factual

Under what conditions will Buona not license anyone other than the developer to establish a Franchised Restaurant in the Development Area?

Buona Franchise · 2025 FDD

Answer from 2025 FDD Document

The terms and conditions of each such Franchise Agreement shall control the establishment and operation of such Franchised Restaurant.

  • 1.3 Except as otherwise provided in this Agreement, and as long you are in compliance with the Development Schedule and otherwise in compliance with this Agreement, we shall not establish, nor license anyone other than Developer the right to establish any Franchised Restaurant in the Development Area prior to the expiration of the Development Schedule set forth in Exhibit B.

As an alternative to a contiguous Development Area in which all Franchised Restaurants will be developed, we may designate a separate Development Area for each Franchised Restaurant to be developed and each specified Development Area will expire according to the development deadlines for that particular Franchised Restaurant as set forth in Exhibit B.

We (and any affiliate) reserve the right to:

  • (a) distribute products and services which comprise, may in the future comprise or which do not comprise, a part of the System through any alternative distribution channels including, but not limited to, supermarkets and other retail facilities, wholesale sale, catalogs, direct marketing, the Internet or similar electronic media, using the Marks ("Alternate Distribution Channels");

  • (b) establish businesses which are franchised, licensed or owned by Franchisor or any affiliate at any locations Franchisor deems appropriate or distribute products or services which are similar to the products and services offered under the System under trade names, trademarks, service marks, trade dress or other commercial symbols other than the Marks.

  • (c) to acquire or be acquired by a Franchisor establishing businesses identical or similar to the Franchised Restaurant, even if the other business operates, franchises, and/or licenses competitive businesses anywhere, including the Protected Area; and

  • (d) to implement and maintain multi-area marketing programs at any time, including internet and regional or national accounts.

Franchisor reserves the right to establish mandatory policies and procedures for these multi-area marketing programs; and

  • (e) to engage in any other business activities not expressly prohibited by this Agreement.

Franchisor Five Flavors Franchising LLC reserves the right to grant franchises and/or development rights for the development of The Original Rainbow Cone Restaurants within any Development Area that is specified only for the development of a Buona Restaurant.

Source: Item 22 — CONTRACTS (FDD page 78)

What This Means (2025 FDD)

According to Buona's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, Buona will not establish or license anyone other than the developer to establish a Franchised Restaurant in the Development Area under specific conditions. This exclusivity is maintained as long as the developer complies with the Development Schedule and remains in compliance with the Development Agreement. This protection remains in effect until the Development Schedule outlined in Exhibit B expires.

Buona may designate separate Development Areas for each Franchised Restaurant, with each area expiring according to the development deadlines specified in Exhibit B for that particular restaurant. However, Buona retains the right to distribute products and services through alternative channels like supermarkets, wholesale, catalogs, direct marketing, and the Internet, even within the Development Area.

It is important to note that this agreement does not grant the developer the right to sub-franchise or license others to operate a Buona business. Additionally, Five Flavors Franchising LLC, Buona's parent company, reserves the right to grant franchises or development rights for The Original Rainbow Cone Restaurants within a Development Area designated for a Buona Restaurant. Therefore, while Buona provides a level of exclusivity, it also retains significant flexibility in how it operates and expands its brands.

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.