factual

Can a Fly Fitness developer transfer the agreement without written consent from the franchisor?

Fly_Fitness Franchise · 2024 FDD

Answer from 2024 FDD Document

eveloper acknowledges may be within the Development Area, proximate thereto, or proximate to any of Developer's Franchised Businesses).

  • 6.1.3 If Franchisor assigns its rights in this Agreement, nothing herein shall be deemed to require Franchisor or any of its affiliates to remain in any line of business or to offer or sell any products or services to Developer.
  • 6.2 Restrictions on Transfers by Developer. Developer's rights and duties under this Agreement are personal to Developer, and Franchisor has made this Agreement with Developer in reliance on Franchisor's perceptions of the individual and collective character, skill, aptitude, attitude, business ability, and financial capacity of Developer. Thus, no transfer, as hereafter defined, may be made without Franchisor's prior written approval. Franchisor may void any transfer made without such approval.
  • 6.3 Transfers by Developer. Developer shall not directly or indirectly sell, assign, transfer, give, devise, convey or encumber this Agreement or any right granted or interest herein or hereunder (a "Transfer") or suffer or permit any such assignment, transfer, or encumbrance to occur by operation of law unless Developer first obtains the written consent of Franchisor, which Franchisor may or may not grant in Franchisor's sole discretion, and subject to the following:
    • 6.3.1 The proposed transferee must be an individual of good moral character and otherwise meet Franchisor's then-applicable standards for multi-unit franchisees.
    • 6.3.2 The transferee must have sufficient business experience, aptitude and financial resources to operate multiple Franchised Businesses and to comply with this Agreement;
    • 6.3.3 The transferee has agreed to complete Franchisor's Initial Management Training Program to Franchisor's satisfaction;
    • 6.3.4 Developer has paid all amounts owed to (i) Franchisor pursuant to this Agreement and all Franchise Agreements and other agreements between Franchisor and/or Franchisor's affiliates and Developer and (ii) third-party creditors;
    • 6.3.5 The transferee has executed Franchisor's then-standard form of Multi-Unit Development Agreement, which may have terms and conditions different from this Agreement, for a term no less than the unexpired term of future development obligations due pursuant to the Mandatory Development Schedule of this Agreement;

  • 6.3.6 Developer and the transferee shall have executed a general release, in a form satisfactory to Franchisor, of any and all claims against Franchisor and Franchisor's officers, directors, shareholders, members and employees in their corporate and individual capacities, including, without limitation, claims arising under federal, state and local laws, rules and ordinances. Developer agrees to subordinate any claims Developer may have against the transferee to Franchisor and indemnify Franchisor against any claims by the transferee relating to misrepresentations in the transfer process, specifically excluding those representations made by Franchisor in the Franchise Disclosure Document given to the transferee;
  • 6.3.7 Franchisor has granted written approval of the material terms and conditions of the Transfer, including, without limitation, that the price and terms of payment will not adversely affect the transferee's development obligations. However, Franchisor's approval of a Transfer is not in any way a representation or warranty of the transferee's success or the soundness of transferee's decision to purchase the Developer's development rights on such terms and conditions. Developer shall provide Franchisor all proposed transfer documents for Franchisor's review at least thirty (30) days prior to a closing of the proposed Transfer; and
  • 6.3.8 If Developer, through Developer or any entity, finances any part of the sale price of the Transfer, Developer agrees that all obligations of the transferee under any notes, agreements or security interests to Developer or Developer's entity will be subordinate to the transferee's obligations to Franchisor.
  • 6.4 Transfer Fee. As a condition to any Transfer, Developer shall pay Franchisor a transfer fee equal to

Source: Item 23 — RECEIPT (FDD pages 45–182)

What This Means (2024 FDD)

According to Fly Fitness's 2024 Franchise Disclosure Document, a developer cannot transfer the agreement without prior written approval from Fly Fitness. Fly Fitness has the right to void any transfer made without their approval.

Fly Fitness emphasizes that the agreement is personal to the developer, and the company relies on its perception of the developer's character, skills, business ability, and financial capacity. Therefore, any transfer requires Fly Fitness's consent.

To gain approval for a transfer, the proposed transferee must meet Fly Fitness's standards for multi-unit franchisees, possess sufficient business experience and financial resources, and agree to complete the initial management training program. The developer must also settle all outstanding payments to Fly Fitness and third-party creditors. The transferee must execute Fly Fitness's current standard Multi-Unit Development Agreement, and both parties must sign a general release of claims against Fly Fitness. Fly Fitness must also grant written approval of the transfer's material terms and conditions.

As a condition of the transfer, the Fly Fitness developer must pay a transfer fee of $10,000 multiplied by the number of remaining Franchised Businesses to be developed. However, this fee is waived for transfers among the individuals named as Developer in the introductory paragraph of the agreement, and for a transfer to a spouse upon death or permanent disability of a Developer.

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.