If a Face Foundrie Area Developer is terminated, does the non-compete agreement still apply?
Face_Foundrie Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
- 8.3 After the Agreement and After a Transfer*.* Area Developer covenants that, except as otherwise approved in writing by Franchisor, for a continuous uninterrupted period of two (2) years from the date of (a) a transfer permitted under Section 7 above; (b) expiration of this Agreement; (c) termination of this Agreement (regardless of the cause for termination); (d) a final order of a duly authorized arbitrator, panel of arbitrators, or a court of competent jurisdiction (after all appeals have been taken) with respect to any of the foregoing or with respect to enforcement of this Section 8.3; or (e) any or all of the foregoing, Area Developer shall not either directly or indirectly, for itself, or through, on behalf of, or in conjunction with any person, partnership, corporation, or other entity, own, maintain, operate, engage in, be employed by, or have any interest in any Competitive Business, which is, or is intended to be, located (i) within the Development Area (other than those Franchised Facial Bars provided for in the Development Schedule), or (ii) within a radius of ten (10) miles of the protected territory of any other Face Foundrié Facial Bar in operation or under construction on the effective date of termination or expiration.
Provided, however, that this provision shall not apply to the operation by Area Developer of any business under the System under a franchise agreement with Franchisor.
- 8.4 Exception for Ownership in Public Entities.
Sections 8.2 and 8.3 hereof shall not apply to ownership by Area Developer of less than a five percent (5%) beneficial interest in the outstanding equity securities of any publicly held corporation.
Source: Item 23 — RECEIPTS (FDD pages 74–257)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Face Foundrie's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, the non-compete agreement does apply even if the Area Developer agreement is terminated. Specifically, the Area Developer is subject to a two-year non-compete period that begins from the date of termination, regardless of the cause of termination.
During this two-year period, the Area Developer is restricted from owning, maintaining, operating, engaging in, being employed by, or having any interest in any Competitive Business. This restriction applies within the Development Area (excluding franchised facial bars provided for in the Development Schedule) and within a 10-mile radius of the protected territory of any other Face Foundrie Facial Bar in operation or under construction on the termination date.
This non-compete provision does not prevent the Area Developer from operating a business under the Face Foundrie system under a franchise agreement with Face Foundrie. Also, the non-compete does not apply to ownership of less than 5% of the equity securities of any publicly held corporation. This ensures Face Foundrie can protect its market presence and confidential information even after an Area Developer's agreement ends.