Are existing Chop5 Salad Kitchen restaurants considered 'Competing Businesses'?

According to Chop5 Salad Kitchen's 2024 Franchise Disclosure Document, existing Chop5 Salad Kitchen restaurants operating under a valid franchise or license agreement are explicitly excluded from being considered 'Competing Businesses'.

The FDD defines a 'Competing Business' as any business that meets at least one of the following criteria: (a) any fast casual restaurant that derives, or is reasonably expected to derive, at least 35% of its revenue from the sale of made-to-order salads, salad bowls, grain bowls and/or soups; (b) any business that solicits, offers or sells franchises or licenses for a business that meets the criteria in clause (a) of this definition; and/or (c) any business that services, trains, supports, consults with, advises or otherwise assists any Person with respect to the development, management and/or operation of a business that meets the criteria in clause (a) of this definition.

This exclusion means that franchisees are not restricted from owning or operating another Chop5 Salad Kitchen restaurant, as it would not be considered a conflict of interest under the terms of the franchise agreement. This clause clarifies that the brand's primary concern regarding competition relates to businesses outside of the Chop5 Salad Kitchen system, ensuring franchisees focus on growing their own Chop5 Salad Kitchen business without internal competitive restrictions from other Chop5 Salad Kitchen locations.