Does the Dermani Medspa agreement stipulate that the restrictive covenants are reasonable?
Dermani_Medspa Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
9. COVENANTS AND RESTRICTIONS ON COMPETITION
- 9.1. During the Term. You acknowledge that this Agreement will give you access to valuable and Confidential Information regarding the System, including our business development strategy and the sales, promotional, managing, and marketing methods of dermani MEDSPA®. You agree that during the term of this Agreement, you will not, without our prior written consent, either directly or indirectly through any other person or entity:
- 9.1.1. develop, build, own, maintain, operate, manage, engage in, franchise, or license, or have any direct or indirect controlling or non-controlling interest as an owner – whether of record, beneficially, or otherwise – in a Competitive Business, wherever located or operating (except that an equity ownership of less than five percent (5%) of a Competitive Business whose stock or other forms of ownership interest are publicly traded on a recognized United States stock exchange will not be deemed to violate this subparagraph);
- 9.1.2. be or perform services as a director, officer, manager, employee, consultant, representative, or agent for a Competitive Business, wherever located or operating;
- 9.1.3. divert or attempt to divert any actual or potential business or customer of the Franchised Business to a Competitive Business; or
- 9.1.4. In any manner interfere with, disturb, disrupt, impair, diminish, or otherwise jeopardize our business or that of our affiliates or any of our developers or franchisees.
After Termination, Expiration, or Transfer.
9.1.5. Upon termination, transfer, or expiration of this Agreement you agree that, for two (2) years beginning on the later of (i) the effective date of termination, transfer, or expiration, or (ii) the date on which all persons restricted by this Section 9.2 begin to comply with this Section 9.2, or (iii) if litigation is necessary to enforce this Agreement, the date of entry of an order by a court of competent jurisdiction enforcing this Agreement: you and your immediate family members, for yourself, or through, on behalf of, or in conjunction with any person, persons, partnership, corporation, limited liability company, or other entity, will not own, maintain, operate, engage in, manage, franchise or license, or have any direct or indirect controlling or non-controlling interest as an owner (whether of record, beneficially, or otherwise) or be or perform services as a partner, director, manager, employee, consultant, representative, or agent in any Competitive Business, that is, or is intended to be, located within the Development Area, or within a five (5) mile radius of the boarder of the Development Area or any other dermani MEDSPA® operating at the time the obligations under this Section 8.2 commence, except as permitted by any franchise agreements that remain in effect between you and us. You agree that the length of time in this Section 9.2 will be tolled for any period during which you are in breach of the covenants set forth in this Section 9.2, or any other period during which we seek to enforce this Agreement.
- 9.1.6. Equity ownership of less than five percent (5%) of a Competitive Business whose stock or other forms of
Source: Item 23 — RECEIPTS (FDD pages 66–311)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
The 2025 Dermani Medspa FDD outlines covenants and restrictions on competition, but it does not explicitly state that these covenants are considered reasonable. Instead, it details specific restrictions during the term of the agreement and after termination, expiration, or transfer. These restrictions prevent franchisees from engaging in competitive businesses or activities that could harm Dermani Medspa.
During the term of the agreement, franchisees are prohibited from developing, owning, or operating a competitive business, working for a competitor, diverting business from the franchised location, or interfering with Dermani Medspa's business. After the agreement ends, these restrictions continue for a period of two years within the Development Area or a five-mile radius of any Dermani Medspa location.
The agreement also specifies that these time restrictions may be extended if the franchisee breaches the covenants or if Dermani Medspa has to pursue litigation to enforce the agreement. While the FDD details the specific terms and conditions of the non-compete agreements, it does not include a statement affirming their reasonableness under applicable law. A prospective franchisee should consult with a legal professional to evaluate the enforceability and reasonableness of these covenants in their specific jurisdiction.