What standard of conduct is expected of a Gokhale Method franchisee in performing their obligations?
Gokhale_Method Franchise · 2024 FDDAnswer from 2024 FDD Document
Under the Franchise Agreement, you must personally manage and operate the business and only you may teach classes in the Gokhale Method. You must at all times faithfully, honestly and diligently perform your obligations under the agreements, continuously exert your best efforts to promote and enhance the Business and not engage in any other business or activity that conflicts with your obligations to operate the Franchised Business in compliance with the Franchise Agreement. You may engage in other businesses or activities, but may not comingle them with any Gokhale Method activities or methodologies.
8. YOUR DUTIES
8.1. Operating Standards. You understand and acknowledge that every detail of the System and the Franchised Business is important for delivering a high quality service and product, and therefore it is important to you, us, and other Gokhale Method teachers in order to develop and maintain high operating standards, to increase the demand for the services and products sold by all franchised businesses operating under the System, to protect and enhance our reputation and goodwill, to promote and protect the value of the Marks.
To those ends, you agree to comply with our operating standards as expressed in this Agreement, the Teacher's Manual, and in Policy Statements. You understand that we have the right to suspend your right to teach, or that we may terminate this Agreement, if you fail to maintain our Operating Standards. You agree that you will not teach, administer, advise or represent any method, healing regimen or protocol, or any other activity that is not part of the Gokhale System as being part of the Gokhale System or Gokhale Method unless it has previously been approved by us in writing for your use as such.
- 8.7.
Permits and Licenses.
You will, at your own expense, research the requirements for and obtain all permits and licenses for the Franchised Business and will then operate the Franchised Business in accordance with all applicable laws and regulations, adhere to good business practices and observe high standards of honesty, integrity, fair dealing and ethical business conduct in all dealings with customers, suppliers and us.
You shall immediately notify us in writing of the commencement of any action, suit, or proceeding, and of the issuance of any order, writ, injunction, award, or decree of any court, agency, or other governmental instrumentality, which may adversely affect the operation or financial condition of the Franchised Business.
- 8.8. Student Concerns. You agree to report to us promptly and via email any concerns or complaints from your students or former students.
Such reports shall be in a format and contain such information as we prescribe.
Source: Item 15 — OBLIGATION TO PARTICIPATE IN THE ACTUAL OPERATION OF THE FRANCHISED BUSINESS (FDD page 26)
What This Means (2024 FDD)
According to the 2024 Gokhale Method Franchise Disclosure Document, franchisees must personally manage and operate the business, and only they are allowed to teach classes in the Gokhale Method. Franchisees are expected to perform their obligations faithfully, honestly, and diligently under the franchise agreements. They must continuously exert their best efforts to promote and enhance the business, and they cannot engage in any other business or activity that conflicts with their obligation to operate the franchised business in compliance with the Franchise Agreement. While franchisees can engage in other business activities, they are prohibited from mixing them with any Gokhale Method activities or methodologies.
Operating standards are critical for maintaining high-quality service and products, increasing demand for services and products sold by all franchised businesses, and protecting the reputation and goodwill of the Gokhale Method system. Franchisees must comply with operating standards detailed in the Franchise Agreement, the Teacher's Manual, and Policy Statements. Failure to maintain these operating standards can result in suspension of teaching rights or termination of the Franchise Agreement. Franchisees are prohibited from teaching, administering, advising, or representing any method, healing regimen, or protocol not part of the Gokhale System unless approved in writing by Gokhale Method.
Furthermore, Gokhale Method franchisees must adhere to good business practices and observe high standards of honesty, integrity, fair dealing, and ethical business conduct in all dealings with customers, suppliers, and the franchisor. They are required to research and obtain all necessary permits and licenses for the franchised business and operate in accordance with all applicable laws and regulations. Franchisees must also participate in any intranet or extranet computer network or other Internet-based or computer-assisted communication or teaching system that Gokhale Method adopts or develops, and they must purchase and implement any reasonably required equipment or supplies. They are also expected to report any concerns or complaints from students or former students promptly to Gokhale Method in a prescribed format.