What must the Franchisor approve regarding the transfer of a Deck Medic franchise?
Deck_Medic Franchise · 2024 FDDAnswer from 2024 FDD Document
erwise in violation of this Agreement including, but not limited to this Article 14.B. shall constitute a breach of this Agreement and shall convey to the transferee no rights or interests in this Agreement; and
- (5) In the event of a Transfer of this Agreement that is approved by Franchisor, Franchisee shall not be relieved of Franchisee's obligations under this Agreement whether said obligations accrued and/or arose prior to and/or after the date of Transfer.
14.C. CONDITIONS FOR APPROVAL OF TRANSFER
Provided Franchisee and each Owner and Spouse, respectively, are in substantial compliance with this Agreement and the Ancillary Agreements, and Franchisor does not elect to exercise Franchisor's right of first refusal as set forth in Article 14.F. below, Franchisor shall not unreasonably withhold its approval of a Transfer by Franchisee or an Owner. The proposed transferee (including such assignee's owner(s) and spouse(s) if the proposed transferee is a Corporate Entity) must be of good moral character, have sufficient business experience, aptitude and financial resources to own and operate a Deck Medic Business, and otherwise meet Franchisor's then applicable standards for franchisees as determined by Franchisor in its sole, but reasonable discretion. Furthermore, the proposed transferee and the proposed transferee's owners and spouses may not own or operate, or intend to own or operate, a Competitive Business. Franchisee agrees that Franchisor may condition approval of a Transfer upon Franchisee's satisfaction (either before, or contemporaneously with, the effective date of the Transfer) of the following:
- (1) Franchisee must provide written notice to Franchisor of the proposed Transfer of this Agreement at least 30 days prior to the Transfer, and Franchisee must have also satisfied the obligations set forth in Article 14.F. below;
- (2) All accrued monetary obligations of Franchisee and all other outstanding obligations to Franchisor and/or Franchisor's affiliates under this Agreement and the Ancillary Agreements must be satisfied in a timely manner, and Franchisee must satisfy all trade, supplier, and vendor accounts and other debts, of whatever nature or kind, in a timely manner;
- (3) Franchisee, each Owner, and each Spouse must not be in default or material breach of this Agreement or the Ancillary Agreements;
- (4) The transferee shall be bound by all terms and conditions of this Agreement, and each owner of the transferee and their respective spouses shall personally execute the Franchise Owner and Spouse Agreement and Guaranty in the form attached to this Agreement as Exhibit 1;
- (5) All obligations of Franchisee under this Agreement and the Ancillary Agreements shall be assumed by the transferee, and each individual owner of transferee, and their respective spouses in a manner satisfactory to Franchisor;
- (6) Franchisee, each Owner, and each Spouse must execute the General Release attached to this Agreement as Exhibit 5 releasing Franchisor, Franchisor's affiliates and Franchisor's past and present officers, directors, shareholders, members, partners, agents, representatives, independent contractors, servants and employees, of any and all claims against Franchisor for matters arising
on, or before, the effective date of the Transfer;
Source: Item 23 — RECEIPTS (FDD pages 43–228)
What This Means (2024 FDD)
According to Deck Medic's 2024 Franchise Disclosure Document, the franchisor's approval is required for several aspects of a franchise transfer. Deck Medic will assess the proposed transferee to ensure they are of good moral character, possess sufficient business experience, aptitude, and financial resources to successfully operate the Deck Medic business. The transferee must also meet Deck Medic's standards for franchisees and not own or operate a competitive business.
Specifically, if the transfer includes the franchise agreement, substantially all assets of the franchised business, or a controlling interest in the franchisee, Deck Medic can require the transferee to execute the then-current standard franchise agreement for new franchisees. This new agreement would supersede the original and may have differing terms, although it must maintain the same royalty fee, advertising contributions, and other financial obligations. The transferee is also responsible for upgrading the administrative office to meet Deck Medic's current standards.
Additionally, the transfer is contingent on the franchisee being in substantial compliance with the existing agreement. Deck Medic retains the right of first refusal for any transfer. The transferee, along with their managing owner, managers, and other relevant employees, must complete any required training programs. The franchisee remains liable for all obligations to Deck Medic, even after the transfer. The transferee must also pay a $10,000 transfer fee to Deck Medic.