factual

What is the significance of the term 'Engel & Volkers System' as used in this agreement?

Engel_Volkers Franchise · 2025 FDD

Answer from 2025 FDD Document

decorations and furnishings and external design elements giving the real estate brokerage an attractive appearance, installed in accordance with Franchisor's interior decoration plans and outfitting standards (hereinafter called "Brokerage Design");

  • Manuals which may be in electronic form, and all other documents describing the ENGEL & VÖLKERS System, including any amendments, additions and/or deletions or substitutions made by Franchisor (hereinafter called "System Documentation").

  • A proprietary technology platform used in connection with the recording of property listings, client relationship management and online marketing support and for brokerage services and for the integration of franchisees into the ENGEL & VÖLKERS technology network and such other purposes as may be determined by Franchisor from time to time (the "Integrated Product Suite");

  • Provision of ongoing business administration and technical and marketing support;

  • Initial and continuing training courses; and

  • Organization of exchanges of information and experience among franchisees.

  • 1.4 The Franchisee: Franchisee wishes to be franchised the right to use the ENGEL & VÖLKERS System to operate a residential real estate brokerage and franchised business under this Agreement (the franchised "Business") at and only at the approved location specified in Appendix 1 (hereinafter called the "Approved Location"). If, as of the date of this Agreement, the Approved Location has not yet been determined, then it shall thereafter be determined in accordance with Section 3.1 and, upon determination, inserted into Appendix 1. Franchisor is prepared to grant Franchisee, at its request, a franchise to use the ENGEL & VÖLKERS System to operate a residential real estate brokerage at the Approved Location and to use commercially reasonable efforts to support Franchisee.

  • 1.5 Independent Investigation: Franchisee has independently investigated the business risks involved and such other matters as Franchisee deems important, including current and potential market conditions and competitive factors and risks, has read Franchisor's Franchise Disclosure Document, and has not relied on any representations not set forth in this Agreement. Aware of the relevant facts, Franchisee desires to enter into this Agreement to obtain a franchise to use the ENGEL & VÖLKERS System to operate a residential real estate brokerage at the Approved Location. Franchisee agrees that it will bear the financial risk involved in operation of the real estate brokerage.

2. Nature of Franchise

  • 2.1 Grant of Franchise: Subject to the terms of this Agreement, Franchisor hereby grants to Franchisee the non-exclusive right to establish and operate an ENGEL & VÖLKERS® residential real estate brokerage at the Approved Location for the provision of real estate brokerage services with respect to residential properties of the type permitted under Section 2.2 using the ENGEL & VÖLKERS System and Trademarks (the "Residential Real Estate Brokerage").
  • 2.2 Types of Property: Franchisee may provide real estate brokerage services only for residential properties consisting of a house or building (including an apartment within a multi-family building) or undeveloped land, including leaseholds, vacation and resort residential units, cooperatives, condominiums, and any other form of real estate for which a residential real estate brokerage license is required under applicable law.

Although this Agreement is granting a franchise for a Residential Real Estate Brokerage, Franchisee may also provide real estate brokerage services for commercial properties under the residential Trademarks, provided: (i) the commercial real estate brokerage services are offered as a service ancillary to the provision of real estate brokerage services for residential properties, (ii) Franchisee does not hold itself out as providing commercial real

estate brokerage services as its principal business or as being a stand-alone provider solely of commercial services, and (iii) Franchisee's aggregate listings on a unit basis of commercial properties does not exceed five percent (5%) of all its listings in any calendar year during the term of Franchisee's agreement ("Permitted Commercial Services"). For purposes of clarity, the definition of Permitted Commercial Services does not provide Franchisee with a right to conduct business under any other Trademarks, other than the residential Trademarks.

Source: Item 22 — CONTRACTS (FDD page 88)

What This Means (2025 FDD)

According to Engel & Volkers's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, the 'Engel & Volkers System' is central to the franchise agreement, defining the methods, standards, and resources a franchisee is entitled and obligated to use. The franchisee is granted the right to use the Engel & Volkers System to operate a residential real estate brokerage at an approved location. This system includes a proprietary technology platform for managing property listings and client relationships, ongoing business administration, technical and marketing support, initial and continuing training courses, and the organization of information exchanges among franchisees.

Engel & Volkers retains the right to modify the Engel & Volkers System to suit specific market conditions, potentially requiring franchisees to make additional investments or incur higher operating costs. Franchisees are expected to share their experiences and insights gained from using the Engel & Volkers System with the franchisor and other franchisees, contributing to the system's ongoing development. Franchisees must also operate their real estate brokerage in accordance with the mandatory instructions detailed in the System Documentation, which outlines the application of the Engel & Volkers System.

Engel & Volkers reserves all rights not explicitly granted to the franchisee, including the right to use or franchise the Engel & Volkers System and trademarks outside the franchisee's protected area. The franchisee's use of Engel & Volkers' trademarks is specifically for operating their residential real estate brokerage under the agreement and must comply with the standards set by Engel & Volkers. Engel & Volkers also controls all rights regarding the use of the system and trademarks in the metaverse.

The Engel & Volkers System also involves cooperation with service companies for financial services and insurance. Franchisees are generally required to work exclusively with these companies unless they have valid commercial or financial reasons to refuse. Franchisees must also inform Engel & Volkers of their experiences with the system and allow the franchisor and other franchisees to use their know-how without charge, assigning any improvements to the system to Engel & Volkers.

Disclaimer: This information is extracted from the 2025 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.