factual

What right does Canopy Lawn Care grant to the franchisee for the initial term of the agreement?

Canopy_Lawn_Care Franchise · 2025 FDD

Answer from 2025 FDD Document

s imposed on Franchisee upon expiration of this Agreement shall be deemed to take effect upon termination of the Interim Period.

4. TERRITORY

  • 4.1 During the Initial Term and any Interim Period and for so long as Franchisee is in compliance with all of its obligations hereunder, except as otherwise provided in this Agreement, including Franchisor's reservation of rights as set forth in Sections 4.2, 4.4 and 4.7, neither Franchisor nor any Affiliate will establish or license another person or entity to establish a Lawn Care Business using the Marks licensed to Franchisee within the Territory encompassed by the boundaries and with the population base set forth in Attachment A, attached hereto and incorporated herein by reference. Except as otherwise specifically provided in this Agreement, this Agreement does not restrict Franchisor or its Affiliates and does not grant rights to Franchisee to pursue any of Franchisor's or its Affiliates other business concepts other than the Lawn Care Business.
  • 4.2 Franchisee acknowledges that the Franchise granted hereunder is non-exclusive and that Franchisor and its Affiliates retain the exclusive right, among others:
    • (a) to use, and to license others to use, the Marks and System for the operation of Lawn Care Businesses at any location other than in the Territory, regardless of proximity to the Territory;
    • (b) to use, license or franchise the use of trademarks or service marks other than the Marks, whether in alternative channels of distribution or at any location including the Territory, in association with operations that are the same as, similar to or different than a Lawn Care Business;
    • (c) to use the Marks and the System in connection with the provision of other services and products or in alternative channels of distribution such as those described in 4.2(d), at any location including the Territory;
    • (d) to offer the Services or Products, or grant others the right to offer the Services or Products, whether using the Marks or other trademarks or service marks, through alternative channels of distribution, including without limitation, wholesalers, retail outlets or other distribution outlets (other than Lawn Care Businesses), or by Internet commerce (e-commerce), mail order or otherwise, whether inside or outside the Territory;

  • (e) to use any websites utilizing a domain name incorporating one or more of the words "Canopy Lawn Care" or similar derivatives thereof. Franchisor retains the sole right to market on the Internet and use the Marks on the Internet, including all use of websites, domain names, URL's, directory addresses, metatags, linking, advertising, and co-branding and other arrangements. Franchisee may not independently market on the Internet, or use any domain name, address, locator, link, metatag, or search technique, with words or symbols similar to the Marks or otherwise establish any presence on the Internet without Franchisor's prior written approval. Franchisor intends that any Franchisee website be accessed only through Franchisor's home page. Franchisee will provide Franchisor with content for Franchisor's Internet marketing, and will sign Internet and intranet usage agreements, if any. Franchisor retains the right to approve any linking or other use of its website;
  • (f) to acquire businesses that are the same as or similar to the Lawn Care Business and operate such businesses regardless of where such businesses are located, including inside the Territory and to be acquired by any third party which operates businesses that are the same as or similar to the Lawn Care Business regardless of where such businesses are located, including inside the Territory; and
  • (g) to directly or indirectly provide services to National Accounts located inside or outside the Territory as further described in Section 4.7.
  • 4.3 Franchisee may be granted, at Franchisor's sole discretion, express permission to sell or service customers in an unsold territory adjacent to Franchisee's Territory ("Adjacent Territory"); provided that Franchisee agrees that when the Adjacent Territory is granted to another franchisee by Franchisor, Franchisee will, upon receipt of written notice from Franchisor, cease all its sales and service efforts within the Adjacent Territory and, within 10 days of such notice: (a) return to Franchisor all lists of customers and prospects within the Adjacent Territory; (b) assign all customer contracts within the Adjacent Territory to Franchisor or its designee; and (c) pay to Franchisor any amounts (or a pro rata portion of any amounts) paid by customers within the Adjacent Territory for Services Franchisee has not yet performed. For example, if a customer pre-paid for services and Franchisee had performed half of the services, Franchisee must pay to Franchisor 50% of the amount the customer paid Franchisee. Franchisee shall report Gross Revenues from sales in an Adjacent Territory on a separate reporting form.

Source: Item 22 — CONTRACTS (FDD page 55)

What This Means (2025 FDD)

According to Canopy Lawn Care's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, franchisees are granted a license to operate a lawn care business within a specific territory for an initial term of ten years. During this initial term, Canopy Lawn Care agrees not to establish or license another entity to operate a similar lawn care business using the franchised marks within the franchisee's designated territory, as defined in Attachment A of the Franchise Agreement. This agreement is contingent upon the franchisee's compliance with all obligations outlined in the agreement.

However, the rights granted to the franchisee are non-exclusive. Canopy Lawn Care retains the right to use and license others to use the marks and system outside the franchisee's territory, regardless of proximity. They can also use other trademarks or service marks, even those similar to the franchised marks, in alternative distribution channels or locations, including within the franchisee's territory. Canopy Lawn Care also maintains the right to use the marks and system in connection with other services and products, or through alternative distribution channels like wholesalers, retail outlets, e-commerce, or mail order, both inside and outside the territory.

Furthermore, Canopy Lawn Care reserves the right to use websites with domain names incorporating "Canopy Lawn Care" or similar terms. They also retain the sole right to market on the Internet and use the marks online. Franchisees are restricted from independently marketing online or using domain names similar to the marks without prior written approval from Canopy Lawn Care. Canopy Lawn Care also has the right to acquire similar businesses, even within the franchisee's territory, and to provide services to national accounts both inside and outside the territory. Franchisees may be granted permission to sell or service customers in an unsold territory adjacent to their own, but this is at Canopy Lawn Care's discretion and can be revoked with written notice.

Upon such notice, the franchisee must cease operations in the adjacent territory, return customer lists, assign customer contracts, and remit any unearned amounts paid by customers in the adjacent territory. This means that while franchisees are granted certain territorial protections, Canopy Lawn Care retains significant rights to operate and expand its business through other channels and territories, which could potentially impact a franchisee's business.

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.