Who bears the expense and risk if Casiola elects to assume the defense of a claim?
Casiola Franchise · 2024 FDDAnswer from 2024 FDD Document
Franchisor shall indemnify, defend, and hold Franchisee and Franchisee's officers, directors, shareholders, members, owners, partners, agents, representatives, independent contractors, employees, assigns and successors (the "Franchisee Indemnified Parties") harmless from all losses, expenses, claims, causes of action, lawsuits, liabilities, taxes, costs, demands, proceedings, investigations, hearings, and/or damages solely arising out of, or solely relating to, Franchisor's gross negligence in the operation of Franchisee's Casiola Business that was the direct cause of any such loss, expense, liability or damage provided Franchisee immediately notifies Franchisor of such claim, cause of action, lawsuit, demand, proceeding, investigation or hearing, and Franchisor shall pay all of the Franchisee Indemnified Parties' reasonable costs, fees and expenses of defending any such claim, cause of action, lawsuit, demand, proceeding, investigation, and/or hearing brought against any of the Franchisee Indemnified Parties or any such claim, cause of action, lawsuit, demand, proceeding, investigation, and/or hearing in which any of the Franchisee
Indemnified Parties is named as a party, including, without limitation, reasonable accountant fees, attorney fees, and expert witness fees, court costs, deposition fees, travel expenses and other litigation expenses provided Franchisee immediately notifies Franchisor of such claim, cause of action, lawsuit, demand, proceeding, investigation or hearing. Franchisor agrees that the terms of this Article 10.C. shall survive the termination, expiration or Transfer of this Agreement.
Source: Item 23 — RECEIPTS (FDD pages 47–209)
What This Means (2024 FDD)
Based on the 2024 Casiola Franchise Disclosure Document, Casiola will indemnify, defend, and hold the franchisee harmless from losses, expenses, claims, lawsuits, liabilities, taxes, costs, demands, proceedings, investigations, hearings, and damages solely arising out of or relating to Casiola's gross negligence in the operation of the franchisee's Casiola Business. This protection is provided only if Casiola's gross negligence was the direct cause of the loss, expense, liability, or damage.
However, the franchisee must immediately notify Casiola of any such claim, lawsuit, demand, proceeding, or investigation. If these conditions are met, Casiola will cover the franchisee's reasonable costs, fees, and expenses for defending against the claim. These expenses include accountant fees, attorney fees, expert witness fees, court costs, deposition fees, travel expenses, and other litigation expenses.
This indemnification agreement survives the termination, expiration, or transfer of the Casiola Franchise Agreement, providing long-term protection for the franchisee under the specified conditions. This type of clause is relatively standard in franchise agreements, aiming to allocate risk based on fault and control over the business operations.