factual

What happens if a Cordova franchisee breaches an Ancillary Agreement?

Cordova Franchise · 2025 FDD

Answer from 2025 FDD Document

  • (l) Franchisee, an Owner, and/or a Spouse, as applicable and whether individually or jointly, breaches or is in default of an Ancillary Agreement, and, if the applicable agreement provides for the opportunity to cure, fails to timely cure the breach or default of the Ancillary Agreement, including, without limitation, the Franchise Owner and Spouse Agreement and Guaranty;

  • (2) To hold Franchisee and Franchisee's Owners liable for, and recover from each of them, jointly and severally, all payments, fees, monetary obligations, financial obligations, interest, and charges due and owing to Franchisor from Franchisee pursuant to this Agreement, the Ancillary Agreements, and/or any other agreements between Franchisee and Franchisor, including, without limitation, Royalty Fees and Advertising Contributions with each and every payment and obligation to be accelerated and due immediately.

  • (3) To hold Franchisee and Franchisee's Owners liable for, and recover from each of them, jointly and severally, lost revenues, profits, and fees including, but not limited to Royalty Fees, Brand Development Fund Fee, Advertising Contributions, and all other fees, revenues and/or expenses that would have been paid to Franchisor, under the terms of this Agreement and throughout the Term of this Agreement, had a breach not occurred and had Franchisor not terminated this Agreement.

In calculating and determining the foregoing, Franchisee agrees that in calculating and in determining such damages that it is fair and reasonable to use Franchisee's most recent calendar year Gross Sales in calculating and determining Franchisor lost revenues and fees and by assuming that such Gross Sales would have been earned in each and every year throughout the remainder of the Term had this Agreement not been terminated.

If, however, the Franchised Business has been open and in operation for less than one calendar year, Franchisee agrees that it is fair and reasonable to use an average of Cordova Business Gross Sales across the System during the year in which this Agreement was terminated and to use such average Gross Sales for the purpose of calculating and determining Franchisor lost revenues and fees and, in doing so, by assuming that such Gross Sales would have been earned in each and every year throughout the remainder of the Term had this Agreement not been terminated.

Franchisee agrees that the foregoing is a form of liquidated damages, and that it is fair and reasonable.

Source: Item 23 — RECEIPTS (FDD pages 44–195)

What This Means (2025 FDD)

According to Cordova's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, if a franchisee, owner, or spouse breaches or defaults on an Ancillary Agreement and fails to cure the breach if a cure is possible, it constitutes a default under the Franchise Agreement. Ancillary Agreements include the Franchise Owner and Spouse Agreement and Guaranty.

Upon such a breach, Cordova has several options. It can terminate the Franchise Agreement, void the rights granted to the franchisee, and reassign those rights to another party without compensating the franchisee. Cordova can also hold the franchisee and their owners jointly and severally liable for all outstanding payments, fees, monetary obligations, interest, and charges owed to Cordova. This includes Royalty Fees and Advertising Contributions, which will be immediately accelerated and due.

Furthermore, Cordova can hold the franchisee and their owners liable for lost revenues, profits, and fees, including Royalty Fees, Brand Development Fund Fee, Advertising Contributions, and all other fees that would have been paid throughout the remaining term of the agreement had the breach not occurred. To calculate these damages, Cordova may use the franchisee's most recent calendar year Gross Sales or, if the business has been open for less than a year, the average Gross Sales of Cordova businesses across the system during the year of termination. The FDD states that the franchisee agrees that this calculation is a form of liquidated damages and is considered fair and reasonable.

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.