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What are the requirements of Section 16 that a Carls franchisee and all persons with ownership interest must comply with in connection with a transfer of ownership?

Carls Franchise · 2024 FDD

Answer from 2024 FDD Document

  • (4) In connection with the Transfer, Franchisee and all persons who will have an ownership interest in Franchisee after the Transfer fully comply with the requirements of Section 16.

16. ORGANIZATION OF FRANCHISEE

A. Representations

If Franchisee is a corporation, a limited liability company, a partnership or any other type of organization (collectively, "business entity"), Franchisee makes the following representations and warranties: (1) it is duly organized and validly existing under the laws of the state of its formation; (2) it is qualified to do business in the state or states in which the Franchised Restaurant is located; (3) execution of this Agreement and the development and operation of the Franchised Restaurant is permitted by its governing documents; and (4) unless waived in writing by CJR, Franchisee's governing documents shall at all times provide that the activities of Franchisee are limited exclusively to the development and operation of Carl's Jr. Restaurants and other restaurants that are franchised by CJR or its affiliates and that no Transfer (as defined in Section 18) of an ownership interest may be made except in accordance with Section 18.

If Franchisee is an individual, or a partnership comprised solely of individuals, Franchisee makes the following additional representations and warranties: (A) each individual has executed this Agreement; (B) each individual shall be jointly and severally bound by, and personally liable for the timely and complete performance and a breach of, each and every provision of this Agreement; and (C) notwithstanding any transfer for convenience of ownership, pursuant to Section 18.D., each individual shall continue to be jointly and severally bound by, and personally liable for the timely and complete performance and a breach of, each and every provision of this Agreement.

B. Governing Documents

If Franchisee is a business entity, Franchisee shall furnish CJR with copies of Franchisee's governing documents and any other corporate documents, books or records that CJR may request. When any of these governing documents are modified or changed, Franchisee promptly shall provide copies to CJR.

C. Ownership Interests

If Franchisee is a business entity, Franchisee must furnish CJR with a list of all holders of a direct or indirect ownership interest in Franchisee and their respective percentage interests. As of the date of this Agreement, all interests in Franchisee are owned as set forth in attached Appendix D. Franchisee shall comply with Section 18 prior to any change in ownership interests and shall update Appendix D as changes occur in order to ensure the information contained in Appendix D is true, accurate and complete at all times.

If Franchisee is a corporation, Franchisee shall maintain stop-transfer instructions against the transfer on its records of any voting securities, and each stock certificate of the corporation shall have conspicuously endorsed upon its face the following statement: "Any assignment or transfer of this stock is subject to the restrictions imposed on assignment by the Carl's Jr. Restaurant Franchise Agreement(s) to which the corporation is a party."

Source: Item 22 — CONTRACTS (FDD page 80)

What This Means (2024 FDD)

According to the 2024 FDD, a Carls franchisee and all persons with ownership interest in the franchise must fully comply with the requirements of Section 16 in connection with a transfer of ownership. Section 16 outlines the organization of the franchisee, including representations, governing documents, ownership interests, restrictive legends, the continuity group, and guarantees.

If the franchisee is a business entity, it must be duly organized, validly existing under the laws of its formation, and qualified to do business in the state where the franchised restaurant is located. The franchisee's governing documents must permit the execution of the franchise agreement and the operation of the restaurant. Unless waived by Carls, the franchisee's governing documents must limit its activities to operating Carls restaurants and other restaurants franchised by Carls or its affiliates, and restrict transfers of ownership interests except as allowed by Section 18.

If the franchisee is an individual or a partnership of individuals, each individual must execute the agreement and be jointly and severally liable for its performance. Franchisees must furnish Carls with copies of their governing documents and any other requested corporate documents, books, or records, and promptly provide updates when these documents are modified. Franchisees must also furnish Carls with a list of all holders of direct or indirect ownership interest in the Franchisee and their respective percentage interests. If the franchisee is a corporation, it must maintain stop-transfer instructions against the transfer on its records of any voting securities, and each stock certificate of the corporation shall have conspicuously endorsed upon its face a specific statement regarding restrictions on assignment.

Disclaimer: This information is extracted from the 2024 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.