What is the dependency between Ledgers requesting assistance with the lease and the franchisee's obligation to assist after termination of a Ledgers franchise?

According to Ledgers' 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, upon termination or expiration of the Franchise Agreement, including a sale of the Franchise Business, the franchisee has several obligations. One of these obligations is that, at Ledgers' option and upon their request, the franchisee must use their best efforts to assist in transferring the lease of the facility of their Franchised Business, whether it be through a new lease or assignment.

This means that if Ledgers requests assistance with the lease after the franchise agreement terminates, the franchisee is obligated to use their best efforts to help transfer the lease. This assistance could involve finding a new tenant, negotiating terms with the landlord, or formally assigning the lease to Ledgers or another party. The franchisee's obligation is contingent upon Ledgers exercising its option to request this assistance.

This clause ensures that Ledgers has the ability to maintain control over the location of the franchise even after an individual franchisee exits the system. It protects Ledgers' interests by allowing them to potentially continue operations at that location with a new franchisee or through a company-owned outlet. For a prospective franchisee, this means they may need to actively participate in the lease transfer process even after their business has closed, which could involve time and effort beyond the cessation of their operations.