factual

Can a Bang Cookies franchisee face competition from other channels of distribution or competitive brands that Bang Cookies controls?

Bang_Cookies Franchise · 2024 FDD

Answer from 2024 FDD Document

, or similar rights to acquire additional franchises.

Territory Rights

You will not receive an exclusive territory. You may face competition from other franchisees, from outlets that we own, or from other channels of distribution or competitive brands that we control. However, during the term of the Franchise Agreement, provided that you are not in default of your obligations to us or our affiliates and except as to our Reserved Rights set forth below, we will not establish or open and we will not grant another franchisee the right to establish or open a Bang Cookies Shop at a Shop Location within your Designated Territory.

We and our affiliates reserve to ourselves the exclusive right on any and all terms and conditions that we deem advisable and, without any compensation or consideration to you (Franchise Agreement, Article 2.D

and Multi-Unit Development Agreement, Article 2.3), to engage in the following activities (our "Reserved Rights"): (a) operate and grant to others the right to develop and operate Shops and Franchised Businesses using the System and Licensed Marks at locations outside your Designated Territory and, if applicable, Development Area, as we deem appropriate and irrespective of the proximity to your Designated Territory and, if applicable, Development Area; (b) acquire, merge with or otherwise affiliate with one or more businesses of any kind, including businesses that offer and sell products and services that are the same as, or similar to, the Franchised Business, and after such acquisition, merger or affiliation to own and operate and to franchise, or license others to own and operate and to continue to own and operate such businesses of any kind, even if such businesses offer and sell products and services that are the same as or similar to a the Franchised Business (but not utilizing the Licensed Marks) within your Designated Territory and, if applicable, within your Development Area; (c) be acquired by or merge with or otherwise affiliate with one or more businesses of any kind, including businesses that offer and sell products and services that are the same as or similar to the Franchised Business, even if such business or businesses presently or, in the future, own and operate and franchise or license others to own and operate businesses that offer and sell products and services that are the same as or similar to the Franchised Business (but not utilizing the Licensed Marks) within your Designated Territory and, if applicable, your Development Area; (d) use the Licensed Marks and System to distribute the Approved Services and Products offered and sold by the Franchised Business or products and services similar to the Approved Services and Products offered and sold by the Franchised Business in alternative channels of distribution including wholesale, retail, and/or internet based, supermarkets, grocery stores, wholesale stores, internet/web based sales, and other outlets, within or outside your Designated Territory and, if applicable, your Development Area; (e) operate, and grant to others the right to own and operate, a Shops within or at captive market locations including, but not limited to, indoor malls, airports, transportation stations, factories, government facilities, military bases, hospitals, amusement parks, recreational parks or facilities, sports facilities, convention centers, travel centers, schools, colleges and other academic facilities, seasonal facilities, shopping malls, theaters, workplace cafeterias, hotels, and venues where food service is administered or provided as a concession by a master concessionaire, both within and outside your Designated Territory and, if applicable, your Development Area; (f) distribute and sell, at wholesale or retail, the Approved Services and Products both within your Designated Territory and/or Development Area through alternative channels of distribution that includes third party businesses and organizations including, but not limited to, schools, colleges, non-profit, and other organizations offering and selling the Approved Services and Products for fundraising purposes; and (g) use the Licensed Marks and System and to license others to use the Lensed Marks and System, to engage in all other activities not expressly prohibited by the Franchise Agreement.

Restrictions on Us from Soliciting or Accepting Orders in Your Territory

There are no restrictions on us from soliciting or accepting orders from customers inside your territory. We reserve the right to use other channels of distribution, such as the internet, catalog sales, telemarketing, or other direct marketing sales, to make sales within your territory using our principal trademarks or using trademarks different from the ones you will use under the Franchise Agreement. We do not pay any compensation to you for soliciting or accepting orders from inside your territory.

Soliciting by You Outside Your Territory

You are required to target and direct the marketing of your Shop to customers located within your territory. You may only offer and sell Approved Services and Products from your Shop Location located within your Designated Territory, and only to retail customers.

Source: Item 12 — TERRITORY (FDD pages 36–38)

What This Means (2024 FDD)

According to Bang Cookies's 2024 Franchise Disclosure Document, a franchisee may face competition from various sources that Bang Cookies controls. Specifically, Bang Cookies retains the right to use alternative channels of distribution, such as the internet, catalog sales, telemarketing, or other direct marketing sales, to make sales within a franchisee's territory. Bang Cookies does not provide any compensation to the franchisee for sales made through these channels within their territory. This means that while a franchisee is required to focus their marketing efforts within their designated territory, Bang Cookies can directly compete for customers in that same area through online sales or other methods.

Bang Cookies also reserves the right to engage in activities that could introduce competition, such as acquiring or merging with other businesses, even those that offer similar products and services. While these businesses cannot operate under the Bang Cookies licensed marks within the franchisee's designated territory or development area, they can still compete for the same customer base. Additionally, Bang Cookies can distribute approved services and products through alternative channels like wholesale, retail, internet-based sales, supermarkets, and grocery stores, both within and outside the franchisee's designated territory.

Furthermore, Bang Cookies reserves the right to operate or franchise shops within captive market locations such as malls, airports, and schools, irrespective of their proximity to a franchisee's territory. These rights, collectively referred to as "Reserved Rights," allow Bang Cookies to engage in activities that could potentially impact a franchisee's sales and market share. While Bang Cookies does not currently plan to operate or franchise a business under different trademarks that would sell similar goods or services, the broad scope of their reserved rights means that the potential for competition from channels controlled by Bang Cookies is a factor prospective franchisees should carefully consider.

In summary, while a Bang Cookies franchisee is granted a designated territory, this territory is not exclusive. The franchisee may face competition from other franchisees, outlets that Bang Cookies owns, or other channels of distribution or competitive brands that Bang Cookies controls. This lack of exclusivity and the extensive reserved rights held by Bang Cookies are important considerations for anyone evaluating a Bang Cookies franchise opportunity.

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.