What constitutes an 'Open Area' for a Deck Medic franchise?
Deck_Medic Franchise · 2024 FDDAnswer from 2024 FDD Document
ticle 9.G. of this Agreement.
- "National Advertising Fund" shall have the meaning defined and set forth in Article 9.A. of this Agreement.
- "National Advertising Fund Fee" shall have the meaning defined and set forth in Article 9.A. of this Agreement.
- "Open Area" refers to a geographic territory and area that (a) is not an Assigned Area; and (b) is located within a 10 mile radius of Franchisee's Operating Territory.
Source: Item 23 — RECEIPTS (FDD pages 43–228)
What This Means (2024 FDD)
According to Deck Medic's 2024 Franchise Disclosure Document, an "Open Area" is defined as a geographic territory that meets two criteria. First, it must not be an Assigned Area, meaning it is not part of the designated operating area of any other current or future Deck Medic franchise. Second, it must be located within a 10-mile radius of the franchisee's Operating Territory.
This definition has practical implications for a Deck Medic franchisee. It means that a franchisee may have the opportunity to provide services and products to customers outside of their primary territory, potentially expanding their customer base and revenue. However, this ability is limited to areas within 10 miles of their territory and that are not already assigned to another franchisee.
It's important to note that Deck Medic retains control over these Open Areas. The franchisor can designate an Open Area as an Assigned Area at any time, which would then require the franchisee to cease serving customers in that area and turn over any related customer information. This highlights the importance of focusing on developing and maintaining a strong customer base within the franchisee's primary Operating Territory, as access to Open Areas is not guaranteed and can be revoked by Deck Medic.