What is the Christies International Real Estate franchisee acknowledging about representations made by the franchisor?
Christies_International_Real_Estate Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
1.2.3 Except for the limitations described in this Section, you acknowledge and agree that you do not have any right to exclude, control or impose conditions on our development of future licensed, franchised, company or affiliate-owned CHRISTIE'S INTERNATIONAL REAL ESTATE businesses, or other company owned businesses at any time or at any location.
**1.3.
Rights Reserved to Us.** We reserve (for ourselves and our affiliates) reserve all rights to engage in all activities associated with CHRISTIES INTERNATIONAL REAL ESTATE Marks, and all rights to engage in any business, licensing, franchising, or other activities associated with other brands, marks, and real estate brokerage systems, anywhere in the world, not specifically granted to you under this Agreement or expressly prohibited under this Agreement, or expressly prohibited from us engaging in under this Agreement.
Without limiting the preceding sentence, we (for ourselves and our affiliates) specifically
reserve the right, from any location at any time, without any compensation to you or any other Affiliate and regardless of whether it competes with the Business, the following rights:
(a) To own and operate, and grant licenses or franchises to others to own and operate, CHRISTIE'S INTERNATIONAL REAL ESTATE offices outside of the Protected Territory;
(b) To own and operate, and grant licenses or franchises to others to own and operate, any business of any kind (other than an office located within your Protected Territory selling the same services as a CHRISTIE'S INTERNATIONAL REAL ESTATE businesses) under the Marks at any locations within or outside of your Protected Territory, including by electronic means such as the Internet, applications, by websites we may establish, catalog sales, telemarketing, or other direct marketing sales;
Source: Item 23 — RECEIPT (FDD pages 54–177)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to the 2025 Christie's International Real Estate FDD, as a franchisee, you acknowledge that you do not have the right to control or impose conditions on Christie's International Real Estate's development of future licensed, franchised, company, or affiliate-owned businesses. This applies at any time or location. This means that Christie's International Real Estate retains significant control over its expansion and business strategies, even if they might impact your franchise.
Christie's International Real Estate reserves all rights to activities associated with their marks and other business activities not specifically granted to you in the agreement. This includes the right to engage in any business, licensing, or franchising activities associated with other brands and real estate brokerage systems worldwide. They can operate or franchise Christie's International Real Estate offices outside your protected territory and operate any business under the marks, including through electronic means, within or outside your protected territory.
In practical terms, Christie's International Real Estate retains broad rights to operate and expand its business as it sees fit, with limited restrictions. As a franchisee, you must understand that your rights are specifically defined in the agreement, and Christie's International Real Estate can pursue other business opportunities, even if they compete with your franchise, without providing compensation. This underscores the importance of carefully reviewing the franchise agreement and understanding the scope of the rights and limitations it contains.