factual

What constitutes an 'Event of Default' that would trigger remedies for the Secured Party under the Buona Franchise Agreement?

Buona Franchise · 2025 FDD

Answer from 2025 FDD Document

3. Default.

  • 3.1. Definitions. The term "Event of Default" means the occurrence and continuation of any one (1) or more of the following events:
    • (a) any failure of Debtor promptly and faithfully to pay, observe and perform, when due, any of the Obligations;
    • (b) if Debtor becomes insolvent, commits an act of bankruptcy, files a voluntary petition in bankruptcy, or an involuntary petition in bankruptcy is filed, or a permanent or temporary receiver or trustee for the Franchised Restaurant, or all or substantially all of the Debtor's property, is appointed by any court and such appointment is not actively opposed through legal action, or Debtor makes an assignment or arrangement for the benefit of creditors, or calls a meeting of creditors, or Debtor makes a written statement to the effect that he or it is unable to pay his or its debts as they become due, or a levy of execution is made upon Debtor, or an attachment or lien outstanding with respect to the Franchised Restaurant for thirty (30) days, unless the attachment or lien is being duly contested in good faith by Debtor and Secured Party is advised in writing
    • (c) if Debtor loses possession or the right of possession of all or a significant part of the Franchised Restaurant through condemnation or casualty and the Franchised Restaurant is not relocated or reopened as required by the Franchise Agreement;
  • (d) if Debtor abandons, surrenders or transfers control of the operation of the Franchised Business without Secured Party's prior written consent; or
  • (e) if Debtor is a corporation, limited liability company, partnership, joint venture or other legal entity, any action is taken which purports to merge, consolidate, dissolve or liquidate Debtor without the prior written consent of Secured Party.
  • 3.2. Remedies. Upon the occurrence of an Event of Default, all amounts payable to Secured Party shall become immediately due and payable and Secured Party shall have all the rights and remedies of a secured party under the Uniform Commercial Code as in effect in the state or states in which the Collateral may be located, including, but not limited to, the right to enter upon the Franchised Restaurant peaceably and remove all Collateral. Secured Party shall give Debtor reasonable notice of the time and place of any public or private sale or other intended disposition of all or any particular Collateral, as the case may be. Debtor agrees that the requirement of reasonable notice shall be met if notice is mailed to Debtor at its address first above written not less than five (5) business days prior to the sale or other disposition. Expenses of retaking, holding, preparing for sale, selling or the like, shall include, without limitation, Secured Party's reasonable attorneys' fees and other legal expenses. Secured Party's rights and remedies, whether pursuant hereto or pursuant to the Illinois Uniform Commercial Code or any other statute or rule of law conferring rights similar to those conferred by the Illinois Uniform Commercial Code, shall be cumulative and not alternative.

Source: Item 22 — CONTRACTS (FDD page 78)

What This Means (2025 FDD)

According to Buona's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, an 'Event of Default' that triggers remedies for the Secured Party is defined within the Security Agreement. The Security Agreement outlines several scenarios that constitute an Event of Default. These include failure to promptly pay or perform any obligations, becoming insolvent, committing an act of bankruptcy, or having a receiver or trustee appointed for the Buona restaurant or the debtor's property, provided such appointment is not actively opposed through legal action.

Additional events of default include making an assignment for the benefit of creditors, calling a meeting of creditors, making a written statement of inability to pay debts, or facing a levy of execution, attachment, or lien on the Buona restaurant for 30 days, unless contested in good faith and the Secured Party is informed in writing. Furthermore, an event of default occurs if the debtor loses possession of the Buona restaurant due to condemnation or casualty, and the restaurant is not relocated or reopened as required by the Franchise Agreement. Finally, it is an event of default if the debtor abandons, surrenders, or transfers control of the restaurant without the Secured Party's written consent, or if the debtor, being a legal entity, undertakes actions to merge, consolidate, dissolve, or liquidate without the Secured Party's prior written consent.

Upon the occurrence of any of these Events of Default, all amounts payable to the Secured Party become immediately due, and the Secured Party has all rights and remedies of a secured party under the Uniform Commercial Code. This includes the right to enter the Buona restaurant and remove the collateral. The Secured Party must provide reasonable notice of any sale or disposition of the collateral, which is satisfied by mailing notice to the debtor at least five business days prior to the action. The expenses of retaking and selling the collateral, including attorney's fees, are the responsibility of the debtor. These rights and remedies are cumulative and not alternative, as per the Illinois Uniform Commercial Code or any other applicable law.

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.