Must the original Carbones Pizzeria franchisee sign a release as a condition of transfer approval?
Carbones_Pizzeria Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
| Provision | Section in | Summary |
|---|---|---|
| Franchise Agreement | ||
| a. Length of the Franchise term | Section 2 | 10 years from date of signing the Franchise Agreement |
| b. Renewal or extension of the term | Section 2 (See Note 2) | One 10 year term |
| c. Requirements for franchisee to renew or extend | Section 2 | Sign new agreement (which may contain materially different terms and conditions than your original Franchise Agreement), pay renewal fee, update your Restaurant to meet our then-current requirements for new restaurants |
| d. Termination by franchisee | None | Not applicable |
| e. Termination by franchisor without | None | Not applicable |
| cause | ||
| f. Termination by franchisor with cause | Section 15 | We may terminate only if you do one of the things described in Section 15 |
| g. "Cause" defined – curable defaults | Sections 15(e) through 15(f) | You have 30 days to cure nonpayment of fees, sanitation problems, non submission of reports and any other default not listed in Section 15 |
| h. "Cause" defined – non-curable defaults | Sections 15(a) through 15(d) | Non curable defaults include abandonment, trademark misuse and conviction of an offense directly related to the Restaurant business |
| i. Franchisee's obligations on termination/nonrenewal | Section 16 | Obligations include complete de identification and payment of amounts due. (See also "Noncompetition covenants after the franchise is terminated or expires" below.) |
| j. Assignment of contract by franchisor | No restriction on our right to assign | |
| k. "Transfer" by franchisee – defined | Sections 13 and 14 | Includes transfer of Franchise Agreement or assets or ownership change |
| l. Franchisor's approval of transfer by franchisee | Section 13 | We have the right to approve all transfers but will not unreasonably withhold approval so long as all conditions to transfer have been satisfied |
| m. Conditions for franchisor approval of transfer | Section 13(b) | New franchisee qualifies, transfer fee paid, training completed, release signed by you and current agreement signed by new franchisee. (The new agreement may provide for different fees or territory than in your agreement, but we will not require the transferee to pay us a |
Source: Item 17 — RENEWAL, TERMINATION, TRANSFER AND DISPUTE RESOLUTION (FDD pages 24–26)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to the 2025 Carbones Pizzeria Franchise Disclosure Document, a release must be signed by the original franchisee as a condition for transfer approval. Carbones Pizzeria has the right to approve all transfers, and will not unreasonably withhold approval as long as all conditions are met. These conditions include the new franchisee meeting Carbones Pizzeria's qualifications, payment of a transfer fee, completion of training, and the signing of a release by the original franchisee.
This requirement means that if a franchisee wants to sell their Carbones Pizzeria franchise, they must sign a release as part of the transfer process. The release likely covers any remaining liabilities or obligations the original franchisee may have to Carbones Pizzeria. It protects Carbones Pizzeria from potential future claims or disputes related to the original franchisee's operation of the franchise.
Furthermore, the new franchisee must also sign the current agreement. This new agreement may include different fees or territory arrangements than the original agreement. However, Carbones Pizzeria will not require the new franchisee to pay a new initial franchise fee. This ensures a smooth transition and protects the interests of Carbones Pizzeria, the original franchisee, and the new franchisee.