Does this section of the Burros Fries agreement prohibit any specific actions by the franchisee?
Burros_Fries Franchise · 2024 FDDAnswer from 2024 FDD Document
trolled by or under common control with Franchisee. The initial Franchisee's Principals shall be listed on Schedule 7 of this Agreement.
C. Franchisee Will Not Compete Against Franchisor
Franchisee specifically acknowledges that, pursuant to this Agreement, Franchisee will receive valuable specialized training, our Confidential Information and our System.
Franchisee agrees that, except as otherwise approved in writing by us, Franchisee shall not, during the term of this Agreement and for a period of two (2) years from the date of (i) a transfer permitted under this Agreement; (ii) the expiration or termination of this Agreement (regardless of the cause for termination); or (iii) a final order of a duly authorized arbitrator, panel of arbitrators, or a court of competent jurisdiction (after all appeals have been taken) with respect to any of the foregoing or with respect to the enforcement of this Section 19.C, either directly or indirectly for itself, or through, on behalf of, or in conjunction with, any person, persons, or legal entity, own, maintain, operate, engage in, be employed by, or have any interest in any business using any aspect of the System, the overall Burros & Fries business concept, with similar Products and/or Services within a ten (10) mile radius of the Accepted Location designated hereunder, or within a ten (10) mile radius of any other System franchise or company-owned business in existence or planned as of the time of termination or expiration of this Agreement as identified in the Franchise Disclosure Document in effect as of the date of expiration or termination of this Agreement.
The unenforceability of all or part of this covenant not to compete in any jurisdiction will not affect the enforceability of this covenant not to compete in any other jurisdictions, or the enforceability of the remainder of this Agreement. This covenant not to compete is given in part in specific consideration for access to trade secrets provided as a part of our training or ongoing support programs. In any jurisdiction in which the covenant contained in this Section 19 or any part of it is deemed not enforceable in whole or in part, Franchisee hereby grants us an option to purchase Franchisee's Business on expiration or termination of this Agreement. In such case, we may exercise this option by giving thirty (30) days' written
notice to Franchisee (Sections 22.C and 22.E). On termination or expiration, Franchisee will deliver to us a list of these Assets (as described in Section 24.G) and their cost as well as receipts evidencing their cost. Franchisee must relinquish possession on receipt of payment, but no later than ninety (90) days after expiration or termination. Franchisee's other post termination obligations under this Agreement and by law remain in effect on termination or expiration of this Agreement.
D. Exception to Covenant Not to Compete
Section 19.C hereof shall not apply to ownership by Franchisee or any of its Owners of less than a five percent (5%) beneficial interest in the outstanding equity securities of any Publicly-Held Corporation. As used in this Agreement the term "Publicly-Held Corporation" shall be deemed to refer to a corporation which has securities that has been registered under the Federal Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
E. Franchisee Will Not Divert Business
During the term of this Agreement and for a period of two (2) years following the expiration or termination of this Agreement, Franchisee agrees that it will not, either directly or indirectly, for itself, or through, on behalf of, or in conjunction with any person, persons, or legal entity:
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- Solicit, service, sell or attempt to divert business directly or indirectly to any competitor by direct or indirect inducement or otherwise, or any patrons of its Business or any other franchisee including company-owned businesses with which or with whom Franchisee has had contact during the term of this Agreement to any competitor by direct or indirect inducement or otherwise; or
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- Do or perform, directly or indirectly, any other act injurious or prejudicial to the goodwill associated with the Names and Marks or the System or both; or
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- Induce, directly or indirectly, any person (regardless of position) who is at that time employed by us or by any other franchisee of ours, to leave his or her employment.
Source: Item 22 — CONTRACTS (FDD page 53)
What This Means (2024 FDD)
According to the 2024 Burros Fries Franchise Disclosure Document, the franchise agreement places several restrictions on franchisee activities, primarily related to competition, confidentiality, and approved suppliers.
During the term of the agreement and for two years after any transfer, expiration, or termination, franchisees are prohibited from owning, operating, or having any interest in a business using the Burros Fries system or concept, with similar products or services, within a 10-mile radius of their location or any other Burros Fries franchise. This non-compete clause protects Burros Fries' market presence and confidential information. Franchisees are also restricted from disclosing or using any confidential and proprietary information, including strategies, recipes, techniques, and other operational details, both during and after the agreement term. This ensures the protection of Burros Fries' trade secrets and competitive advantage.
Franchisees must purchase or lease all products, supplies, and kitchen equipment from Burros Fries, its affiliates, or approved vendors. This requirement ensures consistency and quality control across all franchise locations. Franchisees are prohibited from buying from unapproved sources without written permission, and failure to comply may result in termination of the agreement.
Additionally, franchisees are limited in their online activities. They cannot establish or use any website or engage in internet promotions without prior written approval from Burros Fries and must adhere to the franchisor's requirements for online representation of the business. These restrictions are designed to maintain brand uniformity, protect confidential information, and ensure quality control within the Burros Fries franchise system.