factual

What understanding should a Fly Fitness franchisee have about the business risks involved?

Fly_Fitness Franchise · 2024 FDD

Answer from 2024 FDD Document

  • 3.1 Territory. This Agreement grants Franchisee the right to operate the Franchised Business at a single location and from within the Territory. Subject to Section 3.2 below, Franchisor agrees that during the Term of this Agreement, Franchisor will not operate, and will not authorize any other franchisees to operate, a Fly Fitness outlet in the Territory using the same Marks as licensed to Franchisee in this Agreement so long as Franchisee is not in default under this Agreement or this Agreement has not been terminated. Except as otherwise specified in this Agreement, Franchisor reserves the right to open, operate or franchise Fly Fitness franchises bordering and adjacent to the Territory. Except as set forth in this Agreement, Franchisee is prohibited from serving and soliciting customers outside of the Territory and from alternative methods of distribution as more fully specified herein.
  • 3.2 Reservation of Rights. Franchisee understands and agrees that all rights to any businesses, other than as specified in this Agreement, are fully reserved to Franchisor within or outside of the Territory. By way of example only, Franchisor reserves the rights to offer (i) other products or services not offered under the Marks, (ii) other fitness concepts under the Marks or other trademarks, and (iii) services and products through any channel in the Territory other than a dedicated Fly Fitness outlet, such as to schools, camps, institutional/professional campuses, and conferences; distribution of products through retail outlets, including but not limited to, grocery, health and fitness outlets; and the Internet ("Alternate Distribution Channels"). Franchisee will receive no compensation for Franchisor's sales through Alternate Distribution Channels made within the Territory. Franchisee agrees that such implementation of Franchisor's rights pursuant to this Section 3.2 is deemed not to impair or injure Franchisee's rights pursuant to Section 2 hereof.
  • 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;
  • 16.1.2. Franchisee agrees that Franchisor has the right, now or in the future, to purchase, merge, acquire or affiliate with an existing competitive or non-competitive franchise network, chain or any other business regardless of the location of that chain's or business' facilities, and to operate, franchise or license those businesses and/or facilities operating under the Marks or any other marks following Franchisor's purchase, merger, acquisition or affiliation, regardless of the location of the facilities (which Franchisee acknowledges may be within the Territory, proximate thereto, or proximate to any of Franchisee's locations). However, Franchisor represents that it will not convert any such acquired facilities that are operating within the Territory to a Fly Fitness franchise during the Term of this Agreement.
  • 19.5.1 During the term of this Agreement, Franchisee and Principal(s) shall not, either directly or indirectly, for themselves or through, on behalf of, or in conjunction with, any person or entity (i) divert, or attempt to divert, any business or customer of the Franchised Business or of other franchisees in the System to any competitor, by direct or indirect inducement or otherwise; (ii) participate as an owner, partner, director, officer, employee, consultant or agent or serve in any other capacity in any fitness or exercise business similar to the System; or (iii) seek to employ any person who is at that time employed by Franchisor or by any other System franchisee, or otherwise induce such person to leave his or her employment; or (iv) do or perform, directly or indirectly, any other act injurious or prejudicial to the goodwill associated with the Marks and the System or (v) in any manner interfere with, disturb, disrupt, decrease or otherwise jeopardize the business of the Franchisor or any Fly Fitness franchisees or Franchisor-affiliated outlets.
  • 19.5.2. Upon the expiration or earlier termination of this Agreement or upon a Transfer and continuing for twenty-four (24) months thereafter, Franchisee and Principal(s) shall not, either directly or indirectly, for themselves or through, on behalf of or in conjunction with any person or entity (i) divert, or attempt to divert, any business or customer of the Franchised Business or of other franchisees in the System to any competitor, by direct or indirect inducement or otherwise; or (ii) participate as an owner, partner, director, officer, employee, consultant or agent or serve in any other capacity in any fitness or exercise business within ten (10) miles of the Territory or any Fly Fitness location; or (iii) seek to employ any person who is at that time employed by Franchisor or by any other System franchisee, or otherwise induce
  • 15.6 Indemnification. TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, FRANCHISEE AGREES TO EXONERATE AND INDEMNIFY AND HOLD HARMLESS FLY FITNESS FRANCHISE, L.L.C., FLY HOLDINGS, LLC, LICENSOR, AND ANY OF THESE COMPANIES' PARENT COMPANY, SUBSIDIARIES, DIVISIONS, AFFILIATES, SUCCESSORS, ASSIGNS AND DESIGNEES AS WELL AS THEIR DIRECTORS, OFFICERS, EMPLOYEES, AGENTS, SHAREHOLDERS, SUCCESSORS, DESIGNEES AND REPRESENTATIVES (COLLECTIVELY REFERRED TO AS THE "FLY FITNESS INDEMNITEES"), FROM ALL CLAIMS BASED UPON, ARISING OUT OF, OR IN ANY WAY RELATED TO THE OPERATION, CONDITION, OR ANY PART OF FRANCHISEE'S FLY FITNESS FRANCHISE, THE FRANCHISED BUSINESS, THE PRODUCTS, THE PREMISES, OR ANY ASPECT OF THE REAL ESTATE CONNECTED TO FRANCHISEE'S FRANCHISED BUSINESS, WHETHER CAUSED BY FRANCHISEE, FRANCHISEE'S AGENTS OR EMPLOYEES, OR ARISING FROM FRANCHISEE'S ADVERTISING OR BUSINESS PRACTICES. FRANCHISEE AGREES TO PAY FOR ALL THE FLY FITNESS INDEMNITEES' LOSSES, EXPENSES (INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO ATTORNEYS' FEES) OR CONCURRENT OR CONTRIBUTING LIABILITY INCURRED IN CONNECTION WITH ANY ACTION, SUIT, PROCEEDING, INQUIRY (REGARDLESS OF WHETHER THE SAME IS REDUCED TO JUDGMENT OR DETERMINATION), OR ANY SETTLEMENT THEREOF FOR THE INDEMNIFICATION GRANTED BY FRANCHISEE HEREUNDER.

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

What This Means (2024 FDD)

According to Fly Fitness's 2024 Franchise Disclosure Document, a franchisee faces several potential business risks. Fly Fitness retains significant rights that could impact a franchisee's business. For example, Fly Fitness reserves the right to offer other products, services, or fitness concepts under different trademarks through various channels, including the internet, without compensating the franchisee. This could lead to competition within the franchisee's territory. Additionally, Fly Fitness can purchase, merge, or affiliate with competitive businesses, even within the franchisee's territory, although they represent they will not convert acquired facilities to a Fly Fitness franchise during the agreement term.

Another risk involves the franchisee's adherence to Fly Fitness's standards and requirements. The franchisee must maintain sufficient inventory and staffing levels, conduct sales according to Fly Fitness's standards, and employ qualified, certified personnel. Failure to meet these standards could result in the removal of products or equipment without compensation and potential default of the agreement. The franchisee is also limited in the ways they can market and sell Fly Fitness services, being expressly prohibited from selling products or services that are not part of the Fly Fitness system or approved by Fly Fitness, outside of the franchised business premises (with limited exceptions), on the internet (except for class registration), or to dealers/distributors for resale.

Furthermore, the franchisee is subject to various restrictions both during and after the franchise term. During the term, they cannot divert business or customers to competitors, participate in similar fitness businesses, or interfere with the business of Fly Fitness or its franchisees. Post-termination, these restrictions continue for 24 months within a 10-mile radius of the territory or any Fly Fitness location. The franchisee is also obligated to indemnify Fly Fitness from claims related to the operation of the franchise. These factors highlight the importance of understanding the contractual obligations and potential limitations when investing in a Fly Fitness franchise.

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.