Can the Individual's liability under the Bevaris Alliance agreement be affected by any legal limitations of the Franchisee?
Bevaris_Alliance Franchise · 2024 FDDAnswer from 2024 FDD Document
22.3 The Individual's liability under this clause 22 shall be joint and several and shall not be reduced, discharged or adversely affected in any way, by:
(a) any unenforceability, invalidity, irregularity, frustration or discharge by operation of law of any of the Franchisee's obligations under this agreement; or
(b) any legal limitation, disability, incapacity or other circumstances relating to the Franchisee or any other person; or
Source: Item 23 — RECEIPT (FDD pages 22–88)
What This Means (2024 FDD)
According to Bevaris Alliance's 2024 Franchise Disclosure Document, the individual's liability as a guarantor is not reduced or affected by any legal limitations, disability, incapacity, or other circumstances relating to the franchisee. This means that even if the franchisee faces legal or financial difficulties that limit their ability to fulfill their obligations, the individual guarantor remains fully liable.
This clause protects Bevaris Alliance by ensuring that the obligations under the franchise agreement are met regardless of the franchisee's circumstances. The individual's guarantee is a continuing one, remaining in effect until the franchisee has fully paid and performed all obligations under the agreement. The individual cannot exercise rights of subrogation and indemnity, or benefit from any security related to the franchisee's obligations, until all obligations are fulfilled.
Furthermore, the individual must ensure the franchisee performs all obligations, devote full-time attention to the business, be a director, officer, or managing member of the franchisee, and hold more than 50% of the voting capital. This indicates that Bevaris Alliance expects the individual to be actively involved in the franchise's operations and financially invested in its success. The individual also cannot assign or transfer their rights or obligations under the agreement.
This arrangement carries significant risk for the individual, as they are personally liable for the franchisee's debts and obligations. Prospective franchisees should carefully consider the implications of this guarantee and seek legal advice before signing the franchise agreement. They should also assess their own financial capacity and willingness to be actively involved in the business to mitigate the risk of default.