Are the obligations of the Owners and Franchisee under the Degree Wellness franchise agreement joint, several, or both?
Degree_Wellness Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
- 17.15 Joint and Several Liability. If two (2) or more persons are the Franchise Owner under this Agreement, their obligation and liability to us shall be joint and several.
Source: Item 23 — Receipts (FDD pages 66–257)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to the 2025 Degree Wellness Franchise Disclosure Document, if two or more people are franchise owners, their obligations to Degree Wellness are joint and several.
In practical terms, this means that Degree Wellness can pursue any one of the franchise owners for the full amount of any debt or obligation, regardless of the internal agreements between the owners. Each owner is fully responsible, but Degree Wellness is not required to split the responsibility between them.
For a prospective franchisee, this clause highlights the importance of choosing business partners carefully. If one partner fails to meet their obligations, the other partners could be held liable for the entirety of the debt or non-compliance. This is a standard clause in many franchise agreements to protect the franchisor.