What is the relevance of the 'Manuals' to the operation of a Cordova Business?
Cordova Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
| | | Business; timely develop and open your Cordova | | | | Business; | | | | operate | | | | your | | | | Cordova | | | | Business | | | | in | | | | accordance | | | | with | | | | the | | | | specifications, standards, and requirements set forth in our | | | | Manuals; develop or operate your Cordova | | | | Business in | | h. "Cause" defined-non-curable defaults | 16.A.(1), 16.A.(2) | The following are defaults that cannot be cured: three or more instances where you commit a curable default, whether or not you timely cured such default in each instance; you intentionally and knowingly refuse to comply with the terms of the Franchise Agreement, and/or the standards specifications, and/or requirements set forth in the operations manual and/or as communicated to you by us from time to time; | i. | Franchisee's obligations on termination/non-renewal | 6, 17 | You must: pay all sums that you owe to us under the Franchise Agreement and all other agreements with us; cease owning and operating the Franchised Business; cease representing yourself as a franchisee of ours; permanently cease using and/or accessing the System, the Licensed Marks, our confidential information, the Manuals, the Business Management System, the Business Management System Data, and the System Supplies; return the Manuals and all confidential information to us in the original form provided to you and document the destruction of all electronic files related to same; completely de-identify the location and/or facility associated with the Franchised Business; as requested by us, transfer to us all data, telephone listings, digital media, accounts, web listings and websites associated with the Franchised Business; and abide by the post-termination non competition covenants and restrictions. |
Source: Item 17 — RENEWAL, TERMINATION, TRANSFER AND DISPUTE RESOLUTION (FDD pages 33–37)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Cordova's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, the manuals are critical to the operation of a Cordova business. Franchisees must operate their Cordova business in accordance with the specifications, standards, and requirements set forth in Cordova's manuals. Failure to comply with the manuals can lead to serious consequences, including termination of the franchise agreement. Specifically, intentionally refusing to comply with the terms of the Franchise Agreement, the standards specifications, and/or requirements set forth in the operations manual is a default that cannot be cured.
Upon termination or non-renewal of the franchise agreement, the franchisee must permanently cease using and/or accessing the manuals. The franchisee is also obligated to return the manuals and all confidential information to Cordova in their original form and document the destruction of all electronic files related to the same.
These stipulations highlight the importance of the manuals in maintaining consistency and quality across all Cordova franchise locations. Prospective franchisees should carefully review the manuals during their due diligence to fully understand the operational requirements and standards expected by Cordova. Understanding these requirements is essential for the successful operation of a Cordova franchise and to avoid potential defaults or termination of the franchise agreement.