Is participation in the NORA programs mandatory for Cool Binz franchisees?

According to Cool Binz's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, participation in the NORA (National and Regional Account) programs is optional for franchisees. Item 16 explicitly states, "As stated above, participation in the NORA programs is optional." This means a franchisee can choose whether or not to engage in providing services to NORA customers within their territory.

However, while participation is optional, if a Cool Binz franchisee chooses to participate in the NORA program, they must adhere to specific requirements. These include responding to customer inquiries within 60 minutes, following customer requirements for NORA projects, and complying with the System's methods and procedures as outlined in the Operations Manual. The franchisee also agrees to allow Cool Binz to select another affiliate to perform the work if they choose not to service one or more of the NORAs in their territory.

If a Cool Binz franchisee does not comply with the requirements of a NORA national contract, or if a NORA customer requests that the franchisee not perform a job, Cool Binz reserves the right to refer the business to another affiliate. In such cases, the original franchisee may be held liable for any non-compliant work performed on the NORA project. This highlights the importance of understanding and adhering to the NORA program's requirements if a franchisee chooses to participate.

Even though participation in the NORA program is optional, Cool Binz retains the exclusive right to negotiate and enter into agreements with NORA customers. If a franchisee is qualified and compliant with the Franchise Agreement, Cool Binz may offer them the opportunity to perform services under the NORA contract. The franchisee is expected to provide services to all NORA customer referrals within their territory, adhering strictly to Cool Binz's performance and process standards, as well as the NORA's service guidelines and performance standards.