factual

Under what circumstances is a Fitstop franchise interest transferable upon death?

Fitstop Franchise · 2024 FDD

Answer from 2024 FDD Document

the majority interest or interests. This right shall continue for a period of one (1) calendar year from the closing of the transfer transaction by which we obtain in excess of 50% of the interests in you.

  • 15.10 Our Right of First Refusal will not apply to an approved transfer to a beneficiary in your will or a beneficiary by intestate succession nor to a transfer during lifetime to the spouse or adult child of the transferor. However, we can exercise our Right of First Refusal in the event of a proposed transfer of

this Agreement by your executor, administrator, guardian, or other personal representative or by the beneficiary who takes under your will or by intestate succession.

  • 15.11 Your interest in this Agreement is transferable by will or by intestate succession upon your death, and this includes the interest of a partner in a partnership or the stock ownership of a shareholder in a corporation which owns you. If you or a shareholder or partner in you is determined by a court of competent jurisdiction to be legally incompetent, the guardian of the concerned person who is appointed by the court may transfer the interest of the incompetent to the extent allowed by law. Your interest in this Agreement, including the interest of a partner in a partnership or the stock ownership of a shareholder in a corporation which owns you, is also transferable during your lifetime to a spouse or adult child of the transferor. However, all such transfers are subject to our conditions and requirements regarding transfers as set forth herein, including, but not limited to, application, approval by us, payment of the application, transfer, and training fees, the transferee's execution of the then-current Franchise Agreement, and to our Right of First Refusal where applicable. However, if the transfer is to a named beneficiary or to the spouse or an adult child of an individual, transfer fees are not payable.
  • 15.12 Conditions for our approval of transfer include, but are not limited to, the following: (1) you are in full compliance with this Agreement; (2) you pay us all amounts due; (3) transferee and its general managers satisfactorily complete our training program, (4) transferee executes our then-current form of Franchise Agreement; (5) the transfer fee is paid; (6) we approve any written agreements regarding transfer;

Source: Item 23 — RECEIPTS (FDD pages 50–135)

What This Means (2024 FDD)

According to Fitstop's 2024 Franchise Disclosure Document, a franchisee's interest in the Franchise Agreement is transferable by will or intestate succession. This includes the interest of a partner in a partnership or the stock ownership of a shareholder in a corporation that owns the Fitstop franchise. However, Fitstop retains the right of first refusal in the event of a proposed transfer of the Franchise Agreement by the franchisee's executor, administrator, guardian, or other personal representative, or by a beneficiary who takes under the will or by intestate succession.

If Fitstop does not approve a potential transferee who proposes to take the Fitstop franchise as a beneficiary under the franchisee's will or by intestate succession, the franchisee's estate may sell the franchise to a third party transferee who is acceptable to Fitstop. This sale and transfer must take place within 180 calendar days after the appointment of the executor, administrator, or other personal representative, and is subject to the terms of transfer outlined in the Franchise Agreement, including Fitstop's right of first refusal.

It's important to note that even following death or incapacity, uncured or incurable noncompliance with the Franchise Agreement will not be excused. The estate must comply with the terms and conditions of the Franchise Agreement, and such compliance will not be excused or reduced because of the death or incapacity of the franchisee. If an approved transfer is not completed within the 180-day timeframe, Fitstop has the right to terminate the Franchise Agreement.

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.