What are 'Anti-Terrorism Laws' as defined in the Ben Jerrys Development Agreement?
Ben_Jerrys Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
- 8.8 DEVELOPER agrees to comply with and/or to assist BEN & JERRY'S to the fullest extent possible in BEN & JERRY'S efforts to comply with Anti-Terrorism Laws (as defined below).
In connection with such compliance, DEVELOPER certifies, represents, and warrants that none of DEVELOPER's property or interests are subject to being "blocked" under any of the Anti-Terrorism Laws, and that DEVELOPER is not otherwise in violation of any of the Anti-Terrorism Laws. "Anti-Terrorism Laws" means Executive Order 13224 issued by the President of the United States, the USA PATRIOT Act, the USA Freedom Act, and all other present and future U.S. federal, state and local laws, ordinances, regulations, policies, lists and any other requirements of any governmental authority addressing or in any way relating to
terrorist acts and acts of war. Any violation of the Anti-Terrorism Laws by DEVELOPER, DEVELOPER'S employees, or any "blocking" of DEVELOPER's assets under the Anti-Terrorism Laws shall constitute grounds for immediate termination of this Agreement and any other agreement DEVELOPER have entered with BEN & JERRY'S or its affiliates in accordance with the termination provisions of this Agreement.
Source: Item 23 — RECEIPTS (FDD pages 134–358)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Ben Jerrys' 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, the Development Agreement defines "Anti-Terrorism Laws" as encompassing a range of legal mandates. These include Executive Order 13224 issued by the President of the United States, the USA PATRIOT Act, the USA Freedom Act, and all other present and future U.S. federal, state and local laws, ordinances, regulations, policies, lists and any other requirements of any governmental authority addressing or in any way relating to terrorist acts and acts of war.
Ben Jerrys requires its developers to comply fully with these Anti-Terrorism Laws and to assist Ben & Jerry's in its own compliance efforts. As part of this, a developer must certify that none of their property or interests are subject to being "blocked" under these laws and that they are not in violation of any of them.
Any violation of these laws by the developer or their employees, or any blocking of the developer's assets under these laws, constitutes grounds for immediate termination of the Development Agreement and any other agreements the developer has with Ben Jerrys or its affiliates. This clause highlights the critical importance Ben Jerrys places on adhering to anti-terrorism regulations and the severe consequences for failing to do so.