Under what circumstances is it acceptable for a Hydrodog business to be closed without being considered abandonment?

According to Hydrodog's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, a franchisee's business closure will not be considered abandonment if the closure is for a purpose approved by Hydrodog or due to casualty or government order. However, if a Hydrodog business is closed for five or more consecutive business days without Hydrodog's approval or not due to casualty or government order, it will be considered abandonment.

This means a Hydrodog franchisee must obtain explicit approval from Hydrodog for any planned closure of five or more consecutive business days to avoid being in breach of the franchise agreement. Acceptable reasons for closure, outside of approved purposes, are limited to events like a natural disaster ('casualty') or a mandate from a government entity.

The franchisee bears the risk of unapproved closures. If a Hydrodog franchisee closes their business without approval for longer than five days, Hydrodog has grounds to terminate the franchise agreement. This clause protects Hydrodog's brand and ensures consistent operation of its franchises.

It is important for prospective Hydrodog franchisees to understand this clause and maintain open communication with Hydrodog regarding any potential closures. Franchisees should seek written approval for any planned closures exceeding the five-day limit to protect their investment and avoid potential termination of their franchise agreement.