factual

Does the Mrcool FDD specify any financial penalties associated with defaulting on the Multi-Unit Development Agreement?

Mrcool Franchise · 2025 FDD

Answer from 2025 FDD Document

.1 TERM**

This Agreement will be for a term (the "Term") that commences as of the Effective Date and, unless earlier terminated by Franchisor, will automatically end on the earlier of (a) the last day of the calendar month that the final Development Center is required to be opened and operating under the Development Schedule, (b) the day the final Center is open, or (c) the date of termination of this Agreement pursuant to the terms of this Agreement. Upon expiration or termination of this Agreement for any reason, Franchisee will not have any rights within the Development Area other than territorial rights that may have been granted to Franchisee and maintained by Franchisee pursuant to the terms of any and/or each respective Franchise Agreement. The Term may not be renewed or extended.

3.2 TERMINATION BY FRANCHISOR

Franchisor possesses the right, at Franchisor's option, to terminate this Agreement and all rights granted to Franchisee hereunder, without affording Franchisee with any opportunity to cure such default, effective upon written notice to Franchisee, or automatically upon the occurrence of any of the following events: (a) if Franchisee Abandons Franchisee's obligations under this Agreement; (b) if Franchisee for four consecutive months, or any shorter period that indicates an intent by Franchisee to discontinue Franchisee's development of Centers within the Development Area; (c) if Franchisee becomes insolvent or is adjudicated bankrupt, or if any action is taken by Franchisee, or by others against the Franchisee, under any insolvency, bankruptcy or reorganization act, or if Franchisee makes an assignment for the benefit or creditors or a receiver is appointed by the Franchisee; (d) if Franchisee fails to meet its development obligations under the Development Schedule for any single Development Period including, but not limited to, Franchisee's failure to establish, open and/or maintain the cumulative number of MRCOOL Centers in accordance with Development Schedule; and/or (e) in the event that any one Franchise Agreement is terminated respecting any Development Center and/or any other Franchise Agreement between Franchisor and Franchisee.

SECTION 4 DEVELOPMENT AREA FEE, INITIAL FEES AND DEVELOPMENT SCHEDULE

4.1 DEVELOPMENT AREA FEE

In exchange for the rights set forth and granted pursuant to the terms of this Agreement, upon execution of this Agreement, Franchisee shall pay to Franchisor a development area fee (the "Development Area Fee"). The Development Area Fee is not refundable.

The amount of the Development Area Fee is set forth in the Development Information Sheet.

Franchisee agrees that the Development Area Fee is not a franchise fee and, that at the time of signing each respective Franchise Agreement, Franchisee shall pay to Franchisor an initial franchise fee and all other fees in accordance with the terms and conditions of each respective Franchise Agreement, except that the initial franchise fee shall conform to the amounts set forth in Section 4.2 of this Agreement.

Source: Item 23 — RECEIPTS (FDD pages 55–263)

What This Means (2025 FDD)

According to Mrcool's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, defaulting on the Multi-Unit Development Agreement can lead to specific consequences. If a franchisee fails to meet their development obligations under the Development Schedule, including failing to establish, open, and/or maintain the cumulative number of Mrcool Centers, Mrcool has the right to terminate the agreement. Additionally, if any single Franchise Agreement is terminated respecting any Development Center or any other Franchise Agreement between Mrcool and the franchisee, Mrcool can terminate the Multi-Unit Development Agreement.

Furthermore, the FDD states that the Development Area Fee, paid upon execution of the agreement, is non-refundable. This means that if the agreement is terminated due to default or any other reason, the franchisee will not receive a refund of this fee. The amount of the Development Area Fee is set forth in the Development Information Sheet, which prospective franchisees should review carefully to understand the financial commitment involved.

In addition to the non-refundable Development Area Fee, the FDD mentions that the Development Center Initial Franchise Fee for each additional Development Center (over and above the First Development Center) is $0 (Waived), provided the franchisee is not in default of the Multi-Unit Development Agreement. This implies that if a franchisee defaults, they may lose the benefit of having the initial franchise fee waived for subsequent development centers. The initial franchise fee for the First Development Center is $50,000, payable upon execution of the applicable Franchise Agreement. Therefore, maintaining compliance with the Multi-Unit Development Agreement is crucial to avoid potential financial repercussions and maintain the benefits offered by Mrcool.

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.