Is a guarantor for a Fat Shack development agreement bound by the restrictive covenants outlined in the Development Agreement?
Fat_Shack Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
EXHIBIT B TO DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT
GUARANTY AND ASSUMPTION OF FRANCHISEE'S OBLIGATIONS
- A. In consideration of, and as an inducement to, the execution of the above Development Agreement ("Development Agreement") by FAT SHACK INC. ("FSI"), each of the undersigned hereby personally and unconditionally:
-
- Guarantees to FSI and its successors and assigns, for the term of the Development Agreement, including renewals thereof, that franchisee named on the signature page ("Franchisee") shall punctually pay and perform each and every undertaking, agreement and covenant set forth in the Development Agreement; and
-
- Agrees to be personally bound by, and personally liable for the breach of, each and every provision in the Development Agreement.
- B. Each of the undersigned waives the following:
-
- Acceptance and notice of acceptance by FSI of the foregoing undertaking;
-
- Notice of demand for payment of any indebtedness or nonperformance of any obligations hereby guaranteed;
-
- Protest and notice of default to any party with respect to the indebtedness or nonperformance of any obligations hereby guaranteed;
-
- Any right he or she may have to require that any action be brought against Franchisee or any other person as a condition of liability; and
-
- Notice of any amendment, modification, deletion or addition of any term or condition of or to any of the obligations hereby guaranteed.
-
- Notice of any termination as to future liability of any other guarantor.
-
- Any and all other notices and legal or equitable defenses to which he or she may be entitled.
- C. Each of the undersigned consents and agrees that:
-
- His or her direct and immediate liability under this guaranty will be joint and several;
-
- He or she will render any payment or performance required under the Development Agreement upon demand if Franchisee fails or refuses punctually to do so;
-
- His or her liability hereunder will not be contingent or conditioned upon pursuit by FSI of any remedies against Franchisee or any other person; and
-
- His or her liability hereunder will not be diminished, relieved or otherwise affected by any amendment, assignment or modification of the Development Agreement or any extension of time,
Source: Item 23 — Receipts (FDD pages 53–223)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to the 2025 Fat Shack Franchise Disclosure Document, a guarantor of a Development Agreement with Fat Shack is bound by the agreement's provisions. As stated in Exhibit B of the Development Agreement, the guarantor personally and unconditionally guarantees to Fat Shack that the franchisee will perform every agreement and covenant in the Development Agreement for the entire term, including renewals. The guarantor also agrees to be personally bound by and liable for any breach of any provision in the Development Agreement. This means the guarantor is equally responsible for ensuring the franchisee adheres to all aspects of the agreement.
This obligation extends to various aspects of the Development Agreement, including the restrictive covenants. These covenants typically include non-compete clauses that prevent the franchisee from engaging in similar businesses during and after the term of the agreement within a specified area. Given the guarantor's agreement to be bound by every provision, they too must ensure they do not violate these restrictive covenants, as they are guaranteeing the franchisee's compliance.
Furthermore, the guarantor waives several rights, including the right to require Fat Shack to first pursue action against the franchisee before seeking recourse from the guarantor. The guarantor also consents to joint and several liability, meaning Fat Shack can seek full performance or payment from either the franchisee or the guarantor. This arrangement provides Fat Shack with a direct avenue to enforce the Development Agreement's terms against the guarantor, including the restrictive covenants, without needing to exhaust remedies against the franchisee first. Therefore, anyone considering acting as a guarantor for a Fat Shack Development Agreement should fully understand the implications of these obligations, especially concerning restrictive covenants.