Which provisions of the Learningrx agreement remain enforceable after termination?
Learningrx Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
ce or on more favorable terms than disclosed to Franchisor in writing. Such transfer remains subject to Franchisor's prior written approval and other conditions specified in this Agreement. If Franchisor does not transfer the franchised Business to the transferee on the same terms offered to Franchisor, then Franchisee must again extend the right of first refusal to Franchisor in the manner described above, before another desired transfer.
15. GENERAL PROVISIONS
15.1 Covenants Not to Compete. During the term of this Agreement and for two (2) years after termination, transfer, or expiration of this Agreement for any reason, Franchisee agrees that neither Franchisee, nor any manager of Franchisee, any person associated with Franchisee, including officers, directors, shareholders, partners, members, trustees, employees or agents, and any members of Franchisee's immediate families (collectively "Franchisee Affiliates"), will (i) have any direct or indirect controlling interest as a legal or beneficial owner in a Competitive Business (as hereinafter defined); (ii) perform services as a director, partner, officer, manager, employee, consultant, representative, agent or otherwise for a Competitive Business; or (iii) divert or attempt to divert any business related to, or any customer or account of the LearningRx Training Center, Franchisee's Business, Franchisor's business, the business of any affiliate of Franchisor or any other franchisee licensed by Franchisor, by direct inducement or otherwise, or divert or attempt to divert the employment of any employee of Franchisor or another franchisee licensed by Franchisor, to any Competitive Business by any direct inducement or otherwise. During the term of this Agreement, this Covenant Not to Compete applies anywhere in the United States. For two (2) years after the termination, transfer, or expiration of this Agreement, for any reason, this Covenant Not to Compete applies: (a) within Franchisee's Territory; (b) within counties adjacent to Franchisee's Territory or within a Territory then operated by or under development by Franchisor or another franchisee of Franchisor; (c) within a fifty mile radius from the boundary of Franchisees Territory or from any other franchised or company-owned LearningRx Training Center, (d) on the Internet or (e) on any other Multi-Area Marketing channels used by Franchisor.
Franchisee acknowledges that, in addition to the license of the Marks hereunder, Franchisor has also licensed commercially valuable information which comprises and is a part of the System, including without limitation, proprietary processes, operations, marketing and related information and materials and that the value of this information derives not only from the time, effort and money which went into its compilation, but from the usage of the same by all franchisees of Franchisor. Accordingly, this covenant not to compete is given in part in consideration for the commercially valuable information described herein, training and access to Franchisor's Trade Secrets, and which, if used without permission, would give Franchisee an unfair advantage over Franchisor and Franchisor's franchisees and affiliates. Franchisee
acknowledges that it will be difficult or impossible to deliver learning enhancement services or cognitive or math and reading training services without using Franchisor's proprietary information and Trade Secrets and therefore in addition to the covenant not to compete found above, Franchisee agrees that Franchisee Affiliates will have the obligation of demonstrating and proving that any deliveries of learning enhancement services or cognitive or math and reading training services do not infringe on Franchisor's rights to its proprietary Information and Trade Secrets at a time when Franchisee no longer has any rights to that proprietary information or Trade Secrets.
The term "Competitive Business" as used in this Agreement will mean any business offering or granting franchises or licenses to others to provide: (i) learning enhancement courses, programs or products; (ii) brain training or cognitive training courses, programs or products; or (iii) math and reading training courses, programs, or products.
- 15.2 Stock Ownership. Nothing in this Section will prevent any active officer of Franchisee or member of Franchisee's family either individually or collectively, from owning not more than a total of five percent (5%) of the stock of any company, which is subject to the reporting requirements of Sections 11 or Subsection 14(d) of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934.
- 15.3 Independent Covenants. The parties agree that each of the foregoing covenants shall be construed as independent of any other covenant or provision of this Agreement.
Source: Item 23 — RECEIPT (FDD pages 54–209)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Learningrx's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, several provisions within the franchise agreement remain enforceable even after the agreement is terminated, transferred, or expires. One significant provision is the covenant not to compete. This covenant restricts the franchisee and their affiliates from engaging in any competitive business during the term of the agreement and for two years afterward.
Specifically, for two years post-termination, the franchisee is restricted from having a controlling interest in, performing services for, or diverting business from a competitive business within the franchisee's territory, adjacent counties, or within a 50-mile radius of any Learningrx center. This restriction also applies to online activities and multi-area marketing channels used by Learningrx. These covenants are designed to protect Learningrx's market and business interests by preventing former franchisees from using their knowledge and experience gained during the franchise term to compete against the brand shortly after their departure.
Additionally, the document states that each covenant within the agreement is considered independent. This means that the enforceability of one provision does not depend on the enforceability of any other provision. This ensures that even if some parts of the agreement are deemed unenforceable, the remaining clauses, such as the non-compete agreement, can still be upheld. The guarantee signed by the spouse of the franchisee to ensure the franchisee performs their obligations continues even after the franchisee's death, unless the spouse obtains an ownership interest in the franchise. These measures collectively aim to safeguard Learningrx's interests and maintain the integrity of its franchise network.