Is the license granted by Bang Cookies to the franchisee exclusive or non-exclusive?
Bang_Cookies Franchise · 2024 FDDAnswer from 2024 FDD Document
- (1) During the Term of this Agreement and subject to the rights of Franchisor including, but not limited to, the Reserved Rights, Franchisor grants to Franchisee and Franchisee accepts, the nonexclusive license, right and obligation to develop and operate, one Bang Cookies Shop in conformity with the System and this Agreement from a single fixed shop location, selected by Franchisee but requiring the approval of Franchisor ("Franchisee's Shop Location") and, as designated by Franchisor in Franchisor's discretion and Reasonable Business Judgment, within a Designated Territory;
During the Term of this Agreement, provided that Franchisee is in compliance with the terms and provisions of this Agreement including, but not limited to, the Development Schedule, and each respective Franchise Agreement, Franchisor will not open, operate, or license any third party the right to open or operate Bang Cookies Shops within the Development Area. Franchisee agrees that the designated territory for each Development Shop shall be determined by the Franchise Agreement for each respective Development Shops and that, in aggregate, the operating territories for Franchisee's Development Shops may be smaller than the Development Area.
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.
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; (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.
(10) The foregoing rights granted in this Article 2.A. are subject to and contingent upon each and every, term and condition of this Agreement, the rights of any prior user, and are non-exclusive and subordinate to the Reserved Rights.
Source: Item 23 — RECEIPTS (FDD pages 56–245)
What This Means (2024 FDD)
According to Bang Cookies's 2024 Franchise Disclosure Document, the franchise license granted is generally non-exclusive. The agreement grants the franchisee the nonexclusive license, right, and obligation to develop and operate one Bang Cookies Shop. This operation must conform to the System agreement from a single fixed shop location, which requires approval from Bang Cookies. This shop location must be within a Designated Territory, as determined by Bang Cookies.
However, Bang Cookies may grant development rights to a franchisee for a specific development area. During the term of the agreement, Bang Cookies will not open, operate, or license any third party to open or operate Bang Cookies Shops within the Development Area, provided the franchisee complies with the terms of the agreement, including the Development Schedule. The territory for each Development Shop will be determined by the Franchise Agreement for each shop, and the operating territories for the franchisee's Development Shops may be smaller than the Development Area.
Bang Cookies retains significant rights, including the right to operate or franchise others outside the franchisee's Designated Territory, use Licensed Marks in alternative distribution channels, and operate Bang Cookies Shops in Captive Markets, both within and outside the Designated Territory. Franchisees may face competition from other Bang Cookies Shops and System franchisees, including those in close proximity to the franchisee's location or Designated Territory, and through marketing activities that reach into the franchisee's Designated Territory. The rights granted to the franchisee are subject to all terms and conditions of the agreement and are subordinate to the Reserved Rights of Bang Cookies.