Does the Buona agreement prohibit a Developer from attempting to divert customers from a Buona Restaurant to a competitive business?
Buona Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
vailability is not because of a disclosure by you) and (b) disclosure of the Confidential Information in legal proceedings when you are legally required to disclose it and you have first given us the opportunity to obtain an appropriate legal protective order or other assurance satisfactory to us that the information required to be disclosed will be treated confidentially.
6.4 In-Term Non-Competition Agreement. You agree that we would be unable to protect the Confidential Information against unauthorized use or disclosure and would be unable to encourage a free exchange of ideas and information between you and us if you or your Owners were permitted to hold interests in any competitive businesses, as described below. You also acknowledge that we have entered into this Agreement with you in part in consideration of, and in reliance on, your agreement to deal exclusively with us. Therefore, during the term of this Agreement, neither you, nor any Owner, may, either directly or indirectly, for yourself or through, on behalf of, or in conjunction with, any person or legal entity, own, maintain, operate, engage in, consult with or have any interest in (as disclosed or beneficial owner) any business which offers products or services which are the same as, or similar to, those offered by a Buona Restaurant (other than through a franchise agreement with Franchisor), or any entity which is granting franchises or licenses for any business which offers products or services which are the same as, or similar to, those offered by a Buona Restaurant. (The ownership of five percent (5%) or less of a publicly traded Franchisor will not be deemed to be prohibited by this paragraph.) Further, during the term of this Agreement, you will not (1) divert customers or business from any Buona Restaurants to any other business or (2) hire any employees of ours or our affiliates.
7. DEFAULT AND TERMINATION
- 7.1 The right to open Buona Restaurants has been granted in reliance on your representations and warranties, and strictly on the conditions set forth in this Development Agreement including, without limitation, the condition that you comply strictly with the Development Schedule.
- 7.2 You shall be in default under this Agreement, and all rights granted herein to you shall automatically terminate without notice or an opportunity to cure if:
- (a) you are adjudicated bankrupt, become insolvent, commits any affirmative action of insolvency or files any action or petition of insolvency, or if a receiver (permanent or temporary) of your property or any part thereof is appointed by a court of competent authority, or if you make a general assignment for the benefit of its creditors;
- (b) if a final judgment against your business assets remains unsatisfied of record for thirty (30) days or longer (unless supersedeas bond is filed);
- (c) if execution is levied against your business or property;
- (d) if suit to foreclose any lien or mortgage against Developer's premises or business assets is instituted against you and not dismissed within thirty (30) days, or is not in the process of being dismissed; provided, however, that Franchisor reserves the right to be named as trustee or receiver in any voluntary petition for bankruptcy or insolvency filed by you;
Source: Item 22 — CONTRACTS (FDD page 78)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Buona's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, the Development Agreement addresses the diversion of customers. During the term of the agreement, a Developer is prohibited from diverting customers or business from any Buona Restaurants to any other business. This restriction ensures that the Developer focuses on growing the Buona business and does not use their position to benefit a competing establishment.
This obligation is part of the in-term non-competition agreement, which also prevents the Developer from owning, operating, or having an interest in any business that offers similar products or services to a Buona Restaurant. The agreement specifies that dealing exclusively with Buona is a key consideration for the franchisor when entering into the agreement. This clause aims to protect Buona's market share and prevent conflicts of interest during the term of the agreement.
After the agreement expires or terminates, the Developer is also restricted from diverting or attempting to divert any former business or customer of a Buona Restaurant to any competitive business for a period of two years. This post-termination covenant extends the protection of Buona's customer base even after the formal relationship ends. The definition of a "Competitive Business" is any retail establishment that derives more than ten percent of its gross sales from Italian beef and Italian sausage products and other Italian specialties.
These non-compete and non-diversion clauses are typical in franchise agreements to protect the brand's customer base and prevent franchisees from using the franchisor's confidential information and business model to compete against the system, both during and for a limited time after the franchise relationship.