factual

For how long after the termination of the Buff City Soap agreement does the non-compete apply to the Developer?

Buff_City_Soap Franchise · 2025 FDD

Answer from 2025 FDD Document

  • (a) Non-Compete. Developer and each of its Principals covenant and agree that during the Term, and for a continuous uninterrupted period of two years following its expiration, termination, or an approved Transfer and with respect to a Principal, following the date the Principal ceases to be a Principal under this Agreement, Developer and each of its Principals, as applicable, will not, without Franchisor's prior written consent, either directly or indirectly, for itself or themselves, or through, on behalf of, or in conjunction with, any Person, firm, partnership, corporation, or other Entity:
  • (1) Divert or attempt to divert any actual or prospective business or customer of any of the Makeries to any Competitive Business, by direct or indirect inducement or otherwise.
  • (2) Do or perform directly or indirectly any other act injurious to or prejudicial to the goodwill associated with the Marks and the System;
  • (3) Own, maintain, operate, be employed by, engage in, franchise, lease property to, advise, help, make loans to, or have any interest in, either directly or indirectly, any Competitive Business. During the Term, these restrictions apply to any Competitive Business located within the United States (excluding Developer's Existing Brands). Following the expiration of the Term, termination of this Agreement, or an approved Transfer of this Agreement and with respect to a Principal, following the date the Principal ceases to be a Principal under this Agreement, this restriction will apply to any Competitive Business located (1) within the Territory; (2) at or within three miles of any Buff City Soap Makery then operating or under construction within or outside the United States, except as otherwise approved in writing by Franchisor.

If any part of these restrictions is found to be unreasonable in time or distance, each month of time or mile of distance may be deemed a separate unit so that the time or distance may be reduced by appropriate order of the court to that deemed reasonable. If, at any time during the two year period following the expiration, termination, or approved Transfer of this Agreement or the date any Principal ceases to be a Principal under this Agreement, Developer or its Principals fail to comply with its obligations under this Section 8(a), that period of non-compliance will not be credited toward satisfaction of the two-year period.

Source: Item 23 — Receipts (FDD pages 69–186)

What This Means (2025 FDD)

According to Buff City Soap's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, the non-compete agreement for the Developer lasts for two years following the expiration, termination, or approved transfer of the agreement. This restriction also applies to a Principal for two years after they cease to be a Principal under the agreement.

During this two-year period, the Developer and its Principals are restricted from engaging in any Competitive Business. During the term of the agreement, this applies to any Competitive Business located within the United States, excluding the Developer's Existing Brands. After the agreement ends, the restriction applies to any Competitive Business located within the Territory, or within three miles of any Buff City Soap Makery then operating or under construction, whether inside or outside the United States, unless the Franchisor provides written approval otherwise.

It's important to note that if the Developer or its Principals fail to comply with the non-compete obligations at any point during the two-year period, the period of non-compliance will not count towards fulfilling the two-year requirement. Additionally, if any part of these restrictions is deemed unreasonable in terms of time or distance, a court may reduce the time or distance to what is considered reasonable.

Disclaimer: This information is extracted from the 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document and is provided for research purposes only. It does not constitute legal or financial advice. Consult with a franchise attorney before making any investment decisions.