factual

What is a Fly Fitness franchisee required to do to protect the reputation and goodwill of the franchisor?

Fly_Fitness Franchise · 2024 FDD

Answer from 2024 FDD Document

ired to meet System standards and Franchisor's requirements as they may be modified from time to time;

  • 12.1.3. Comply with all applicable governmental laws, ordinances, rules and regulations;
  • 12.1.4. Maintain sufficient inventories of equipment and products as prescribed by Franchisor and employ sufficient employees as prescribed by Franchisor to operate the Franchised Business at its maximum capacity and efficiency as required by Franchisor. Franchisee may not be open for additional hours or fewer hours or fewer days without prior approval of Franchisor;
  • 12.1.5. Conduct sales in accordance with Franchisor's standards and specifications. Franchisee acknowledges and accepts that Franchisee may only engage in providing fitness instruction to end-consumers. Franchisee is expressly prohibited from selling products or services using the Franchised Business operations, assets and/or premises (i) that are not a part of the Fly Fitness System or that are not approved by Franchisor, (ii) outside of the Franchised Business premises (excluding promotional and sales events in the Territory with Franchisor's prior approval), (iii) on the internet (provided that Franchisee may conduct classregistration and payment online through Franchisor's approved platform(s)), or (iv) to dealers and/or distributors for subsequent re-sale. Engaging in such sales shall be a material default of this Agreement;
  • 12.1.6. Employ only qualified individuals who are trained in accordance with Franchisor's standards and who will at all times conduct themselves in a competent and courteous manner in accordance with this Agreement and the image and reputation of the System. Within ninety (90) days of hiring, Franchisee's coaches (and Franchisee or Principal if providing fitness instruction) shall obtain personal training certifications issued by a nationally recognized organization approved by Franchisor. In addition to the requirements of Section 7.4 hereof, Franchisee, at Franchisee's sole expense, shall ensure that Franchisee's coaches (and Franchisee or Principal if providing fitness instruction) attend any required continuing education or training programs to maintain their personal training certifications.
  • 12.1.7. Permit Franchisor or its agents, to inspect the Franchised Business location and any services, products, or equipment, including removal of same without payment to Franchisee, to determine whether they meet Franchisor's then-current standards, specifications, and requirements. In addition to any other remedies Franchisor may have, Franchisee shall reimburse Franchisor for Franchisor's inspection costs of any item that does not conform to the System standards and specifications;
  • 12.1.8. Prominently display signs in and upon the Franchised Business location using the Marks and/or other advertising and/or signs of such nature, form, color, number,

location and size, and containing such material, as Franchisor may from time to time reasonably direct or approve in writing; and to not display in or upon the Franchised Business location or elsewhere any sign or advertising media of any kind to which Franchisor reasonably objects, including signs and advertising media which have been outdated. Upon giving Franchisee notice of its objection to same or upon termination hereof, Franchisor may at any time enter upon the Franchised Business location or elsewhere and remove any objectionable or non-approved signs or advertising media and keep or destroy same without paying therefor or without being deemed guilty of trespass or any other tort;

12.1.9. Conduct all advertising programs in a manner consistent with Franchisor's standards and specifications, in a manner satisfactory to Franchisor and that will not detract from the reputation of the System or the Marks.

12.2. Bookkeeping and Reports.

  • 12.2.1. Franchisee agrees to keep and maintain complete and accurate books and records of its transactions and business operations using the accounting procedures and chart of accounts specified by Franchisor. Franchisee agrees to purchase the Computer Systems specified in Section 12.3 to maintain the records and accounts of the Franchisee to the standards of the Franchisor. Franchisee acknowledges and agrees that the financial data of Franchisee's Franchised Business (i) is owned by Franchisor, (ii) is Franchisor's Proprietary Information, (iii) may be published in franchise disclosure document(s) issued by Franchisor following the Effective Date hereof, and (iv) may be shared with other franchisees in the System.
  • 12.2.2. Within ninety (90) days after the close of each fiscal year, and at any time upon Franchisor's written request, Franchisee will furnish Franchisor a full and complete written statement of income and expense and a profit and loss statement for the operation of the Franchised Business during said period, together with a balance sheet for the Franchised Business, all of which shall be prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles and practice. Franchisee's annual statements and balance sheets shall be prepared by an independent certified public accountant and certified to be correct.
  • 12.2.3. The financial statements required hereunder shall be in such form and contain such information as Franchisor may from time to time reasonably designate.
  • 12.2.4. Franchisor reserves the right to require Franchisee to engage the services of a thirdparty accounting services firm, designated and approved by Franchisor, in the event that (i) Franchisee fails to keep books and records in accordance with Franchisor's standards or (ii) Franchisor, in its sole discretion, determines that use of a third-party accounting services firm by all System franchisees is beneficial to the System.
  • 12.2.5. Franchisor shall have the right at all reasonable times to examine, at its expense, Franchisee's books, records, and tax returns. If Franchisor's examination finds that any Gross Revenue Report was understated by two percent (2%) or more, Franchisee

shall reimburse Franchisor for the cost of such examination and pay the Franchisor the amounts due together with interest thereon at the rate provided herein. Such understatement may be considered a material default hereunder. Two (2) such understatements during the term of this Agreement may, at the option of Franchisor, be considered an incurable default and thereby subject to termination as provided herein.

12.3. Computer Systems.

  • 12.3.1. Franchisee, at Franchisee's sole expense, shall install and maintain computer hardware and software, including any designated point-of-sale system ("POS System"), that Franchisor requires for the operation of the Franchised Business and shall follow the procedures related thereto that Franchisor specifies in the Manual or otherwise in writing.
  • 12.3.2. Franchisor may require Franchisee, at Franchisee's sole expense, to install and maintain systems and web-based payment processing accounts that permit Franchisor to independently and electronically access and retrieve any information stored in Franchisee's POS System, other computer systems and web-based payment processing accounts, including, without limitation, information concerning Gross Revenue. Upon Franchisor's request, Franchisee shall execute such documents as Franchisor deems necessary to permit Franchisor to independently and electronically access and retrieve all information stored on Franchisee's POS System, other computer systems and web-based payment processing accounts.
  • 12.3.3 Any and all customer data collected or provided by Franchisee, retrieved from Franchisee's POS System, or otherwise collected from Franchisee by Franchisor or provided to Franchisor, is and will be owned exclusively by Franchisor and will be considered to be Franchisor's proprietary and Confidential Information. Franchisor has the right to use such data in any manner without compensation to Franchisee. Franchisor licenses to Franchisee the use of such data solely for the purpose of operating the Franchised Business;

Source: Item 22 — CONTRACTS (FDD pages 44–45)

What This Means (2024 FDD)

According to Fly Fitness's 2024 Franchise Disclosure Document, franchisees have several obligations aimed at protecting the brand's reputation and goodwill. These include operational standards, restrictions on sales activities, and proper use of intellectual property. Fly Fitness franchisees must maintain sufficient inventory and staffing levels to ensure efficient operation, conduct sales according to Fly Fitness's standards, and only offer approved products and services within approved locations. They are also responsible for ensuring that all employees, including themselves if they provide instruction, are qualified and trained according to Fly Fitness's standards, including obtaining certifications from a nationally recognized organization within 90 days of hiring.

Fly Fitness franchisees must also allow Fly Fitness or its agents to inspect their business location, services, products, and equipment to ensure compliance with the franchisor's standards. Franchisees are required to use designated fictitious names that identify them as a franchisee of Fly Fitness Franchise, L.L.C., and must identify themselves as an independent franchisee in all uses of Fly Fitness's intellectual property, such as on invoices and contracts. They cannot use Fly Fitness's intellectual property to incur debt on behalf of the franchisor, and any items containing Fly Fitness's marks must be approved by Fly Fitness before distribution or sale.

Furthermore, Fly Fitness franchisees must promptly report any potential infringement or challenges to the use of Fly Fitness's intellectual property and must follow Fly Fitness's instructions regarding any related claims or proceedings. Franchisees are also obligated to use the electronic mail account provided by Fly Fitness, respond to emails daily, and avoid establishing unauthorized websites. During the term of the agreement, franchisees must not divert business or customers to competitors, participate in similar fitness businesses, or attempt to hire employees of Fly Fitness or other franchisees. These restrictions also extend for 24 months after the agreement expires or is terminated, within a 10-mile radius of the territory or any Fly Fitness location.

These measures are typical in franchising, as franchisors need to maintain consistent quality and brand image across all locations. By adhering to these requirements, Fly Fitness franchisees contribute to the overall strength and reputation of the brand, which benefits all franchisees within the system. Failure to comply with these stipulations could lead to a breach of the franchise agreement and potential legal consequences.

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.