factual

Can Cream terminate the Development Rights if a Cream developer attempts an unauthorized transfer?

Cream Franchise · 2025 FDD

Answer from 2025 FDD Document

We may terminate this Agreement, effective upon delivery of written notice to you, if:

  • (5) you or any of your owners make or attempt to make an unauthorized transfer under Section 4;

B. BY YOU.

The rights and duties this Agreement creates are personal to you (and if you are conducting business as an Entity, each of your owners) and we have granted you the Development Rights in reliance upon our perceptions of your (or your owners') individual or collective character, skill, aptitude, attitude, business ability, and financial capacity. Accordingly, none of the following may be transferred, mortgaged, pledged, or encumbered, without our prior written approval: (1) this Agreement (or any interest in this Agreement), (2) your Development Rights, or (3) any direct or indirect ownership interest in you. A transfer of your Development Rights may be made only with a transfer of this Agreement. Any transfer without our approval is a breach of this Agreement and has no effect. In this Agreement, the term "transfer" includes a voluntary, involuntary, direct, or indirect assignment, sale, gift, or other disposition, including transfer by reason of merger, consolidation, issuance of additional securities, death, disability, divorce, insolvency, encumbrance, foreclosure, surrender or by operation of law, and/or any transfer of control or management of the Development Rights.

C. CONDITIONS FOR APPROVAL OF TRANSFER.

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

  • (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;

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

What This Means (2025 FDD)

According to Cream's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, Cream can terminate the Development Agreement if a developer attempts an unauthorized transfer. Cream will provide written notice to the developer, at which point termination is effective.

An unauthorized transfer includes any transfer, mortgage, pledge, or encumbrance of the Development Agreement, Development Rights, or any direct or indirect ownership interest in the developer without Cream's prior written approval. This encompasses voluntary, involuntary, direct, or indirect assignments, sales, gifts, or other dispositions, including transfers due to merger, consolidation, issuance of additional securities, death, disability, divorce, insolvency, encumbrance, foreclosure, surrender, or by operation of law, and/or any transfer of control or management of the Development Rights.

Cream's Development Agreement outlines specific conditions under which a transfer may be approved. These conditions include satisfying all requirements for the transfer of associated Franchise Agreements, the transferee signing Cream's current form of area development agreement, payment of a $25,000 transfer fee (with exceptions for transfers to a deceased owner's surviving spouse), and the transferee signing a guaranty undertaking to be bound by the Development Agreement. Failing to meet these conditions and attempting a transfer nonetheless would be grounds for termination.

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.