What constitutes an 'Event of Default' that would trigger the security interest provisions for a Buona franchise?
Buona Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer 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 Buona 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 Buona 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 Buona Restaurant through condemnation or casualty and the Buona 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 Buona 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 would trigger the security interest provisions includes several scenarios related to the franchisee's financial stability, operational conduct, and legal standing. These events allow Buona, as the secured party, to protect its interests in the franchise agreement and the associated assets.
Specifically, an Event of Default occurs if the franchisee fails to promptly pay, observe, and perform any of their obligations under the franchise agreement. It also includes situations where the franchisee becomes insolvent, commits an act of bankruptcy, files for bankruptcy, or has a receiver or trustee appointed for the Buona Restaurant or their property, unless actively opposed through legal action. Making an assignment for the benefit of creditors, calling a meeting of creditors, stating an inability to pay debts, or experiencing a levy of execution, attachment, or lien on the restaurant for more than thirty days (unless contested in good faith with notice to Buona) also constitute default events.
Further, abandoning, surrendering, or transferring control of the franchised business without Buona's prior written consent triggers a default. If the franchisee is a legal entity, any action to merge, consolidate, dissolve, or liquidate without Buona's written consent also constitutes an Event of Default. Upon such an event, all amounts payable to Buona become immediately due, and Buona has the rights of a secured party under the Uniform Commercial Code, including the right to enter the restaurant and remove collateral after providing reasonable notice (defined as at least five business days' notice mailed to the franchisee's address).