Does the Bevaris Alliance indemnity cover loss of profit suffered by the Franchisor?
Bevaris_Alliance Franchise · 2024 FDDAnswer from 2024 FDD Document
with such deletion as may be necessary to make it valid or effective.
21. Indemnity
- 21.1 In this clause, a reference to Franchisor shall include Franchisor's subsidiaries and affiliates, and the provisions of this clause shall be for the benefit of Franchisor and each such subsidiary and affiliate and shall be enforceable by each such subsidiary and affiliate, in addition to Franchisor.
- 21.2 Franchisee shall indemnify Franchisor against all liabilities, costs, expenses, damages and losses (including any direct, indirect or consequential losses, loss of profit, loss of reputation and all interest, penalties and legal costs including attorney's fees (calculated on a full indemnity basis) and all other reasonable professional costs and expenses) suffered or incurred by Franchisor arising out of or in connection with:
- (a) Franchisee's breach or negligent performance or non-performance of this agreement;
- (b) the enforcement of this agreement;
- (c) any claim made against Franchisor by a third party to the extent that such claim arises out of the breach, negligent performance or failure or delay in performance of this agreement by Franchisee, its employees, agents or subcontractors; and
- (d) any claim made against Franchisor by a third party for death, personal injury or damage to property to the extent attributable to the acts or omissions of Franchisee, its employees, agents or subcontractors.
- 21.3 This indemnity shall not cover Franchisor to the extent that a claim under it results from Franchisor's negligence or willful misconduct.
- 21.4 Liability under this indemnity is conditional on Franchisor discharging the following obligations. If any third party makes a claim, or notifies an intention to make a claim, against Franchisor which may reasonably be considered likely to give rise to a liability under this indemnity (Claim), Franchisor shall:
- (a) as soon as reasonably practicable, give written notice of the Claim to Franchisee, specifying the nature of the Claim in reasonable detail;
- (b) not make any admission of liability, agreement or compromise in relation to the Claim without the prior written consent of Franchisee (such consent not to be unreasonably conditioned, withheld or delayed), provided that Franchisor may settle the Claim (after giving prior written notice of the terms of settlement (to the extent legally possible) to Franchisee, but without obtaining Franchisee's consent) if Franchisor reasonably believes that failure to settle the Claim would be prejudicial to it in any material respect;
- (c) give Franchisee and its professional advisers access at reasonable times (on reasonable prior notice) to its premises and its officers, directors, employees, agents, representatives or advisers, and to any relevant assets, accounts, documents and records within the power or control of Franchisor, so as to enable Franchisee and its professional advisers to examine them and to take copies (at Franchisee's expense) for the purpose of assessing the Claim;
Source: Item 23 — RECEIPT (FDD pages 22–88)
What This Means (2024 FDD)
According to the 2024 Bevaris Alliance Franchise Disclosure Document, the franchisee's indemnity does cover the franchisor's loss of profit. Specifically, the franchisee is required to indemnify Bevaris Alliance against all liabilities, costs, expenses, damages, and losses suffered or incurred by Bevaris Alliance. This includes direct, indirect, or consequential losses, loss of profit, and loss of reputation. It also extends to all interest, penalties, and legal costs, including attorney's fees calculated on a full indemnity basis, and all other reasonable professional costs and expenses.
This indemnity obligation arises from several circumstances. These include the franchisee's breach, negligent performance, or non-performance of the franchise agreement. It also applies to the enforcement of the agreement and any third-party claim against Bevaris Alliance resulting from the franchisee's breach, negligent performance, or failure to perform. Additionally, it covers claims against Bevaris Alliance by a third party for death, personal injury, or property damage attributable to the franchisee's acts or omissions.
However, the indemnity does not cover Bevaris Alliance to the extent that a claim results from Bevaris Alliance's negligence or willful misconduct. The franchisee's liability under this indemnity is conditional on Bevaris Alliance fulfilling certain obligations. These include providing written notice of any claim to the franchisee, not making any admission of liability without the franchisee's consent, allowing the franchisee access to relevant information for assessing the claim, and taking action to avoid, dispute, or defend the claim as reasonably requested by the franchisee, provided the franchisee offers security to cover potential losses.