factual

What section of the Ella Cafe Development Agreement concerns the transfer of interest?

Ella_Cafe Franchise · 2024 FDD

Answer from 2024 FDD Document

8. TRANSFER OF INTEREST

  • 8.1. Transfer by Franchisor. Franchisor may transfer or assign all or any part of its rights or obligations under this Agreement to any person or legal entity. With respect to any assignment which results in the subsequent performance by the assignee of all of Franchisor's obligations under this Agreement, the assignee will expressly assume and agree to perform such obligations and will become solely responsible for all of Franchisor's obligations under this Agreement from the date of assignment. In addition, and without limitation to the foregoing, Developer expressly affirms and agrees that Franchisor and/or its Affiliates may sell their assets, the Marks, the Copyrighted Works, or the System; may sell securities in a public offering or in a private placement; may merge, acquire other corporations, or be acquired by another corporation; and may undertake a refinancing, recapitalization, leveraged buy-out, or other economic or financial restructuring. With regard to any of the above sales, assignments, and dispositions, Developer expressly and specifically waives any claims, demands, or damages arising from or related to the loss of Franchisor's name, the Marks (or any variation thereof), the Copyrighted Works, the System, and/or the loss of association with or identification of Ella Coffee Company, LLC as the franchisor under this Agreement.
  • 8.2. Transfer by Individual Developer to Business Entity for Convenience. If Developer is an individual or individuals, Developer may transfer its interest in this Agreement to a Business Entity for convenience of operation by signing Franchisor's form of assignment and assumption agreement if: (a) the Business Entity is formed solely for purposes of developing and/or operating Coffee Houses; (b) Developer provides Franchisor a copy of the Business Entity's formation and governing documents and a certificate of good standing from the jurisdiction under which the Business Entity was formed; (c) Developer and its Affiliates are in compliance with this Agreement and all other agreements with Franchisor or its Affiliates; (d) Developer pays

Franchisor its reasonable attorneys' fees incurred to document such transfer; and (e) Developer executes a general release in a form satisfactory to Franchisor of any and all claims against Franchisor and its Affiliates and their respective officers, directors, managers, shareholders, agents, and employees in their corporate and individual capacities, including, without limitation, claims arising under federal, state, and local laws, rules, and ordinances; provided, however, that any release will not be inconsistent with any state law regulating franchising.

  • 8.3. Transfer by Developer and/or Owners.

Developer understands and acknowledges that the rights and duties set forth in this Agreement are personal to Developer and that Franchisor has granted rights under this Agreement in reliance on the business skill, financial capacity, and personal character of Developer and its Owners.

Accordingly, neither Developer nor any Owner, nor any successor or assign of Developer or any Owner, will sell, assign, transfer, convey, give away, pledge, mortgage, or otherwise dispose of or encumber any direct or indirect interest in this Agreement or in the Business Entity without the prior written consent of Franchisor.

Franchisor will not unreasonably withhold its consent to a transfer, but may condition its consent on satisfaction of any or all of the following.

  • 8.3.1.

Developer has provided Franchisor the following at least 120 days prior to the proposed closing date of the proposed transfer: (a) written request for Franchisor's consent to the transfer; (b) payment of the non-refundable transfer fee in the amount set forth in the Key Terms, plus reimbursement of Franchisor's reasonable attorneys' fees; and (c) a copy of the proposed asset purchase/transfer agreements, including sale terms.

  • 8.3.2.

The transferee has demonstrated to Franchisor's satisfaction that the transferee meets Franchisor's then-current educational, managerial, and business standards; possesses a good moral character, business reputation, and credit rating; has the aptitude and ability to operate the Coffee House; and meets Franchisor's then-current financial requirements to become an Ella Café developer.

Source: Item 23 — RECEIPTS (FDD pages 50–181)

What This Means (2024 FDD)

According to Ella Cafe's 2024 Franchise Disclosure Document, Section 8 of the Development Agreement outlines the transfer of interest. Specifically, section 8.3 details the conditions under which a developer or owner can transfer their interest, emphasizing the need for Ella Cafe's prior written consent.

Ella Cafe stipulates that the rights and duties within the agreement are personal to the developer, and the franchise is granted based on the developer's business skills, financial capacity, and personal character. Therefore, any transfer requires franchisor approval, which will not be unreasonably withheld but may be conditional.

To initiate a transfer, the developer must provide written notice at least 120 days before the proposed closing date, along with a non-refundable transfer fee (as specified in the Key Terms) and reimbursement for Ella Cafe's legal fees. The transferee must also meet Ella Cafe's standards for education, management, business acumen, moral character, credit rating, and financial capacity. This ensures that any new developer aligns with Ella Cafe's brand standards and operational requirements.

Disclaimer: This information is extracted from the 2024 Franchise Disclosure Document and is provided for research purposes only. It does not constitute legal or financial advice. Consult with a franchise attorney before making any investment decisions.