What is the Caring Senior Service franchisee's obligation regarding the sale of non-approved services?
Caring_Senior_Service Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
- (d) offer for sale all the Approved Services and only the Approved Services, as same exist from time to time.
As used in this Agreement, "Approved Services" include non-medical assistance to the elderly and to disabled or infirm adults at their homes or places of residence, and other related products and services.
All Approved Services must be offered for sale on a continuous basis at the Business at the time and in the manner required by us.
No sale of any product or service except Approved Services may be solicited, accepted or made at or from the Business.
If requested by us on at least thirty (30) days' notice as part of a general program or standardization effort by us, the marketing of an Approved Service must be discontinued.
In such an event, such service ceases to be an Approved Service;
- (i) We may, from time to time, conduct market research and testing to determine consumer trends and salability of new products and services.
You must cooperate by participating in our market research programs, test marketing new products and services and providing timely reports and other relevant information regarding marketing research.
- (ii) You shall not: (a) sell any unapproved product or service; (b) sell any product or service at or from any place except the Business; or (c) sell, prepare, or deliver any product or service at any place other than the Business or your clients' homes or places of residence;
Source: Item 23 — RECEIPTS (FDD pages 53–204)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Caring Senior Service's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, franchisees are explicitly restricted to offering and selling only 'Approved Services.' These 'Approved Services' are defined as non-medical assistance to the elderly and to disabled or infirm adults at their homes or places of residence, along with other related products and services. Franchisees must offer these approved services continuously at their business, adhering to the standards set by Caring Senior Service.
The agreement strictly prohibits franchisees from soliciting, accepting, or making sales of any product or service that is not an 'Approved Service' at or from their Caring Senior Service business. This limitation ensures brand consistency and quality control across all franchise locations. Franchisees are also barred from selling any unapproved product or service, or selling any product or service at or from any place except the Business, or selling, preparing, or delivering any product or service at any place other than the Business or their clients' homes or places of residence.
Caring Senior Service retains the right to conduct market research and testing to evaluate consumer trends and the viability of new products and services. Franchisees are obligated to cooperate with these efforts by participating in market research programs, test marketing new offerings, and providing timely reports and relevant information. This collaboration allows Caring Senior Service to adapt to market demands while maintaining a consistent brand identity. If Caring Senior Service decides to discontinue marketing an Approved Service, franchisees must comply after receiving at least thirty days' notice, at which point the service ceases to be an Approved Service.
In practical terms, a prospective Caring Senior Service franchisee must be aware that their business operations are limited to the services and products approved by the franchisor. Introducing non-approved services or products could lead to a breach of the franchise agreement. Therefore, franchisees should focus on delivering the approved services effectively and staying informed about any changes or updates to the list of approved offerings from Caring Senior Service.