factual

Will a Casiola franchisee receive an exclusive territory?

Casiola Franchise · 2024 FDD

Answer from 2024 FDD Document

uire additional franchises.

Territory Rights

You will not receive an exclusive territory. You may face competition from other franchisees, from outlets that we own, or from other channels of distribution or competitive brands that we control. However, during the term of the Franchise Agreement, provided that you are not in default of your obligations to us or our affiliates and except as to our Reserved Rights set forth below, we will not open and operate and we will not grant another franchisee the right to open and operate a Casiola Business within your Operating Market.

We and our affiliates reserve to ourselves the exclusive right on any and all terms and conditions that we deem advisable and, without any compensation or consideration to you (Franchise Agreement, Article 2.D.), to engage in the following activities (our "Reserved Rights"): (a) operate and grant to others the right to develop and operate Casiola Businesses using the System and Licensed Marks outside your Operating Market, as we deem appropriate and irrespective of the proximity to your Operating Market; (b) acquire, develop, merge with or otherwise affiliate with one or more businesses of any kind, including businesses that offer and sell products and services that are the same as, or similar to, your Casiola Business, and after such acquisition, merger or affiliation, to own and operate and to franchise or license others to own and operate and to continue to own and operate such businesses of any kind, even if such businesses offer and sell products and services that are the same as or similar to a the Franchised Business (but not utilizing the Licensed Marks) within your Operating Market; (c) be acquired by, develop, or merge with or otherwise affiliate with one or more businesses of any kind, including businesses that offer and sell products and services that are the same as or similar to the Franchised Business, even if such business or businesses presently or, in the future, own and operate and franchise or license others to own and operate businesses that offer and sell products and services that are the same as or similar to your Casiola Business (but not utilizing the Licensed Marks) within your Operating Market; (d) use the Licensed Marks and System to distribute the Approved Services and Products offered and sold by the Franchised Business or products and services similar to the Approved Services and Products offered and sold by the Franchised Business to and/or on behalf of corporate account customers that include regional and/or national property owners and end-user customers affiliated with regional and/or national businesses, organizations, travel agencies, membership programs, and/or organizations that provide accommodations, benefits, and/or services relate to travel, accommodation, and/or property rental (collectively referred to as "Corporate Accounts"); and I use the Licensed Marks and System and to license others to use the Licensed Marks and System, to engage in all other activities not expressly prohibited by the Franchise Agreement.

Corporate Accounts Program

If we establish a Corporate Accounts Program where we engage in a contract or service agreement with a Corporate Account, we will offer you the opportunity to participate in the program under the guidelines and rules that we develop from time to time and subject to the pricing criteria and requirements that we establish. You will have an option to refuse to participate in Corporate Accounts Programs, but if you do, you agree that we can service the Corporate Accounts in your territory or authorize others, including other franchisees, to perform work for the Corporate Accounts. All pricing and fees charged in connection with Corporate Accounts will be at rates negotiated and determined by us. We or our designee are not obligated to pay you for servicing Corporate Account customers that you have elected not to service under our Corporate Accounts Program.

Soliciting by You Outside Your Territory and Territory Rules

You must operate your Casiola Business and provide the Approved Services and Products exclusively within your Operating Market. The marketing of your Casiola Business must be targeted to your Operating Market and you are not permitted to directly solicit customers outside of your Operating Market. Provided that you do not engage in any Direct Solicitation of customers outside of your Operating Market or within the Operating Market of another Casiola Business, you may provide, subject to our written approval, Approved Services and Products within an Open Area, subject to the following definitions, rules, and limited circumstances:

(a) You cannot engage in any Direct Solicitations outside of your Operating Market. The term "Direct Solicitation" refers to and means "communications and/or contacts occurring through in person contact, telephone, mail, e-mail, direct mail, distributed print media, digital media and/or other forms of marketing directed toward customers, potential customers or referral sources of a Casiola Business";

  • (b) You cannot provide Approved Services and Products in the Operating Market of another Casiola Business (an "Assigned Area");
  • (c) An "Open Area" is a geographic area that (i) is not an Assigned Area; and (ii) is located within a 10 mile radius of your Operating Market;
  • (d) Unless otherwise directed by us at any time, from time to time, and in our sole direction, you may provide Approved Services and Products to a customer (an "Out of Territory Customer") in an Open Area; and
  • (e) Once an Open Area becomes an Assigned Area you will no longer be authorized or eligible to provide Approved Services and Products to any customers within the Open Area and you must turn over to us, for the benefit of another Casiola Business franchisee, all information and records related to customers in the Open Area.

Restrictions on Us from Soliciting or Accepting Orders in Your Territory

Except as otherwise noted above, there are no restrictions on us from soliciting or accepting orders from customers inside your territory.

Source: Item 12 — TERRITORY (FDD pages 30–32)

What This Means (2024 FDD)

According to Casiola's 2024 Franchise Disclosure Document, franchisees do not receive an exclusive territory. While Casiola grants the right to operate within a designated "Operating Market," franchisees may face competition from other franchisees, company-owned outlets, or other distribution channels.

The Operating Market's scope varies based on local factors, market conditions, and the number of territories purchased. Generally, a territory consists of a resort, vacation area, market, or geographic area with up to approximately 5,000 potential rentable individual unit short-term rental properties within a 40-minute drive of the franchisee's administrative office. Additional territories can be added with Casiola's approval and payment of additional fees, each including up to approximately 5,000 potential rentable properties.

Casiola retains significant rights, including the right to operate or franchise businesses outside the franchisee's Operating Market, acquire or affiliate with other businesses (even those offering similar services), and use the Licensed Marks for corporate accounts. Casiola also does not restrict itself from soliciting or accepting orders from customers inside a franchisee's territory and will not compensate the franchisee for those orders.

Franchisees must operate and market their Casiola business exclusively within their Operating Market and cannot directly solicit customers outside of it. However, with written approval, franchisees may provide services in an "Open Area" within a 10-mile radius of their Operating Market, provided it is not an area assigned to another franchisee. Casiola can also direct franchisees to stop providing services in an Open Area if it becomes assigned to another franchisee.

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.