What is the Deer Solution franchisee's obligation regarding non-competition during the franchise relationship with Deer Solution?
Deer_Solution Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
Franchisee agrees that during the Term of this Agreement, Franchisee shall not engage in the following activities (the "Prohibited Activities"): (a) owning and/or having any legal or equitable interest whether, as an individual proprietor, owner, partner, member or shareholder of a Corporate Entity, or, in any similar capacity, in a Competitive Business other than, owning an interest of 3% or less in a publicly traded company that is a Competitive Business; (b) operating, managing, funding and/or performing services whether, as an employee, officer, director, manager, consultant, representative, agent, and/or creditor or, in any similar capacity, for or benefitting a Competitive Business; (c) diverting or attempting to divert any business or customers from Franchisor or, one of Franchisor's affiliates or franchisees; (d) inducing any customer or client of Franchisor, Franchisor's affiliates, franchisees of the System, or, of Franchisee, to any other person or business that is not a Deer Solution Business; and/or (e) engaging in any actions, inactions, and/or activities in violation of Articles 6.B. and/or 6.C. of this Agreement (all, individually and, collectively, referred to as the "Prohibited Activities"). Franchisee agrees that if Franchisee were to engage in the Prohibited Activities that such actions would be unfair, would constitute unfair competition and, would cause harm to Franchisor, the System, and other Deer Solution Business franchisees. Franchisee agrees that the foregoing covenants and obligations shall also apply to Franchisee's Owners and Spouses and that Franchisee's Owners and Spouses shall each execute and deliver to Franchisor the Franchise Owner and Spouse Agreement and Guaranty in the form attached to this Agreement as Exhibit 1.
Source: Item 23 — RECEIPTS (FDD pages 55–246)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to the 2025 Deer Solution Franchise Disclosure Document, during the term of the Franchise Agreement, a franchisee is prohibited from engaging in activities that would be considered unfair competition. These prohibited activities include owning or having any financial interest in a competitive business, with a minor exception of owning 3% or less of a publicly traded company that is a competitive business.
Deer Solution franchisees are also restricted from operating, managing, funding, or performing services for a competitive business, whether as an employee, officer, director, manager, consultant, or in any similar capacity. They cannot divert or attempt to divert any business or customers from Deer Solution, its affiliates, or other franchisees.
Furthermore, franchisees are prohibited from inducing any customer or client of Deer Solution, its affiliates, or other franchisees to any other person or business that is not a Deer Solution Business. Any actions that violate the confidentiality agreements within the Franchise Agreement are also considered prohibited activities. These non-compete obligations also extend to the franchisee's owners and spouses, who are required to sign a Franchise Owner and Spouse Agreement and Guaranty.