What is the Engel & Volkers franchisee's obligation regarding financial risk?
Engel_Volkers Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
Franchisee understands and agrees that adaptations and modifications to the ENGEL & VÖLKERS System may obligate Franchisee to invest additional capital or incur higher operating costs.
Franchisee agrees to promptly pay when due all taxes, accounts, liabilities, indebtedness and other obligations of any kind incurred by Franchisee in the conduct of its Residential Real Estate Brokerage. "Taxes" shall include those incurred by Franchisee in the conduct of its Residential Real Estate Brokerage (including income taxes, or general business taxes, whether by gross receipts or otherwise), and taxes incurred by Franchisor or one of its affiliates, with respect to services or property provided to, or royalties or fees charged to, Franchisee, including sales, use, gross receipts or similar transaction taxes on Franchisee's revenues or receipts.
Franchisee will, at its sole cost, at all times defend, reimburse and hold harmless Franchisor and its affiliates, subsidiaries, successors, assigns and designees; and, the officers, directors, managers, employees, contractors, agents, attorneys, shareholders, owners, members, designees and representatives of all of the foregoing (Franchisor and all others referenced above being the "Indemnified Parties"), and indemnify and hold harmless Franchisor and the other Indemnified Parties to the fullest extent permitted by law, against all claims, losses, liabilities and costs (as denominated in the following paragraph) incurred in connection with any judicial, administrative or arbitration action or proceeding (including bankruptcy, insolvency, debtor/creditor or similar proceedings), suit, claim, demand, investigation, or formal or informal inquiry (regardless of whether any of the foregoing is reduced to judgment) or any settlement of the foregoing, which actually or allegedly, directly or indirectly, arises out of, is based upon, is a result of or is related in any way to any element of Franchisee's entry into this Agreement; actions or omissions committed by Franchisee or its affiliates, employees, contractors, or Sales Advisors in connection with the operation of the ENGEL & VÖLKERS Residential Real Estate Brokerage hereunder; the establishment, construction, ownership, opening and operation of the office of Franchisee's franchised Business hereunder, including any other business operating within or in relation to the office (which other business, if any, shall be subsumed within this paragraph's references to the office) and further including (without limitation) any personal, bodily or mental injury, death, property damage or loss, suffered by any customer, visitor, manager, operator, supplier, employee, contractor, or guest of the franchised ENGEL & VÖLKERS office; crimes committed on or near any of the premises or facilities of Franchisee's franchised Business or vehicles used by Franchisee's franchised Business; all acts, errors, neglects or omissions engaged in by Franchisee, its contractors or subcontractors, as well as any third party, arising out of or related to the design, construction, conversion, build-out, outfitting, remodeling, renovation or upgrading of its franchised ENGEL & VÖLKERS office, whether or not any of the foregoing was approved by Franchisor; defects in any ENGEL & VÖLKERS franchised office that Franchisee constructs and/or operates, whether or not discoverable by Franchisee or by Franchisor; all acts, errors, neglects or omissions of Franchisee or the franchised ENGEL & VÖLKERS Residential Real Estate Brokerage and/or the owners, officers, directors, management, employees, agents, servants, contractors, partners, proprietors, affiliates or representatives of Franchisee and/or the franchised Business and/or the location thereof (or any third party acting on Franchisee's behalf or at Franchisee's direction), whether in connection with the franchised business, the office or otherwise, including (without limitation) any property damage, injury or death suffered or caused by any vehicle serving the franchised Business; any claim, however and wherever asserted, that Franchisor or its respective affiliates are the employer, joint employer or coemployer of Franchisee and/or Franchisee's employees or contractors; claims that Franchisee, its owners, employees, contractors, brokers or Franchisee's Sales Advisors are Franchisor's employees, agents or part of a common enterprise with Franchisor, including claims regarding violation or labor or employment law regulations; third party claims against Franchisor arising from or related to Franchisee's breach of the terms, restrictions and requirements of this Agreement (including, without limitation, Franchisee's unauthorized use of the Trademarks, violation of any applicable laws, codes, rules or regulations or failure to comply with Information Privacy Laws); Franchisee's violation of Information Privacy Laws; all liabilities arising from Franchisee's offer, sale and/or delivery of programs, services and/or products as contemplated by this Agreement; Franchisee's offer, sale and/or delivery of securities, equity interests or other ownership interests in Franchisee or the franchised ENGEL & VÖLKERS office or business of Franchisee; all activities, conduct and representations which Franchisee may engage in
Should for any reason disputes or complaints arise between Franchisee and its Sales Advisors, its staff members, its clients or other franchisees, Franchisee will respond to and resolve such disputes or complaints without delay, professionally and fairly.
Where Franchisor determines in its sole discretion that Franchisee's action and/or inaction has put the ENGEL & VÖLKERS brand reputation at risk, Franchisee will provide all information requested by Franchisor regarding that risk and take all actions directed by Franchisor to mitigate that risk.
Source: Item 22 — CONTRACTS (FDD page 88)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Engel & Volkers' 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, franchisees bear several financial responsibilities and potential risks. Engel & Volkers may modify its system to adapt to market conditions, potentially requiring franchisees to invest additional capital or incur higher operating costs. Franchisees are also responsible for paying all taxes, accounts, liabilities, indebtedness, and other obligations incurred in the operation of their real estate brokerage. These taxes include those incurred directly by the franchisee and any taxes incurred by Engel & Volkers or its affiliates related to services or property provided to the franchisee.
Engel & Volkers franchisees must also indemnify Engel & Volkers and its affiliates against all claims, losses, liabilities, and costs arising from the franchisee's actions or omissions, the operation of the franchised business, or any related activities. This includes potential liabilities for personal injury, property damage, or other losses suffered by customers, employees, or other parties. Franchisees are expected to resolve disputes or complaints professionally and fairly, and any actions that put the Engel & Volkers brand reputation at risk must be mitigated as directed by the franchisor.
These provisions highlight the importance of careful financial planning and risk management for prospective Engel & Volkers franchisees. Franchisees should be prepared to handle potential increases in operating costs, tax obligations, and liabilities arising from their business operations. It is crucial to maintain adequate insurance coverage and implement sound business practices to minimize financial risks and protect the Engel & Volkers brand.