Are Casiola franchisees and their owners jointly and severally liable for payments owed to Casiola after termination?
Casiola Franchise · 2024 FDDAnswer from 2024 FDD Document
- (2) To hold Franchisee and Franchisee's Owners liable for, and recover from each of them, jointly and severally, all payments, fees, monetary obligations, financial obligations, interest, and charges due and owing to Franchisor from Franchisee pursuant to this Agreement, the Ancillary Agreements, and/or any other agreements between Franchisee and Franchisor, including, without limitation, Royalty Fees and Advertising Contributions with each and every payment and obligation to be accelerated and due immediately.
- (3) To hold Franchisee and Franchisee's Owners liable for, and recover from each of them, jointly and severally, lost revenues, profits, and fees including, but not limited to Royalty Fees, Brand Development Fund Fee, Advertising Contributions, and all other fees, revenues and/or expenses that would have been paid to Franchisor, under the terms of this Agreement and throughout the Term of this Agreement, had a breach not occurred and had Franchisor not terminated this Agreement. In calculating and determining the foregoing, Franchisee agrees that in calculating and in determining such damages that it is fair and reasonable to use Franchisee's most recent calendar year Gross Sales in calculating and determining Franchisor lost revenues and fees and by assuming that such Gross Sales would have been earned in each and every year throughout the remainder of the Term had this Agreement not been terminated. If, however, the Franchised Business has been open and in operation for less than one calendar year, Franchisee agrees that it is fair and reasonable to use an average of Casiola Business Gross Sales across the System during the year in which this Agreement was terminated and to use such average Gross Sales for the purpose of calculating and determining Franchisor lost revenues and fees and, in doing so, by assuming that such Gross Sales would have been earned in each and every year throughout the remainder of the Term had this Agreement not been terminated. Franchisee agrees that the foregoing is a form of liquidated damages, and that it is fair and reasonable.
Source: Item 23 — RECEIPTS (FDD pages 47–209)
What This Means (2024 FDD)
According to Casiola's 2024 Franchise Disclosure Document, both the franchisee and their owners can be held jointly and severally liable for payments owed to Casiola after termination of the franchise agreement. This means that Casiola can pursue either the franchisee or the owners, or both, for the full amount of the debt. This liability extends to all payments, fees, monetary obligations, financial obligations, interest, and charges due to Casiola, including royalty fees and advertising contributions.
In addition to outstanding payments, Casiola can also hold the franchisee and their owners jointly and severally liable for lost revenues, profits, and fees that Casiola would have received throughout the remaining term of the agreement had the breach and termination not occurred. The FDD specifies a method for calculating these lost revenues, using the franchisee's most recent calendar year gross sales or, if the business has been open for less than a year, the average gross sales across the Casiola system.
This clause has significant implications for prospective Casiola franchisees. It means that the personal assets of the owners are at risk if the franchise fails or if there is a breach of contract. Franchisees should carefully consider this potential liability and ensure they have a clear understanding of their obligations under the franchise agreement. It is also advisable to seek legal and financial advice before signing the agreement to fully understand the risks involved.