What constitutes the agreement with the Lease when the Rider is executed in counterparts for a Cream franchise?

According to the 2025 FDD, when the Rider to the Lease agreement for a Cream franchise is executed in counterparts, all of the executed counterparts together form a single agreement with the Lease. This means that each individual copy of the Rider is considered an original, and when combined, they create one complete and unified agreement. This allows for flexibility in the signing process, as different parties can sign different copies of the same document without needing to be in the same location.

This approach is common in franchise agreements to streamline the execution process, especially when dealing with multiple parties or geographically dispersed locations. The FDD also clarifies that the Rider and related documents can be executed using either manual or electronic signatures, further facilitating the signing process. This is particularly relevant in today's business environment, where electronic signatures are widely accepted and can significantly speed up document execution.

For a prospective Cream franchisee, this means that the franchise agreement is legally binding even if the different parties involved (franchisee, landlord, franchisor) sign separate copies of the Rider. It's important to ensure that all counterparts are properly executed and collected to form the complete agreement. The use of electronic signatures is permitted, which can simplify and accelerate the process of finalizing the lease agreement and Rider.