factual

Besides the notification period, what other conditions must be satisfied for a Control Transfer of an Auntie Annes franchise?

Auntie_Annes Franchise · 2024 FDD

Answer from 2024 FDD Document

our Franchised Business is not open and operating; or (ii) the Transfer would cause a transferee or its owners to

breach another agreement (whether or not with us). Our consent to a Transfer does not constitute a waiver of any claims that we have against the transferor, nor is it a waiver of our right to demand exact compliance with the terms of this Agreement.

  • 16.3 Control Transfer. For a proposed Control Transfer, in addition to any other conditions that we may specify and without limiting in any way our sole and absolute discretion to grant or withhold consent for a proposed Control Transfer, at a minimum, the following conditions must be satisfied (unless waived by us):
  • A. You notify us in writing at least 90 days prior to any proposed Control Transfer and provide all requested information at least 60 days prior to any proposed Control Transfer.
    • B. All sums you owe us and our affiliates are paid.
  • C. You are not (i) at the time of the Transfer request or the Transfer closing, in default in any material respect under this Agreement or any other agreement with us, or any of our affiliates, or any of our Approved Suppliers and (ii) you have not been during the Term, in default in any material respect under this Agreement or any other agreement with us, any of our affiliates, or any of our Approved Suppliers without curing such default within the applicable cure period.
  • D. The transferee and its proposed directors, officers, shareholders, partners, and members, as applicable, and its Manager and any other personnel we designate, who will be responsible for operating and managing the Business, satisfactorily complete before the date of Transfer our Management Training Program.
  • E. The transferee and its directors, officers, shareholders, partners, members, and managers, as applicable, meet our requirements for approval as new franchisees, including our requirements for proficiency in the English language. If the transferee, its affiliates, or any of its directors, officers, shareholders, partners, members, or managers owns an interest in another Business or another franchise licensed by one of our affiliates, those individuals or Entities must (i) at the time of the Transfer request or the Transfer closing, not be in default in any material respect under any agreement with us, any of our affiliates, or any suppliers, (ii) during the previous two years, not have been in default in any material respect under any agreement with us, our affiliates, or any suppliers without curing such default within the applicable cure period, and (iii) in our sole judgment, have been approved to develop and operate additional franchises.
  • F. Notwithstanding when the Franchised Business was last remodeled, the transferee agrees in writing that it will, at its expense, upgrade, and remodel the Franchised Business to conform to our then-current Standards for quality and appearance and trade dress within the time we reasonably specify;

Source: Item 22 — CONTRACTS (FDD page 106)

What This Means (2024 FDD)

According to Auntie Annes' 2024 Franchise Disclosure Document, several conditions must be met for a Control Transfer of a franchise, in addition to providing written notification at least 90 days prior to the proposed transfer and providing all requested information at least 60 days prior to the proposed Control Transfer.

First, all outstanding payments owed to Auntie Annes and its affiliates must be settled. The franchisee must not be in material default under any agreement with Auntie Annes, its affiliates, or approved suppliers, both at the time of the transfer request and during the term of the agreement, unless the default has been cured within the applicable period. The transferee, including its management personnel, must satisfactorily complete Auntie Annes' Management Training Program before the transfer date.

Furthermore, the transferee and its key personnel must meet Auntie Annes' requirements for new franchisees, including English language proficiency. If the transferee or its affiliates have interests in other businesses or franchises licensed by Auntie Annes' affiliates, they must not be in material default under any agreement with Auntie Annes, its affiliates, or suppliers. The existing franchisee and their owners must agree to remain liable for all obligations to Auntie Annes arising before the transfer date and must obtain written consent from their landlord for the transfer of the Site Agreement to the new transferee. Auntie Annes must also approve the purchase price and payment terms, ensuring they do not adversely affect the franchise's operation. Finally, the franchisee and owners must agree that any financing obligations are subordinate to the transferee's obligations to Auntie Annes.

Disclaimer: This information is extracted from the 2024 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.