, neither Franchisee nor any owner, nor any member of their immediate families, may, either directly or indirectly, for itself 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 (as disclosed or beneficial owner) in any business which offers services or products which are the same as, or similar to, those offered by a franchised Restaurant (except another restaurant operated pursuant to a Franchise Agreement with Franchisor), including the sale of pizza, burgers, Italian sandwiches, dessert or related food items, or any entity which is granting franchises or licenses or entering into joint venture relationships for any business which offers products or services which are the same as, or similar to, those offered by a franchised Restaurant. (The ownership of 5% or less of a publicly traded company will not be deemed to be prohibited by this Paragraph.) Further, during the term of this Agreement, Franchisee shall not divert any customers or prospective customers from its Restaurant to any other business.
- (b) Post-Termination. In addition, for two (2) years after the termination or expiration of this Agreement, Franchisee shall not carry on, be engaged in or advise in the establishment or operation of any business involving or related to the operation of a restaurant selling pizza, burgers, Italian sandwiches, dessert, or similar businesses described in section (a) above except (i) pursuant to Agreements with Franchisor, or (ii) if Franchisee is not then a party to any other Agreement with Franchisor, only at a site that is at least five and one-half (5 1/2) miles from any Antioch Pizza Shop™ (or successor name) restaurant (including Franchisee's former Restaurant) that is operating or being developed. Franchisee agrees and acknowledges that this restriction represents only a limited one on Franchisee's ability to conduct a business and that the purpose
of this covenant is not to deprive Franchisee of a means of livelihood, and will not do so, but is rather to protect the goodwill and interest of Franchisor, other franchisees and the System.
- (c) Covenants contained in this Section 13 shall be construed as severable and independent, and shall be interpreted and applied consistently with the requirements of reasonableness and equity. The period, the geographic area and the scope of the restrictions on Franchisee's activities are divisible so that if any provision of the restrictions is invalid, that provision shall be automatically modified to the extent necessary to make it valid.
- (d) Franchisee shall require and obtain execution of agreements similar to those set forth in this Section 13 including agreements applicable upon the termination of a person's relationship with Franchisee that shall be effective for a period of two (2) years after such termination from all officers, directors, and holders of a beneficial interest of ten percent (10%) or more of the equity of any entity directly or indirectly controlling Franchisee, if Franchisee is an entity;
- (e) All agreements required by this Section 13 shall be in forms satisfactory to Franchisor, including without limitation specific identification of Franchisor as a third-party beneficiary with the independent right to enforce them.
14. ASSIGNMENT AND TRANSFER
(a) By Franchisor. This Agreement is fully transferable and assignable by Franchisor, in whole or in part, and shall inure to the benefit of any assignee, transferee or other legal successor to its interest herein.
(b) By Franchisee.
- (i) The rights granted to Franchisee in this Agreement are personal and Franchisee acknowledges that Franchisor is entering into this Agreement in reliance upon and in consideration of the individual character, skill, attitude, business ability and financial capacity of Franchisee or, if Franchisee is a corporation, partnership, limited liability company or other entity, of its principal owners and officers or partners. Accordingly, Franchisee shall not transfer (as defined below) this Agreement or any interest therein without Franchisor's written consent, which shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed, and without offering Franchisor a right of first refusal.
Source: Item 22 — Contracts (FDD pages 56–57)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to the 2025 Antioch Pizza Shop Franchise Disclosure Document, the franchisee acknowledges that Antioch Pizza Shop grants rights partly based on the franchisee's agreement to deal exclusively with Antioch Pizza Shop. During the term of the agreement, the franchisee, owners, and their immediate families cannot directly or indirectly own, maintain, operate, engage in, consult with, or have any interest in any business offering similar services or products to a franchised restaurant. An exception exists for ownership of 5% or less of a publicly traded company.
Furthermore, the franchisee must not divert customers from their Antioch Pizza Shop Restaurant to any other business during the agreement's term. After the agreement terminates or expires, the franchisee cannot be involved with a business related to a restaurant selling pizza, burgers, Italian sandwiches, or desserts for two years, except under agreements with Antioch Pizza Shop or at a site at least five and one-half miles from any Antioch Pizza Shop restaurant.
This restriction is designed to protect the goodwill and interests of Antioch Pizza Shop, its franchisees, and the system, without depriving the franchisee of their livelihood. The franchisee also agrees to specific restrictions regarding inventory, supplies, and products to maintain uniformity and quality and protect the integrity of the Antioch Pizza Shop marks. Franchisees must purchase all proprietary products only from Antioch Pizza Shop or a designated supplier and cannot alter or substitute these products. All articles used in dispensing and selling food products, such as containers, menus, and promotional materials, must be approved by Antioch Pizza Shop regarding quality and design and must bear approved trademarks and logos.