If a franchisee breaches the agreement, is Christian Brothers Automotive entitled to recover its costs?
Christian_Brothers_Automotive Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
Brothers Automotive Corporation
to ascertain and/or calculate accurately, and the proof of which would be burdensome and
costly, although such damages are real and meaningful to Franchisor and the System.
Accordingly, in the event that Franchisee breaches its obligations under Section 7 of this
Agreement or any covenant in Section 16 of this Agreement, Franchisee agrees to pay to
Franchisor a lump sum, which represents a fair and reasonable estimate of Franchisor's
foreseeable losses as a result of such a breach, and which is not in any way intended to be
a penalty, in an amount equal to the monthly average of the royalty fees paid (or payable)
(in accordance with Section 4.05 of this Agreement) over the past twelve (12) months times
forty-eight (48) months or the number of full calendar months remaining in the term of this
Agreement at the time of breach, whichever is less. If Franchisee has not operated the
Franchised Business for at least twelve (12) months at the time of termination, then the
average of the royalty fee payments will be calculated during the period that Franchisee
operated the Franchised Business. Franchisee's payment to Franchisor under this Section
will be in lieu of any direct monetary damages for a breach of Section 7 or any covenant
in Section 16 that Franchisor may incur as a result of Franchisor's loss of royalty fee
payments that would have been owed to Franchisor after the date of breach; however, such
payment shall be in addition to all damages and other amounts arising under this
Agreement, including, without limitation, damages arising from breach of the Franchisee's
obligations under other Sections of this Agreement, Franchisor's right to injunctive relief,
and any attorneys' fees and other costs and expenses to which Franchisor is entitled under
this Agreement. The foregoing shall be in addition to all other remedies available to
Franchisor under this Agreement and at law.
Franchise Agreement (Ver 04-14-2025)
Franchisee: ___________
Franchisor: Christian Brothers Automotive Corporation
- COVENANTS NOT TO COMPETE.
16.01 Best Efforts. During the term of this Agreement, Franchisee covenants and agrees to
expend its best efforts in the operation of the Franchised Business, and shall not engage in
any directly or indirectly conflicting or competing enterprises or any other activities which
would be detrimental to or interfere with the operation, reputation or goodwill of the
Franchised Business, the Franchisor, the System or any other of Franchisor's franchisees.
16.02 Exclusive Relationship; During the Agreement Term. Franchisee specifically
acknowledges that, pursuant to this Agreement, Franchisee will receive valuable,
specialized training and Confidential Information, including information regarding the
operational, sales, promotional, and marketing methods and techniques of Franchisor and
the System.
Source: Item 23 — RECEIPTS (FDD pages 76–372)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to the 2025 Christian Brothers Automotive Franchise Disclosure Document, if a franchisee breaches obligations under Section 7 or any covenant in Section 16 of the agreement, the franchisee must pay Christian Brothers Automotive a lump sum. This sum is calculated as the monthly average of royalty fees paid (or payable) over the past 12 months, multiplied by 48 months or the number of full calendar months remaining in the agreement term, whichever is less. If the franchisee has operated for less than 12 months, the average royalty fee is calculated based on the period of operation.
This payment is intended to cover Christian Brothers Automotive's loss of royalty fee payments due to the breach but does not cover damages arising from breaches of other sections of the agreement, injunctive relief, or attorney's fees and other expenses. Christian Brothers Automotive retains the right to pursue other available remedies under the agreement and at law. Additionally, if an inspection or audit determines that a Christian Brothers Automotive franchisee has not paid all required amounts, the franchisee is responsible for all costs associated with the inspection or audit, the owed amounts, interest at 18% per annum, and any penalties.
In cases where a franchisee breaches the covenants not to compete in Section 16, the duration of the non-compete period is extended by the length of time the franchisee is in breach. Christian Brothers Automotive is also entitled to an injunction from a court to prevent further breaches of this covenant. This right to an injunction is in addition to any other remedies available to Christian Brothers Automotive. These measures collectively ensure that Christian Brothers Automotive can recover costs and protect its interests in the event of a franchisee's breach of the franchise agreement.