For how long after the termination of my Mr. Sandless franchise agreement am I restricted from participating in a competitive business?
Mr_Sandless Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
18.2 After the Term of This Agreement
18.2.1 For a period of two (2) years after the expiration (provided you have not entered into a successor franchise agreement), transfer or termination of this Agreement, regardless of the cause, neither you, your principals, nor any member of the immediate family of you or your principals may, directly or indirectly, for themselves or through, on behalf of, or in conjunction with any other person, partnership or corporation participate in any Competitive Business which includes sanding, dustless refinishing, screening and recoats, sandless refinishing, wood polishing, wood floor care, wood floor cleaning, floor maintenance, floor care, floor refinishing, and floor cleaning for tile, VCT, terrazzo, marmoleum, linoleum, vinyl, asphalt, rubber, laminates, concrete, slate, brick, stone, granite, grout sealing and coloring, ceramic floors, and cabinet refinishing, and exterior wood refinishing or any other services and/or products similar to those offered under the System.
18.2.2 For a period of two (2) years after the expiration, transfer or termination of this Agreement, regardless of the cause, neither you, your principals, nor any member of the immediate family of you or your principals may, directly or indirectly, for themselves or through, on behalf of, or in conjunction with any other person, partnership or corporation:
(i) Own, maintain, engage in, be employed by, or have any interest in any Competitive Business which includes sanding, dustless refinishing, screening and recoats, sandless refinishing, wood polishing, wood floor care, wood floor cleaning, floor maintenance, floor care, floor refinishing, and floor cleaning for tile, VCT, terrazzo, marmoleum, linoleum, vinyl, asphalt, rubber, laminates, concrete, slate, brick, stone, granite, grout sealing and coloring, ceramic floors, and cabinet refinishing, and exterior wood refinishing or any other services and/or products similar to those offered under the System within the Designated Territory; or within a radius of fifty (50) miles of any Mr.
Sandless Business in operation; or
Source: Item 22 — CONTRACTS (FDD page 42)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Mr. Sandless's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, after the termination, transfer, or expiration of the franchise agreement, you are restricted from participating in a competitive business for a period of two years. This restriction applies regardless of the cause of termination, transfer, or expiration, provided you have not entered into a successor franchise agreement with Mr. Sandless.
The definition of a competitive business includes services such as sanding, dustless refinishing, screening and recoats, sandless refinishing, wood polishing, wood floor care, wood floor cleaning, floor maintenance, floor care, floor refinishing, and floor cleaning for tile, and other similar services. This restriction extends not only to you but also to your principals and immediate family members.
This non-compete clause prevents you, your principals, or your immediate family from owning, maintaining, engaging in, or being employed by any competitive business within your designated territory or within a 50-mile radius of any Mr. Sandless business in operation. This clause is designed to protect Mr. Sandless's market and proprietary information by preventing former franchisees from directly competing with existing franchises or the franchisor itself.