Can Better Blend terminate the franchise agreement without cause?
Better_Blend Franchise · 2024 FDDAnswer from 2024 FDD Document
| Provision | Section in franchise | Summary |
|---|---|---|
| d. Termination by | FA: § 14.1 | If we violate a material provision of the |
| franchisee | ||
| MUDA: § 4 | franchise agreement and fail to cure or to make | |
| substantial progress toward curing the violation | ||
| within 30 days after notice from you. | ||
| If you sign a MUDA, you may terminate it at | ||
| any time. | ||
| e. Termination by | ||
| franchisor without cause | ||
| f. Termination by | We may terminate your agreement for cause, | |
| franchisor with cause | ||
| subject to any applicable notice and cure | ||
| opportunity. | ||
| If you sign a Multi-Unit Development | ||
| Agreement, termination of your MUDA does | ||
| not give us the right to terminate your franchise | ||
| agreement. However, if your franchise | ||
| agreement is terminated, we have the right to | ||
| terminate your MUDA. | ||
| g. “Cause” defined-- | Non-payment by you (10 days to cure); violate | |
| curable defaults | ||
| franchise agreement other than non-curable | ||
| default (30 days to cure). | ||
| h. “Cause” defined--non- | FA: Misrepresentation when applying to be a | |
| curable defaults | ||
| franchisee; knowingly submitting false | ||
| information; bankruptcy; fail to open by | ||
| specified deadline; lose possession of your | ||
| location; violation of law; violation of | ||
| confidentiality; violation of non-compete; | ||
| violation of ethics and values; violation of | ||
| transfer restrictions; slander or libel of us; | ||
| refusal to cooperate with our business | ||
| inspection; cease operations; operate in a | ||
| manner dangerous to health or safety (if not | ||
| corrected within 48 hours); score below 90/A | ||
| on government health inspections more than | ||
| twice in 36 months; score below passing grade | ||
| on brand inspection more than twice in 36 | ||
| months; three defaults in 12 months; cross- | ||
| termination; | ||
| a felony, or commission or accusation of an act | ||
| that is reasonably likely to materially and | ||
| unfavorably affect our brand; any other breach | ||
| or other agreement | of franchise agreement which by its nature cannot be cured. MUDA: failure to meet development schedule; violation of franchise agreement or other agreement which gives us the right to terminate it. |
Source: Item 17 — RENEWAL, TERMINATION, TRANSFER, AND DISPUTE RESOLUTION (FDD pages 34–38)
What This Means (2024 FDD)
According to Better Blend's 2024 Franchise Disclosure Document, the table in Item 17 addresses the conditions for termination of the franchise agreement. Specifically, it outlines circumstances under which the franchisee can terminate the agreement, and those under which Better Blend can terminate the agreement with cause. However, there is no summary of Better Blend's ability to terminate the franchise agreement without cause.
Because the FDD excerpt does not explicitly state whether Better Blend can terminate the franchise agreement without cause, prospective franchisees should seek clarification from Better Blend regarding this matter. Understanding the conditions under which Better Blend can terminate the agreement, both with and without cause, is crucial for assessing the risks associated with investing in a Better Blend franchise.
It is common practice in the franchise industry for franchise agreements to specify the conditions under which either party can terminate the agreement, including any provisions for termination without cause. Therefore, the absence of this information in the FDD excerpt warrants further investigation to ensure a comprehensive understanding of the franchise relationship and potential termination scenarios.