Can the Principal Owner of a Card My Yard franchise engage in other businesses?
Card_My_Yard Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
Unless a separate General Manager is approved by us as described in Section VII.E(2), your Principal Owner must devote full time and best efforts to the supervision of the Card My Yard business(s) operated by you and your Affiliates.
Without our written consent, your Principal Owner shall not engage in any business other than the operation of your Card My Yard business(s).
Your Principal Owner and any General Manager whom we approve must be empowered with full authority to act for you.
- (2) Before the Opening Date you must designate, and all times thereafter retain, a General Manager who meets our qualifications to supervise the operation of your Card My Yard business.
Your Principal Owner may serve as the General Manager of your Card My Yard business, provided that he or she may not serve as the General Manager for more than one Card My Yard business at the same time.
Subject to our written consent, you may elect to designate an individual other than your Principal Owner for the position of General Manager.
Your General Manager must devote full time and best efforts to the supervision of the Card My Yard business operated by you and your Affiliates and, without our written consent, shall not engage in any other business.
Source: Item 23 — RECEIPTS (FDD pages 84–259)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Card My Yard's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, the Principal Owner is generally required to devote their full time and best efforts to the Card My Yard business. Unless Card My Yard provides written consent, the Principal Owner is prohibited from engaging in any other business.
However, the Principal Owner can serve as the General Manager for one Card My Yard business. If the franchisee chooses to designate someone other than the Principal Owner as the General Manager, that General Manager is also required to devote their full time and best efforts to the Card My Yard business and is prohibited from engaging in any other business without written consent from Card My Yard.
These restrictions ensure that the Principal Owner and General Manager are fully dedicated to the success of the Card My Yard franchise. This is a fairly standard requirement in franchising, as the franchisor wants to ensure that the franchisee is focused on building the brand and adhering to the system. A prospective franchisee should consider this commitment carefully to ensure they are prepared to dedicate themselves fully to the Card My Yard business.