Is the Azal Coffee franchise agreement entered into by both the Franchisor and the Franchisee?

The 2024 Azal Coffee Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD) indicates that a Franchise Agreement exists between Durar Investment, LLC (the Franchisor) and the franchisee. This agreement outlines the terms and conditions under which the franchisee operates an Azal Coffee store.

The FDD excerpts discuss the obligations and rights of both the franchisor and franchisee, particularly regarding confidential information, trade secrets, and adherence to the Azal Coffee system. For instance, the employee agreement excerpt specifies that the franchisor has rights to protect confidential information and the Azal Coffee brand, implying a direct relationship and agreement with the franchisee who employs the staff. Similarly, the document mentions amendments to the Franchise Agreement for use in specific states like Indiana, further suggesting a formal agreement between the parties.

Certain state-specific regulations, such as those in Illinois, Indiana, New York, North Dakota, and Rhode Island, address provisions within the franchise agreement. These regulations often pertain to waivers, restrictions, and governing laws, indicating that the agreement is a legally binding document subject to state oversight. The fact that these states have specific stipulations regarding the franchise agreement underscores its importance and the necessity for both parties (franchisor and franchisee) to be signatories.

In summary, while the excerpts focus more on the obligations of employees and the franchisor's rights, the repeated references to the "Franchise Agreement" and its amendments, coupled with state regulations concerning its terms, strongly imply that the agreement is indeed entered into by both Azal Coffee (Durar Investment, LLC) as the franchisor and the individual or entity operating the franchise as the franchisee.