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What rights does Cream retain regarding business activities within my Development Area?

Cream Franchise · 2025 FDD

Answer from 2025 FDD Document

ITEM 12 TERRITORY

Area Development Agreement

You will not receive an exclusive territory under the Area Development Agreement. You may face competition from other franchisees, from outlets that we own, or from other channels of distribution or competitive brands that we control. However, as long as you are in compliance with your Area Development Agreement, all Franchise Agreements signed pursuant to the Area Development Agreement, and subject to the exclusions and limitations described below, neither we nor any of our affiliates will establish or operate or authorize any other person to establish or operate a Jeni's Ice Creams Scoop Shop in your Development Area. Otherwise, you have no territorial protection and we and our affiliates retain all rights to conduct business activities of any kind, including the right to:

  • (1) establish and operate, and allow others to establish and operate, other Jeni's Ice Creams Scoop Shops using the System, at any location outside the Development Area, on such terms and conditions we deem appropriate;
  • (2) establish and operate, and allow others to establish and operate, any other type of business, including any business that may offer products and services which are identical to, similar to, or competitive with products and services offered by Jeni's Ice Creams Scoop Shops, under trade names, trademarks, service marks, and commercial symbols other than the "Jeni's®" name and marks, anywhere in the world, including in the Development Area;
  • (3) establish, and allow others to establish, businesses and distribution channels other than a Jeni's Ice Creams Scoop Shop (including, selling products at retail, wholesale, or through the internet, catalog sales, telemarketing, direct marketing, e-commerce, product lines in other businesses, or through any other digital presence), wherever located or operating, including in your Development Area, regardless of the nature or location of the customers with whom such other businesses and distribution channels do business, including businesses that operate under trade names, trademarks, service marks, or commercial symbols that are similar to, the same, or competitive with the Marks, and/or that sell products or services similar to and/or the same as those that Jeni's Ice Creams Scoop Shops sell, including the offer and sale of Jeni's® -branded ice cream or products at third-party businesses;
  • (4) establish and operate, and allow others to establish and operate, any Jeni's Ice Creams Scoop Shop, or other business using the System, and/or offering and selling any of the products or services that are similar to, the same, or competitive with those products or services offered by Jeni's Ice Creams Scoop Shops, at or through any non-traditional venues, including temporary or seasonal facilities or businesses operated within any larger venue or closed market such as an airport, hospital or medical center, casino or gaming center, convention or business center, fairground, state, local, or national park, hotel or resort, military base, transportation or transit center, university stadium or entertainment center, at any location in the world, including in the Development Area;
  • (5) conduct marketing, advertising, and/or other promotional activities, events, and campaigns, at any location in the world, including in the Development Area, including events, activities, and campaigns that involve product giveaways and/or the offer and sale of products and services similar to and/or the same as those that Jeni's Ice Creams Scoop Shops sell, and/or using the Marks;
  • (6) be acquired by or acquire (regardless of the form of transaction(s)), any other business, including businesses that operate or allow others to establish and operate businesses similar to, the same, or competitive with Jeni's Ice Creams Scoop Shops, at any location in the world, including in the Protected Territory (and in the event of such an acquisition, we and/or the acquirer and its affiliates will have the right to continue to establish and operate, and authorize others to establish and operate, such businesses, at any location in the world, including in the Development Area); and

(7) engage in all other activities not expressly prohibited by the Area Development Agreement, at any location in the world, including in the Development Area.

The size of your Development Area will depend on the number of Jeni's Ice Creams Scoop Shops you develop, the geography and demographics of the region, traffic patterns, competition, site availability, your experience, and other factors we establish. You will know the size of the Development Area before you sign the Area Development Agreement.

Source: Item 12 — TERRITORY (FDD pages 35–39)

What This Means (2025 FDD)

According to Cream's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, if you sign an Area Development Agreement, you will not receive an exclusive territory. Cream retains significant rights to conduct business activities within your Development Area. While Cream agrees not to establish or operate another Jeni's Ice Creams Scoop Shop within your development area, Cream and its affiliates retain the right to conduct other business activities.

Specifically, Cream can establish and operate other types of businesses, including those offering similar or competitive products and services to Cream shops, under different brand names within your Development Area. Cream can also establish businesses and distribution channels other than Cream Scoop Shops, such as retail, wholesale, internet sales, and product lines in other businesses, within your Development Area. These activities can operate under trademarks that are similar or competitive with Cream's marks and may sell similar products, including Cream-branded ice cream at third-party businesses.

Additionally, Cream can establish Cream Scoop Shops or other businesses using the Cream system in non-traditional venues like airports, hospitals, casinos, convention centers, fairgrounds, parks, hotels, military bases, transportation centers, and stadiums within your Development Area. Cream also retains the right to conduct marketing, advertising, and promotional activities, including product giveaways and sales of similar products, within your Development Area. Cream can also be acquired by or acquire another business that is similar to Cream, even within your protected territory.

Furthermore, Cream is not required to pay you if they exercise any of these rights. These stipulations mean that while you develop Cream shops in your area, Cream can still operate competing businesses or allow other businesses to sell Cream products, potentially impacting your franchise's profitability. A prospective franchisee should carefully consider these factors and how they might affect the potential success of their Cream franchise.

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.