What is the 'Franchisee's Territory' in the Bang Cookies Franchise Agreement?
Bang_Cookies Franchise · 2024 FDDAnswer from 2024 FDD Document
"Designated Territory" refers to and means the territory identified and described in Schedule 1 attached to and made a part of this Agreement or, if Schedule 1 is not completed at the time of signing this Agreement, as Schedule 1 is otherwise completed in accordance with this Agreement. Franchisor, in Franchisor's Reasonable Business Judgment and discretion, shall determine the Designated Territory. If Schedule 1 is not completed and/or is not signed by Franchisor there shall be no Designated Territory.
Franchisee may face competition from other Bang Cookies Shops and other System franchisees
with shop locations and/or designated territories, including Shops that are located within Closed Markets and/or located adjacent to and/or within a close proximity to Franchisee's Shop Location and/or Designated Territory. Franchisee agrees that although Franchisor may disapprove of any marketing medium that is distributed and/or reaches outside of Franchisee's Designated Territory, that Franchisor is not obligated to do so and that Franchisee may face competition from other Bang Cookies Shops and System franchisees that market and promote their Bang Cookies Shop through internet, mail, public relations, and other marketing activities and mediums that are distributed to or within Franchisee's Designated Territory. Franchisee agrees that Franchisee shall not receive any compensation whatsoever if Franchisor or another System franchisee solicits customers from within Franchisee's Designated Territory; and
2.D. RESERVATION OF RIGHTS
Franchisor on behalf of itself, its affiliates and its assigns retains all rights, on any and all terms and conditions that Franchisor deems advisable and without any compensation or consideration to Franchisee to engage in the following activities (the "Reserved Rights"): (a) operate and grant to others the right to operate a Franchised Business, Bang Cookies Shop and/or other shops using the System and Licensed Marks at locations outside Franchisee's Designated Territory; (b) acquire or merge with or otherwise affiliate with one or more businesses of any kind, including businesses that are Competitive Businesses, 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, including Competitive Businesses (but not utilizing the Licensed Marks) within Franchisee's Designated Territory; (c) be acquired by or merge with or otherwise affiliate with one or more businesses of any kind, including businesses that are Competitive Businesses, even if such business or businesses presently or, in the future, own and operate and franchise or license others to own and operate such businesses, including Competitive Businesses (but not utilizing the Licensed Marks) within Franchisee's Designated Territory; (d) use the Licensed Marks and System to distribute the Approved Services and Products or products and services similar to the Approved Services and Products in Alternative Channels of Distribution within or outside Franchisee's Designated Territory; (e) operate and grant to others the right to operate a Bang Cookies Shop at Captive Markets, both within and outside Franchisee's Designated Territory; and (f) use the Licensed Marks and System and to license others to use the Licensed Marks and System to engage in all other activities not expressly prohibited by this Agreement. Franchisor reserves the right to offer Franchisee(s) the right to service and or be an approved supplier of other franchisees in and outside the Territory, provided, that Franchisee agreed to the Franchisor provided terms.
Source: Item 23 — RECEIPTS (FDD pages 56–245)
What This Means (2024 FDD)
According to Bang Cookies' 2024 Franchise Disclosure Document, the 'Designated Territory' refers to the specific area outlined in Schedule 1 of the Franchise Agreement. This schedule should detail the geographic boundaries within which the franchisee is expected to operate. However, the franchisor retains the discretion to determine the Designated Territory, and Schedule 1 must be completed and signed by Bang Cookies to be effective. If Schedule 1 is not completed or signed, no Designated Territory exists.
Bang Cookies may prohibit franchisees from soliciting customers outside their Designated Territory. However, franchisees may face competition from other Bang Cookies shops and franchisees, including those in 'Closed Markets' or adjacent territories. The franchisor is not obligated to disapprove of marketing that reaches outside a franchisee's territory, meaning franchisees may encounter competition from other Bang Cookies shops promoting themselves through various channels, including the internet and mail.
Bang Cookies also retains significant rights, including the right to operate or franchise others outside the franchisee's Designated Territory. They can also engage in business activities, even competitive ones (without using Bang Cookies' licensed marks), within the franchisee's territory through acquisitions, mergers, or alternative distribution channels. These rights are subject to the terms of the Franchise Agreement and are non-exclusive to the franchisee.
For a prospective Bang Cookies franchisee, it is crucial to ensure that Schedule 1 is fully completed and signed by the franchisor to clearly define the Designated Territory. Understanding the scope of the territory, the potential for competition from other franchisees, and the franchisor's reserved rights is essential for assessing the potential and risks associated with the franchise.