What does the Guarantee ensure regarding the Chicken Guy franchisee's obligations?
Chicken_Guy Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
ficate or other evidence of interest in Franchisee shall have conspicuously endorsed upon its face the following statement: "Any assignment or transfer of an interest in this limited liability company is subject to the restrictions imposed on assignment by the Chicken Guy! Restaurant Franchise Agreement(s) to which the limited liability company is a party." If Franchisee is a partnership, its written partnership agreement shall provide that ownership of an interest in the partnership is held subject to, and that further assignment or transfer is subject to, all restrictions imposed on assignment by this Agreement.
- E. Continuity Group. If Franchisee is a corporation, a limited liability company or a partnership, the attached Data Sheet lists those persons whom Chicken Guy and Franchisee have designated as Franchisee's "Continuity Group." In the event of any change in the Continuity Group or in the ownership interests of any member of the Continuity Group, Franchisee shall execute addenda to the attached Data Sheet to reflect the change. If Franchisee is a corporation, the Continuity Group shall at all times own at least 51% of the voting securities of Franchisee; if Franchisee is a limited liability company, the Continuity Group shall at all times own at least 51% of the membership interests in Franchisee; and if Franchisee is a partnership, the Continuity Group shall at all times have at least a 51% interest in the operating profits and losses and at least a 51% ownership interest in Franchisee.
F. Guarantees.
(1) All members of the Continuity Group and each of their spouses, if applicable, shall jointly and severally guarantee Franchisee's payment and performance under this Agreement and shall bind themselves to the terms of this Agreement pursuant to the attached Guarantee and Assumption of Franchisee's Obligations ("Guarantee"). Unless Franchisee is a publicly-held entity, all of Franchisee's
officers, directors and all holders of a legal or beneficial interest in Franchisee of 10% or more ("10% Owners") and each of their spouses, if applicable, also shall jointly and severally guarantee Franchisee's payment and performance under this Agreement and also shall bind themselves to the terms of this Agreement pursuant to the attached Guarantee. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Chicken Guy reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to waive the requirement that some or all of the previously described individuals execute the attached Guarantee. Chicken Guy reserves the right to require any guarantor to provide personal financial statements to Chicken Guy from time to time.
- (2) With respect to 10% Owners, Franchisee acknowledges that, unless otherwise agreed to in writing by Chicken Guy, it is Chicken Guy's intent to have individuals (and not corporations, limited liability companies or other entities) execute the Guarantee. Accordingly, if any 10% Owner is not an individual, Chicken Guy shall have the right to have the Guarantee executed by individuals who have only an indirect ownership interest in Franchisee. (By way of example, if a 10% Owner of Franchisee is a corporation, Chicken Guy has the right to require that the Guarantee be executed by individuals who have an ownership interest in that corporation.)
- (3) If Franchisee, any guarantor or any parent, subsidiary or affiliate of Franchisee holds any interest in other restaurants that are franchised by Chicken Guy or its affiliates, the party who owns that interest shall execute, concurrently with this Agreement, a form of cross-guarantee to Chicken Guy and its affiliates for the payment of all obligations for such restaurants, unless waived in writing by Chicken Guy in its sole discretion. For purposes of this Agreement, an affiliate of Franchisee is any company controlled, directly or indirectly, by Franchisee or Franchisee's parent or subsidiary.
G. Operating Principal.
- (1) If Franchisee is owned by more than one individual, Franchisee shall designate and retain an individual to serve as the Operating Principal. The Operating Principal as of the date of this Agreement is identified in the attached Data Sheet. Unless waived in writing by Chicken Guy, the Operating Principal shall meet all of the following qualifications:
- (a) The Operating Principal, at all times, shall have at least a 10% equity ownership interest in Franchisee. This Section 17.G.(1)(a) shall not apply if Franchisee was a publiclyheld entity or a wholly-owned subsidiary of a publicly-held entity as of the date of the first franchise-related agreement between Franchisee and Chicken Guy.
Source: Item 22 — CONTRACTS (FDD page 50)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to the 2025 Chicken Guy Franchise Disclosure Document, the Guarantee ensures that specific individuals, such as members of the Continuity Group and their spouses, are jointly and severally liable for the franchisee's payment and performance under the Franchise Agreement. This means each guarantor is individually responsible for the entire obligation, not just a portion. These individuals also bind themselves to the terms of the Franchise Agreement through the Guarantee. Chicken Guy retains the right to waive the requirement for some or all individuals to execute the Guarantee at its discretion. Chicken Guy can also request personal financial statements from any guarantor periodically.
For 10% Owners who are not individuals (e.g., corporations), Chicken Guy intends to have the Guarantee executed by individuals with an indirect ownership interest in the franchisee, unless otherwise agreed in writing. If the franchisee, any guarantor, or any affiliate holds interests in other Chicken Guy restaurants, they must execute a cross-guarantee to cover all obligations for those restaurants, unless Chicken Guy waives this requirement.
The Guarantee remains effective during the term of the Franchise Agreement and continues as long as there are outstanding financial or performance obligations from the franchisee to Chicken Guy or its affiliates. Any amendments to the Franchise Agreement, extensions of time, or other concessions granted by Chicken Guy do not diminish the guarantor's liability. Monies received by Chicken Guy can be applied in any manner it deems appropriate. If Chicken Guy pursues legal action to enforce the Guarantee, the prevailing party is entitled to reimbursement of costs and expenses, including attorney's fees. The guarantor must also reimburse Chicken Guy for any costs and expenses incurred if legal counsel is utilized due to the guarantor's failure to comply with the Guarantee.