factual

During the term of the Cinnaholic agreement, can a Bound Party have a direct or indirect interest in a Competitive Business, regardless of location?

Cinnaholic Franchise · 2025 FDD

Answer from 2025 FDD Document

[Item 22: CONTRACTS]

20. RESTRICTIVE COVENANTS

20.1. Covenants Not to Compete.

  • (i) Non-Competition during Term.

In addition to and not in limitation of any other restrictions on Franchisee contained herein, Franchisee and Franchisee's spouse, and, if Franchisee is not an individual, its shareholders, members, partners and managers, as applicable, and their spouses (each, a "Bound Party"), agree that they will not, during the term of this Agreement, directly or indirectly, for and on behalf of itself, himself, herself or any other person or entity, during the term of this Agreement (a) have any direct or indirect interest as a disclosed or beneficial owner in a Competitive Business (as defined below), regardless of location or (b) perform services as a director, officer, manager, employee, consultant, representative, agent, or otherwise for a Competitive Business, regardless of location.

  • (iii) General.

For purposes of this Agreement, the term "Competitive Business" means any business operating, or granting franchises or licenses to others to operate, a bakery or other food service business (a) engaged in the retail or wholesale production or sale of baked goods (including, but not limited to, cinnamon rolls and other baked goods) and (b) that derives more than 50% of its revenue from sales of cinnamon rolls (other than another CINNAHOLIC® Bakery operated by Franchisee under license from Franchisor).

Neither Franchisee nor the other Bound Parties will be prohibited from owning securities in a Competitive Business if they are listed on a stock exchange or traded on the over-the-counter market and represent 5% or less of the number of shares of that class of securities which are issued and outstanding.

The parties acknowledge that the covenants contained in Section 20.1 are based on the reason and understanding that Franchisee and the Bound Parties will possess knowledge of Franchisor's business and

operating methods and confidential information, disclosure and use of which would prejudice the interest of Franchisor and its Franchisees.

Franchisee further understands and acknowledges the difficulty of ascertaining monetary damages and the irreparable harm that would result from breach of these covenants.

If any part of this restriction is found to be unreasonable in time or distance, such time or distance may be reduced by appropriate order of the court to that deemed reasonable.

Franchisor shall, as a matter of course, receive injunctive relief to enforce such covenants in addition to any other relief to which it may be entitled at law or in equity.

Franchisor shall receive such injunctive relief without the necessity of posting bond or other security, such bond or other security being hereby waived.

Source: Item 22 — CONTRACTS (FDD pages 61–62)

What This Means (2025 FDD)

According to Cinnaholic's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, during the term of the agreement, a franchisee and certain related parties (referred to as "Bound Parties") are restricted from having a direct or indirect interest in a Competitive Business, regardless of its location. A "Bound Party" includes the franchisee's spouse, and if the franchisee is not an individual, its shareholders, members, partners, and managers, as well as their spouses.

A "Competitive Business" is defined as any business operating a bakery or food service that is engaged in the retail or wholesale production or sale of baked goods, including cinnamon rolls, and derives more than 50% of its revenue from cinnamon roll sales (excluding other Cinnaholic bakeries operated under a franchise agreement with Cinnaholic). However, the franchisee or Bound Parties are not prohibited from owning securities in a Competitive Business if those securities are listed on a stock exchange or traded over-the-counter and represent 5% or less of the outstanding shares of that class of securities.

This restriction is in place because Cinnaholic recognizes that franchisees and Bound Parties will gain knowledge of Cinnaholic's business operations, methods, and confidential information. Disclosing or using this information could harm Cinnaholic and its franchisees. The FDD also states that Cinnaholic can seek injunctive relief to enforce these covenants, without needing to post a bond or security.

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.