factual

What constitutes a 'direct or indirect interest' in a Competitive Business that a Hydrodog franchisee is prohibited from having?

Hydrodog Franchise · 2025 FDD

Answer from 2025 FDD Document

and reliance upon your agreement to deal exclusively with us. You agree that, during the term of this Agreement, and subject to applicable state law, neither you, any of your owners, nor any immediate family members of you or your owners (including spouses or children) will:

  • (a) have any direct or indirect interest as a disclosed or beneficial owner in a Competitive Business, other than your HydroDog Business;
  • (b) have any direct or indirect controlling interest as a disclosed or beneficial owner in a Competitive Business, wherever located;
  • (c) have any direct or indirect interest (e.g. through a spouse or child) as a disclosed or beneficial owner, investor, partner, director, officer, employee, consultant, member, Manager, representative or agent or in any other capacity in any Competitive Business operating (i) within the Territory; (ii) within twenty-five (25) miles of the Territory; or (iii) within twenty-five (25) miles of any other HydroDog Business's Territory in operation or under development on the later of (a) the effective date of the termination or expiration of this Agreement or (b) the date on which you cease to have any direct or indirect interest in a Competitive Business;
  • (d) perform services as a director, officer, Manager, employee, consultant, representative, agent or otherwise for a Competitive Business, wherever located; or
  • (e) on behalf of yourself or any other person, or as an employee, proprietor, owner, consultant, agent, contractor, employer, affiliate, partner, officer, director or associate, or stockholder of any other person or entity, or in any other capacity, engage in or conduct any other business if you have any significant operational or management responsibility or obligation regarding such business, if such other business would interfere with your obligations under this Agreement to develop and operate your HydroDog business or otherwise (other than the HydroDog Businesses operated under franchise agreements with us), unless your HydroDog business is managed by a Chief Operating Officer, or equivalent position, approved by us, who has satisfactorily completed our training programs. This provision does not prohibit passive investments in other businesses that do not compete directly or indirectly with HydroDog business. However, an interest in a business in which your capacity is either a director, officer or majority stockholder (or any combination thereof) does not constitute a passive investment, and will be considered a breach of these provisions of this Agreement.

The term "Competitive Business" refers to any business or facility that owns, operates, manages, grants, sells, offers or supports franchises or licenses to others to do so, any mobile, fixed, or internet or catalog based business or facility that provides pet grooming, pet care, pet products or services, or any other pet-related products and services that are identical, similar to, or competitive with the Products and Services offered by HydroDog Businesses, whether now existing or hereafter developed, excluding any HydroDog Business under a franchise agreement with us, or any other business that we, at our sole discretion, determine to be competitive.

11.

Source: Item 23 — RECEIPTS (FDD pages 43–166)

What This Means (2025 FDD)

According to Hydrodog's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, a franchisee is restricted from having certain interests in a Competitive Business. A 'Competitive Business' is defined as any business that offers pet grooming, pet care, pet products, or services that are similar to those offered by Hydrodog, excluding other Hydrodog franchises.

The restrictions include having any direct or indirect interest as a disclosed or beneficial owner in a Competitive Business, other than the franchisee's own Hydrodog Business. This encompasses any controlling interest as a disclosed or beneficial owner, regardless of the Competitive Business's location. It also extends to interests held through family members, such as a spouse or child, in any Competitive Business operating within the franchisee's territory, within 25 miles of the territory, or within 25 miles of any other Hydrodog Business's territory.

Furthermore, a Hydrodog franchisee is prohibited from performing services as a director, officer, manager, employee, consultant, representative, or agent for a Competitive Business, regardless of its location. They are also restricted from engaging in any other business with significant operational or management responsibility that would interfere with their obligations to develop and operate their Hydrodog business. The agreement does allow for passive investments in non-competing businesses, but an interest as a director, officer, or majority stockholder is not considered a passive investment and would be a breach of the agreement.

Disclaimer: This information is extracted from the 2025 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.