Under what condition is a transfer of the Developer's interest in the Crawlspace Medic agreement allowed?
Crawlspace_Medic Franchise · 2024 FDDAnswer from 2024 FDD Document
elopment Area, proximate thereto, or proximate to any of Developer's locations).
- 6.1.3. If Franchisor assigns its rights in this Agreement, nothing herein shall be deemed to require Franchisor to remain in the crawlspace or basement care business or to offer or sell any products or services to Developer.
- 6.2 Restrictions on Transfers by Developer. Developer's rights and duties under this Agreement are personal to Developer, and Franchisor has made this Agreement with Developer in reliance on Franchisor's perceptions of the individual and collective character, skill, aptitude, attitude, business ability, and financial capacity of Developer. Thus, no transfer, as hereafter defined, may be made without Franchisor's prior written approval. Franchisor may void any transfer made without such approval.
- 6.3 Transfers by Developer. Developer shall not directly or indirectly sell, assign, transfer, give, devise, convey or encumber this Agreement or any right granted or interest herein or hereunder (a "Transfer") or suffer or permit any such assignment, transfer, or encumbrance to occur by operation of law unless Developer first obtains the written consent of Franchisor, which Franchisor may or may not grant in Franchisor's sole discretion, and subject to the following:
- 6.3.1 The proposed transferee must be an individual of good moral character and otherwise meet Franchisor's then-applicable standards for multi-unit franchisees.
- 6.3.2 The transferee must have sufficient business experience, aptitude and financial
- resources to operate multiple Crawlspace Medic outlets and to comply with this Agreement;
- 6.3.3 The transferee has agreed to complete Franchisor's Initial Franchise Training Program to Franchisor's satisfaction;
- 6.3.4 Developer has paid all amounts owed to (i) Franchisor pursuant to this Agreement and all Franchise Agreements and other agreements between Franchisor and/or Franchisor's affiliates and Developer and (ii) third-party creditors;
- 6.3.5 The transferee has executed Franchisor's then-standard form of Multi-Unit Development Agreement, which may have terms and conditions different from this Agreement, for a term no less than the unexpired term of future development obligations due pursuant to the Mandatory Development Schedule of this Agreement;
- 6.3.6 Developer and the transferee shall have executed a general release under seal, in a form satisfactory to Franchisor, of any and all claims against Franchisor and Franchisor's officers, directors, shareholders, members and employees in their corporate and individual capacities, including, without limitation, claims arising under federal, state and local laws, rules and ordinances. Developer agrees to subordinate any claims Developer may have against the transferee to Franchisor, and indemnify Franchisor against all claims brought against Franchisor by the transferee for a period of three (3) years following the transfer;
- 6.3.7 Franchisor has granted written approval of the material terms and conditions of the Transfer, including, without limitation, that the price and terms of payment will not adversely affect the transferee's development obligations. However, Franchisor's approval of a Transfer is not in any way a representation or warranty of the transferee's success or the soundness of transferee's decision to purchase the Developer's development rights on such terms and conditions. Developer shall provide Franchisor all proposed transfer documents for Franchisor's review at least thirty (30) days prior to a closing of the proposed Transfer; and
- 6.3.8 If Developer, through Developer or any entity, finances any part of the sale price of the Transfer, Developer agrees that all obligations of the transferee under any notes, agreements or security interests to Developer or Developer's entity will be subordinate to the transferee's obligations to Franchisor.
- 6.4 Transfer Fee. As a condition to any Transfer, Developer shall pay Franchisor a transfer fee equal to $25,000 for each outlet remaining to be developed in accordance with the Mandatory Development Schedule.
- 6.5 Franchisor 's Right of First Refusal.
- 6.5.1 If Developer wishes to transfer all or part of his or her interest in this Agreement pursuant to any bona fide offer received from a third party to purchase such interest, then Developer shall promptly notify Franchisor in writing of each such offer, and
- shall provide such information and documentation relating to the offer as Franchisor may require.
- 6.5.2 Franchisor has the right, exercisable by written notice to Developer within thirty (30) days after receipt of written notification and copies of all documentation required by Franchisor describing such offer, to buy the interest in this Agreement for the price and on the terms and conditions contained in the offer.
- 6.5.3 Developer further agrees, in the event Franchisor exercises its right of first refusal, notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in the third-party offer, that (i) Franchisor may substitute cash for any other form of consideration contained in the offer; (ii) at Franchisor 's option, Franchisor may pay the entire purchase price at closing;
Source: Item 22 — CONTRACTS (FDD page 42)
What This Means (2024 FDD)
According to the 2024 Crawlspace Medic FDD, a Developer's rights and duties under the agreement are personal, and any transfer requires the franchisor's prior written approval. Crawlspace Medic emphasizes that the agreement is made in reliance on the individual and collective character, skill, aptitude, attitude, business ability, and financial capacity of the Developer. Any transfer made without this approval may be voided by Crawlspace Medic.
To gain approval for a transfer, several conditions must be met. The proposed transferee must be an individual of good moral character who meets Crawlspace Medic's standards for multi-unit franchisees. They must also possess sufficient business experience, aptitude, and financial resources to operate multiple Crawlspace Medic outlets and comply with the agreement. Additionally, the transferee must complete Crawlspace Medic's Initial Franchise Training Program to the franchisor's satisfaction.
Furthermore, the Developer must have paid all outstanding amounts owed to Crawlspace Medic, its affiliates, and third-party creditors. The transferee must execute Crawlspace Medic's then-standard form of Multi-Unit Development Agreement, with terms no less favorable than the remaining obligations under the original agreement. Both the Developer and the transferee must execute a general release of claims against Crawlspace Medic. The franchisor must also grant written approval of the material terms of the transfer, ensuring that the price and payment terms do not negatively impact the transferee's development obligations. The developer must provide all proposed transfer documents to Crawlspace Medic for review at least 30 days before the proposed transfer.
In the event of the Developer's death or permanent disability, the development rights will terminate unless prohibited by law. If the transfer is required by law, it must occur within six months to a third party approved by Crawlspace Medic and is subject to the same conditions as other transfers. Crawlspace Medic retains the right of first refusal, allowing them to purchase the developer's interest before it is offered to a third party. If Crawlspace Medic waives this right, the transfer to the third party must occur within 120 days on terms no more favorable than those initially disclosed to Crawlspace Medic.