factual

What sections of the Cream franchise agreement outline the conditions that must be met by the franchisee, their owners, and the transferee to complete a sale if Cream does not exercise its right of first refusal?

Cream Franchise · 2025 FDD

Answer from 2025 FDD Document

if we otherwise approve the transfer in accordance with Section 12.B and Section 12.C, and if you and your owners and the transferee comply with the conditions in Section 12.B and Section 12.C.

C. CONDITIONS FOR APPROVAL OF TRANSFER.

We will approve a transfer if all of the following requirements are met:

  • (1) you submit an application in writing requesting our consent and providing us all information or documents we request about the transferee and its owners that we request to evaluate their ability to satisfy their respective obligations under our then-current form of Franchise Agreement and any documents ancillary thereto, and each such person must have completed and satisfied all of our application and certification requirements, including the criteria that neither the transferee nor its owners (if the transferee is an Entity) or affiliates have an ownership interest in or perform services for a Competitive Business;
  • (2) you and your owners have not violated any provision of this Agreement or any other agreement with us or our affiliates during both the 60-day period before you requested our consent to the transfer and the period between your request and the effective date of the transfer;
  • (3) you provide us executed versions of any documents executed by you (or your owners) and transferee (and its owners) to effect the transfer, and all other information we request about the proposed transfer, and such transfer meets all of our requirements, including terms, closing date, purchase price, amount of debt, and payment terms, and we have determined that the purchase price and other terms of the transfer will not adversely affect the transferee's fulfillment of your Development Rights;
  • (4) you (and your owners) and the transferee (and its owners) sign all of the documents we are then requiring in connection with a transfer, in a form satisfactory to us, including: (i) a release of any and all claims (except for claims which cannot be released or

waived pursuant to applicable law) against us and our affiliates and our and their owners, officers, directors, employees, and agents, and (ii) covenants that you and your transferring owners agree to satisfy all post-termination obligations under this Agreement;

  • (5) if the transfer is of this Agreement or your Development Rights, you have satisfied all of the conditions to transfer all Franchise Agreements that you have executed in connection with this Agreement (and you understand that you may not transfer this Agreement or your Development Rights, without concurrently transferring all associated Franchise Agreements executed pursuant to the terms hereof, and the operations of any associated Jeni's Ice Creams Scoop Shops);
  • (6) the transferee must (if the transfer is of this Agreement or your Development Rights) sign our then-current form of area development agreement and related documents, any and all of the provisions of which may differ materially from any and all of those contained in this Agreement; provided, that the term of the new area development agreement signed will equal the then-remaining Term and Development Schedule;
  • (7) you pay us a transfer fee in the amount of $25,000, provided, that no transfer fee is due for the transfer from a deceased owner to such owner's surviving spouse, provided that such transfer is otherwise subject to the terms and conditions of this Section 4 (provided further, that you reimburse us for any direct costs we incur in connection with documenting and otherwise processing such transfer, including reasonable legal fees); and
  • (8) the transferee(s) must (if the transfer is any beneficial or ownership interest in you), sign our then-current form of guaranty undertaking personally to be bound, jointly and severally, by all provisions of this Agreement and any ancillary agreements between you and us, and an updated Attachment D;
  • (9) you provide us the evidence we request to show that appropriate measures have been taken to effect the transfer as it relates to the fulfillment of your Development Rights, including, transferring all necessary business licenses, and material agreements, or obtaining new business licenses and material agreements.

We may review all information regarding your Development Rights that you give the transferee, correct any information that we believe is inaccurate, and give the transferee copies of any reports that you have given us or we have made regarding your Development Rights.

Source: Item 23 — RECEIPTS (FDD pages 61–192)

What This Means (2025 FDD)

According to Cream's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, if Cream does not exercise its right of first refusal, the conditions that the franchisee, their owners, and the transferee must comply with are detailed in Section 12.B and Section 12.C of the franchise agreement.

Specifically, Section 12.C outlines the conditions for approval of the transfer. These conditions include submitting a written application with all required information about the transferee and their owners, ensuring that neither the franchisee nor their owners have violated any agreements with Cream, providing executed transfer documents, and ensuring the transfer meets all of Cream's requirements. Additionally, both the franchisee (and their owners) and the transferee (and its owners) must sign all required documents, including a release of claims and covenants to satisfy post-termination obligations.

Further conditions include satisfying all requirements to transfer franchise agreements, having the transferee sign Cream's current form of area development agreement, paying a $25,000 transfer fee (with an exception for transfers to a deceased owner's surviving spouse), having the transferees sign a guaranty undertaking, and providing evidence that appropriate measures have been taken to fulfill development rights. These measures include transferring necessary business licenses and material agreements or obtaining new ones. Cream retains the right to review and correct any information provided to the transferee regarding development rights.

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.