factual

Does the non-compete covenant in the Christies International Real Estate agreement apply to Principal Owners?

Christies_International_Real_Estate Franchise · 2025 FDD

Answer from 2025 FDD Document

  • 13.1. Non-Solicitation of Customers. You, each Principal Owner, and the Responsible Broker, will not, during the term of this Agreement, and for a period of 1 year after its expiration or termination, directly or indirectly, divert or attempt to divert any CHRISTIE'S INTERNATIONAL REAL ESTATE business, account or customer of the Business or any other CHRISTIE'S INTERNATIONAL REAL ESTATE business referred to you by us, or the System to any competing business including, but not limited to, the competing businesses set forth in Section 6.3(e). We will not during the term of this Agreement, and for a period of 1 year after its expiration or termination, divert or attempt to divert any business, account, client, or customer of yours that we gained knowledge of in connection with this Agreement.

  • 13.2. Covenant Not to Compete During Term. You and each Principal Owner will not, during the term of this Agreement, directly, or as an employee, agent, consultant, partner, officer, director or shareholder of any other person, firm, entity, partnership or corporation, own, operate, lease, franchise, conduct, engage in, be connected with, have any interest in or assist any person or entity engaged in any business that offers for sale real estate brokerage services, or any other related business that is similar to, offers the same or similar products or services to, or is otherwise competitive with, the Business, anywhere in the United States, including, but not limited to, those competing businesses set forth in Section 6.3(e), except the ownership of securities listed on a stock exchange or traded on the over-the-counter market that represent 1% or less of that class of securities. For clarification and avoidance of doubt, the above restriction regarding the operation of competing businesses applies to any separate real estate brokerage business under any brand, or Protected Territories or Broker Affiliate License Agreements or other territories, franchises, licenses or other businesses you, your affiliates or Principal Owner have with us or any of our affiliates, including following the termination or expiration of any such rights.

  • 13.2.1 Notwithstanding the foregoing, you and each Principal Owner may own other real estaterelated businesses that do not offer residential real estate brokerage services that are, or are marketed as "luxury" and that do not compete with the Business in the luxury segment of the market, and are owned and operated under a legal entity that is separate from, a different entity from, and represented to the public as a different entity from the Affiliate entity that executed this Agreement and operates the Business.

Further, you shall notify us in writing when you open any other real estate-related company or business and you covenant and agree not to divert any real estate business from the Business.

  • 13.2.2 You acknowledge and agree that any permitted business or operations under Section 13.2.1 above shall not (a) be of the type described in Section 6.3(e); (ii) in any way be affiliated or associated with those competing businesses set forth in Section 6.3(f); and (iii) use any CHRISTIE'S INTERNATIONAL REAL ESTATE branding or Marks.

Source: Item 23 — RECEIPT (FDD pages 54–177)

What This Means (2025 FDD)

According to the 2025 Christies International Real Estate Franchise Disclosure Document, the non-compete covenant applies to Principal Owners both during the term of the agreement and for one year after its expiration or termination. Specifically, Principal Owners are prohibited from engaging in any business that offers real estate brokerage services or related services that compete with Christies International Real Estate anywhere in the United States. This includes being involved as an employee, agent, consultant, partner, officer, director, or shareholder of any competing entity.

However, there are exceptions to this non-compete agreement. Principal Owners may own other real estate-related businesses that do not offer residential real estate brokerage services marketed as "luxury" and do not compete with Christies International Real Estate in the luxury segment. These businesses must operate under a separate legal entity and be represented to the public as distinct from the Christies International Real Estate affiliate.

Furthermore, Principal Owners are required to notify Christies International Real Estate in writing when they open any other real estate-related company or business and must agree not to divert any real estate business from the Christies International Real Estate business. These permitted businesses must not be of the type described in Section 6.3(e) of the agreement, be affiliated with the competing businesses in Section 6.3(f), or use any Christies International Real Estate branding or Marks.

Disclaimer: This information is extracted from the 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document and is provided for research purposes only. It does not constitute legal or financial advice. Consult with a franchise attorney before making any investment decisions.