Under what conditions can Ledgers operate a competing business under a different trademark?

According to Ledgers' 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, Ledgers, its parent, and its affiliates reserve all rights not expressly granted in the Franchise Agreement. This includes the right to operate or franchise a business under a different trademark, even if that business sells goods or services similar to those offered by Ledgers franchisees. This right extends to anywhere, meaning there are no geographical limitations on where Ledgers can operate such a business.

This clause in the franchise agreement means that a Ledgers franchisee could potentially face competition from a business operated or franchised by Ledgers itself under a different brand name. This could impact the franchisee's market share and profitability, as Ledgers is not restricted from entering the same market with a different brand.

While Ledgers states that it and its affiliates, except as stated in Item 12, have no plans to operate or franchise a business under a different trademark that offers or sells similar goods and services, the company retains the right to do so. Prospective franchisees should carefully consider this potential risk and evaluate how it might affect their business before investing in a Ledgers franchise.