What is prohibited by the non-competition covenants during the term of the Cream Franchise Agreement?
Cream Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
We have granted you the rights in this Agreement in consideration of and reliance upon your agreement to deal exclusively with us. You therefore agree that, during the Term, you and your owners agree not to (and to use each of your best efforts to cause each of your respective current and former spouses, immediate family members, owners, officers, directors, representatives, affiliates, successors and assigns not to):
- (1) have any direct or indirect interest as an owner whether of record, beneficially, or otherwise – in a Competitive Business (defined below), wherever located or operating (except that equity ownership of less than 5% of a Competitive Business whose stock or other forms of ownership interest are publicly traded on a recognized United States stock exchange will not be deemed to violate this subparagraph);
- (2) perform services as a director, officer, manager, employee, consultant, representative, or agent for a Competitive Business, wherever located or operating; or
- (3) divert or attempt to divert any actual or potential business or customer of any Jeni's Ice Creams Scoop Shop to a Competitive Business.
The term "Competitive Business" means any business (excluding any Jeni's Ice Creams Scoop Shop operated under a franchise agreement with us) operating or granting franchises or licenses to others to operate any business for which ice cream, ice cream-based desserts or drinks, and/or other frozen desserts or drinks, or similar products represents more than 10% of the total gross revenue.
Source: Item 17 — RENEWAL, TERMINATION, TRANSFER AND DISPUTE RESOLUTION (FDD pages 44–51)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Cream's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, during the term of the Franchise Agreement, franchisees and their owners are restricted from engaging in certain competitive activities. Specifically, they cannot have any direct or indirect ownership interest in a Competitive Business, regardless of its location. However, owning less than 5% of a publicly traded Competitive Business on a recognized United States stock exchange is an exception to this rule.
Additionally, franchisees and their owners are prohibited from performing services for a Competitive Business in any capacity, including as a director, officer, manager, employee, consultant, representative, or agent, irrespective of the business's location. They are also barred from diverting or attempting to divert any actual or potential business or customers of any Jeni's Ice Creams Scoop Shop to a Competitive Business.
The term "Competitive Business" is defined as any business (excluding other Jeni's Ice Creams Scoop Shops operating under a franchise agreement with Cream) that operates or grants franchises or licenses to others for businesses where ice cream, ice cream-based desserts or drinks, and/or other frozen desserts or drinks constitute more than 10% of the total gross revenue. This means a Cream franchisee must avoid any significant association with businesses that heavily rely on ice cream or similar products for their income during the term of their agreement.
These restrictions also extend to the franchisee's current and former spouses, immediate family members, owners, officers, directors, representatives, affiliates, successors, and assigns, requiring the franchisee to use their best efforts to ensure these parties also comply with the non-competition terms. This broad reach highlights the importance Cream places on protecting its market position and preventing franchisees from directly or indirectly supporting competing businesses during the franchise term.