For Checkers, does the non-compete agreement bind individuals or entities with a legal or beneficial interest traceable through the franchisee, including family members?
Checkers Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
I acknowledge and understand that the provisions of this Agreement, including my representations, covenants, and warranties (as applicable) given hereunder, are necessary and integral to this Agreement and to Franchisor's and Franchisee's interests under the Franchise Agreement, and are intended to:
- (i) preclude not only direct competition, but also all forms of indirect competition, such as consultation for Competitive Businesses, service as an independent contractor for Competitive Businesses, or any assistance or transmission of information of any kind which would be of any material assistance to a competitor;
- (ii) bind any person or entity having any legal or beneficial interest in me, or traceable to, down or through me, including (without limitation) any of member of my Immediate Family, any direct or indirect beneficiary, any partner (general or limited) or proprietor of mine, and any other such related person or entity, regardless of how many levels or tiers there may be between any such described person or entity and me; and
- (iii) identify for me, toward the goal of preserving through this Agreement, Franchisor's protectable legal interests in the System, customers of Restaurants, the Confidential Information, and the goodwill associated with the Marks.
I also expressly acknowledge my possession of skills and abilities of a general nature, and the opportunity for exploiting such skills in other ways than the operation or involvement in the activities of a Restaurant or a Competitive
Business, so that enforcement of my covenants made in this Agreement will not deprive me of my personal goodwill or ability to earn a living after the effective date of expiration or termination of my relationship with Franchisee, the Franchised Restaurant, or Restaurants generally. If I fail or refuse to abide by any of my foregoing obligations or promises made under this Agreement, and Franchisor or Franchisee obtains enforcement in a judicial or arbitration proceeding, then my obligations and responsibilities specified under the breached covenant will be tolled during the period(s) of time that the covenant is breached and/or Franchisor or Franchisee seeks to enforce it, and will continue for two (2) years starting from the effective date of the order enforcing the covenant.
Source: Item 22 — CONTRACTS (FDD pages 91–92)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Checkers' 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, the non-compete agreement extends beyond the individual franchisee. It is designed to preclude not only direct competition but also all forms of indirect competition, such as consulting for competing businesses or providing any assistance or information to them.
Specifically, the agreement binds any person or entity with a legal or beneficial interest in the franchisee, or whose interest is traceable to the franchisee. This includes, without limitation, immediate family members, direct or indirect beneficiaries, partners (general or limited), and proprietors. The restriction applies regardless of the number of levels or tiers between the related person or entity and the franchisee.
This provision aims to protect Checkers' interests in its system, customer base, confidential information, and the goodwill associated with its trademarks. The FDD also states that the individual acknowledges possessing general skills and the opportunity to use them in ways other than operating or being involved in a restaurant or competitive business, ensuring that the non-compete will not deprive them of their personal goodwill or ability to earn a living after their relationship with the franchisee or Checkers ends. If the individual violates the non-compete agreement, the obligations will be tolled during the period of the breach and will continue for two years from the date of the enforcement order.