Does the Mrcool Franchise Agreement require the franchisee to adhere to specific procedures?
Mrcool Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
Franchisor shall provide Franchisee with access to the Operations Manual. The Operations Manual contains, as designated and determined by Franchisor, mandatory and, as applicable, suggested specifications, standards and operating procedures that Franchisor prescribes for MRCOOL Centers. Franchisee shall operate the Franchised Business in strict accordance with the standards, specifications, and requirements set forth in the Operations Manual as, such standards, specifications, and requirements including, but not limited to, the Approved Services and Products, System Supplies, and, authorized and designated suppliers, as of the Effective Date of this Agreement, and, as they may be supplemented, modified, changed, and/or replaced in the future and, from time to time, by Franchisor, in Franchisor's Reasonable Business Judgment. Franchisee shall keep and maintain the confidentiality of the Operations Manual and, shall keep and maintain all files, data and information contained in the Operations Manual in a secure location and/or in a protected confidential state and, as otherwise directed by Franchisor. The master copy and official version of the Operations Manual is and shall be the copy and/or version maintained and designated by Franchisor in Franchisor's ordinary course of business.
Franchisor shall provide Franchisee with reasonable notice of modifications and changes made to the Operations Manual and, such notice may take form of electronic communications including emails and, if the Operations Manual is maintained on an online web based platform, notifications within said platform. Franchisor shall provide Franchisee with a reasonable period of time, as determined by Franchisor, in Franchisor's Reasonable Business Judgment, to implement change and modifications to the as set forth in the Operations Manual. Without limitation to the foregoing, Franchisee may only offer and sell the Approved Services and Products and utilize the System Supplies as designated by Franchisor, in Franchisor's Reasonable Business Judgment, in the Operations Manual and, in accordance with the terms, specifications and requirements set forth in the Operations Manual and as Franchisor may supplement and modify the Operations Manual from time to time or, as Franchisor may otherwise designate in writing.
Source: Item 23 — RECEIPTS (FDD pages 55–263)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Mrcool's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, franchisees must operate their franchised business in strict accordance with the standards, specifications, and requirements outlined in the Operations Manual. This manual contains mandatory and suggested operating procedures that Mrcool prescribes for its centers. These procedures cover various aspects of the business, including approved services and products, system supplies, and authorized suppliers, all as determined by Mrcool. The standards, specifications, and requirements are effective from the date of the Franchise Agreement and may be updated or modified by Mrcool in the future. Mrcool will provide franchisees with reasonable notice of any changes to the Operations Manual, potentially through electronic communications or online platform notifications, and will allow a reasonable period to implement these changes.
Franchisees are obligated to maintain the confidentiality of the Operations Manual and keep all related files, data, and information secure, as directed by Mrcool. The official version of the Operations Manual is the one maintained by Mrcool. Franchisees are limited to offering and selling only the approved services and products and using the system supplies designated by Mrcool in the Operations Manual, unless otherwise specified in writing by Mrcool.
Adherence to the Operations Manual and Mrcool's system standards is crucial for the successful operation of all Mrcool Centers and the overall system. This ensures consistency and quality across all franchised locations. Prospective franchisees should carefully review the Operations Manual and understand the extent to which Mrcool dictates the procedures and standards of the business, as strict compliance is a requirement of the Franchise Agreement.