factual

Where can I find the important provisions of the Ledgers franchise and related agreements?

Ledgers Franchise · 2025 FDD

Answer from 2025 FDD Document

hington Addendum applies for Washington franchisees.

Further, all representations requiring prospective franchisees to assent to a release, estoppel, or waiver of liability are not intended to nor shall they act as a release, estoppel or waiver of any liability incurred under the Maryland Franchise Registration and Disclosure Law.

EXHIBIT B-FRANCHISE AGREEMENT

SUMMARY PAGE 1. Franchisee Business Entity 2. Initial Franchise Fee $ 3. Territory Name 4. Opening Deadline 5. Principal Executive 6. Franchisee's Address 7. Outlet #

TABLE OF CONTENTS

  1. Scope 2 2. 3. Duties of Franchisor 4. anchisee 5. Property 6. ity 7. Transfer .15 8. Termination .17 9. Dispute Res olution .20 10. General .22 Schedu les Ç, Schedule 1 Schedule 2 Territory Automatic Bank Draft Authorization Ç, Schedule 3 Schedule 4 Schedule 5 Schedule 6 Telephone Number Assignment Lease Rider Release State Addenda to the Franchise Agreement

Franchise Agreement

Single Unit

This contract ("Agreement") is between Loyalty Business Services LLC d/b/a Ledgers ("Franchisor", "we", "us", or "our") and the entity and all Signators identified on the signature page, in your personal capacity, (collectively "Franchisee", "you", or "your").

Recitals

Ledgers has developed a system ("Franchise System") to deliver advisory, compliance, recordkeeping and tax services (collectively "Services"). The Franchise System utilizes prescribed marketing techniques and operating procedures to deliver outstanding service to businesses ("Clients").

We seek to identify and recruit candidates with the ability to deliver outstanding Client service in a defined Territory who are willing to own at least one Franchise Business. Franchisee seeks to use the Franchise System to profitably deliver an outstanding Client experience (collectively the "Services").

For mutual promises expressed in this Agreement, along with other valuable consideration, the receipt of which is acknowledged, Ledgers and Franchisee (collectively "the Parties") will be bound as follows:

Scope

1.1. Franchise Relationship

A. Grant of Franchise

Ledgers grants to you the right to operate a company ("Franchise Business") using our System and our Marks to deliver Services within the geographic boundaries identified in Schedule 1 (the "Territory") during the Term by and through the Franchisee Business Entity identified on the Summary Page and signature page of this Agreement (or as a sole proprietor or partnership if there is no business entity) and in conformity with the terms and conditions of this Agreement.

B. Independent Contractors.

Your relationship with us is that of an independent contractor. This Agreement does not create a partnership, joint venture, or any other entity between the Parties. Neither Party has a fiduciary duty or other special duty respect to the other Party. You are not a third-party beneficiary to any contract between us and any other franchisee.

C. Your Employees

As a separate Franchise Business, you have sole and exclusive control over your employees. Neither you nor your employees and agents may make a claim as employees or agents of us for any purpose

including participation in an employee benefit plan, stock option program, or workers compensation law.

D. No Unauthorized Commitments.

Similarly, you will not make any promises, guarantees or warrantees to any third party, that would create a binding obligation for us without our prior written consent.

1.2. Term and Renewal

A. Term.

This Agreement will commence upon its Effective Date and will last for a term of ten (10) years (the "Term").

B. Renewal and Subsequent Renewals.

Upon the completion of the Term, or a renewal Term as the case may be, if you are in compliance with this Agreement and meet other conditions for renewal, you may enter into a new contract, on the then-current form. We will not change material Terms including your Territory in your renewals. If you wish to renew this Agreement, you must:

    1. notify us in writing at least 90 days before the expiration of this Agreement;
    1. execute a general release of all claims you may have against us (See Schedule 6);
    1. pay any required renewal fee (if any);

1.3. Territory

You will receive a geographic area within which we promise not to establish either a companyowned or franchised outlet selling the same or similar goods or services under the same or similar trademarks or service Marks. A geographic area will normally include a population of 65,000 residents and at least 3,500 business as defined by our marketing programs, as determined by the U.S. Census Bureau, or other mapping data that we feel is reliable. Schedule 1 defines your "Territory" by zip codes, political, or geographic boundaries.

We offer an area representative franchise opportunity through its own franchise disclosure document. Area representatives find, solicit, and recruit prospective franchisees to operate a franchised business like yours. Area representatives may also support franchised business within their area representative territory through marketing and operating assistance. Your Territory may now, or in the future, be within an area representative's territory. We will provide you with contact information for the area representative with area representative rights in the Territory upon request (if applicable to you).

You may not provide Services to Clients outside of your Territory without our written permission. We may grant or deny permission in our sole judgment. In no event will you be permitted to offer Services to any Client within a territory owned by another unit franchisee. Should we grant permission, it will be freely revocable by us for any reason or no reason at all. Further, you must immediately stop providing Services to any Client located outside of your Territory immediately upon notice that a new franchisee has purchased such territory. Furthermore, if permission is granted, you must immediately stop providing Services to any such Client.

1.4. Facility

A. Initial Location

You must begin operations and be open for business no later than twelve (12) months from the Effective Date. You may operate your Ledgers office from your home provided that you maintain a virtual office to meet clients as required, or you can operate from a commercial office location within your Territory. If you fail to open within twelve (12) months of the Effective Date, then we can terminate without any refund to you.

B. Reserved

1.5. Additional Territories

We may grant you additional franchise territories if we feel you have the time, energy, capital, and management structure to be able to successfully open and operate more outlets. You do not have rights of first refusal, or similar rights to acquire additional territories.

Source: Item 17 — RENEWAL, TERMINATION, TRANSFER AND DISPUTE RESOLUTION (FDD pages 38–41)

What This Means (2025 FDD)

According to Ledgers' 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, the important provisions of the Ledgers franchise can be found within the Franchise Agreement, which is included as Exhibit B. The Franchise Agreement outlines the scope of the franchise relationship, including the grant of the franchise to operate a business using the Ledgers system and marks to deliver services within a defined territory for a term of ten years. It also specifies that the relationship between Ledgers and the franchisee is that of an independent contractor, with the franchisee having control over their employees.

The Franchise Agreement covers various aspects of the franchise operation, such as the duties of both Ledgers and the franchisee, property-related matters, transfer conditions, termination clauses, and dispute resolution processes. The agreement also includes several schedules that provide additional details, such as Schedule 1 defining the territory, Schedule 2 for automatic bank draft authorization, and state addenda to the Franchise Agreement.

Several general provisions are included in the Franchise Agreement, such as clauses regarding the entire agreement, modifications, third-party beneficiaries, survival of obligations after termination, and severability. It also specifies that Virginia law governs the agreement, except for claims governed by federal law, and sets the venue and jurisdiction for any claims in the state and federal court nearest to Ledgers' headquarters in Virginia Beach, Virginia. The agreement also includes a release of prior claims, excluding claims arising from representations in the Franchise Disclosure Document, and allows for execution in separate counterparts, including electronic signatures.

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.