What obligations does the agreement impose on individuals who sign it related to a Mrcool franchise?
Mrcool Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
The Managing Owner must possess, maintain and own not less than 25% of the equity and ownership interests in Franchisee.
At all times, the Managing Owner must manage the operations of the Franchised Business.
- "Operating Manager" refers to and means the Manager designated by Franchisee or Franchisee's Managing Owner, that is charged with the obligation and responsibility to supervise and manage (onsite at Franchisee's Center Facility) the day-to-day operations of the Franchised Business.
At all times, the Operating Manager must: (a) meet all of Franchisor's minimum training and brand quality control standards and criteria for managers as may be set forth in the Operations Manual; (b) successfully complete Franchisor's initial training program; (c) sign the Confidentiality Agreement; and (d) agree, in writing, to assume responsibility for the on-site management and supervision of the Franchised Business.
Franchisee agrees that Franchisee's failure and/or Franchisee's Owner(s) failure to comply with the restrictive covenants and obligations set forth in this Article 6 will cause irreparable harm to Franchisor and/or other MRCOOL Center franchisees for which there is no adequate remedy at law. Franchisee agrees that any violation of these Article 6 covenants and obligations by either Franchisee and/or any Owner(s) will entitle Franchisor to injunctive relief. Franchisee agrees that Franchisor may apply for such injunctive relief, without bond, but upon due notice, in addition to such further and other relief as may be available at equity or law, and the sole remedy of Franchisee, in the event of the entry of such injunction, will be the dissolution of such injunction, if warranted, upon a hearing duly held (all claims for damages by reason of the wrongful issuance of any such injunction being expressly waived hereby). If a court requires the filing of a bond notwithstanding the preceding sentence, the Franchisee and Franchisor agree that the amount of the bond shall not exceed $1,000. Franchisor's remedies under this Article 6.H. are not exclusive of any other, but may be combined with others under this Agreement, or at law or in equity, including injunctive relief, specific performance and recovery of monetary damages.
Franchisee agrees that with regard to the Franchised Business all customer lists and their contents and information represent Confidential Information and constitute an asset of Franchisor whether or not such information was supplied by Franchisor. During the Term of this Agreement and in connection with the development, establishment, marketing, promotion and operation of the Franchised Business, Franchisee shall disclose to Franchisor all of Franchisee's ideas, concepts, methods and products conceived or developed by Franchisee and Franchisee's affiliates, Owners, agents, and employees relating to the development and operation of MRCOOL Centers. Franchisee hereby assigns to Franchisor and Franchisee agrees to procure from Franchisee's Owners, affiliates and employees assignment of any such ideas,
- (4) The transferee shall be bound by all terms and conditions of this Agreement, and each owner of the transferee and their respective spouses shall personally execute the Franchise Owner and Spouse Agreement and Guaranty in the form attached to this Agreement as Exhibit 1.
Each owner of the transferee shall also be required to execute such further agreements designated by Franchisor whereby the proposed transferee assumes each and every obligation and responsibility of Franchisee as set forth in this Agreement;
(5) All obligations of Franchisee under this Agreement and the Ancillary Agreements shall be assumed by the transferee, each individual owner of transferee, and their respective spouses in a manner satisfactory to Franchisor;
(6) Franchisee, each Owner, and each Spouse must execute the General Release attached to this Agreement as Exhibit 8 releasing Franchisor, Franchisor's affiliates and Franchisor's past and present officers, directors, shareholders, members, partners, agents, representatives, independent contractors, servants and employees, of any and all claims against Franchisor for matters arising on, or before, the effective date of the Transfer;
(7) If the proposed Transfer includes or entails the Transfer of this Agreement, substantially all of the assets of the Franchised Business, a controlling interest in Franchisee, or is one of a series of Transfers which in the aggregate Transfers substantially all of the assets of the Franchised Business or a controlling interest in Franchisee, then, at the election of Franchisor and upon notice from Franchisor to Franchisee, the transferee may be required to execute (and/or, upon Franchisee's request, shall cause all interested parties to execute) for a term ending on the expiration date of the original Term of this Agreement, the then current standard form Franchise Agreement offered to new franchisees of MRCOOL Centers and any other agreements as Franchisor requires.
Such agreements shall supersede this Agreement and its associated agreement in all respects, and the terms of Franchisor's then current agreements may differ from the terms in this Agreement, provided that such agreements shall provide for the same Royalty Fee, Advertising Contributions, and all other financial or monetary obligations established in this Agreement;
Source: Item 23 — RECEIPTS (FDD pages 55–263)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Mrcool's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, several obligations are imposed on individuals associated with a Mrcool franchise. The Managing Owner must maintain at least 25% equity in the franchise and manage its operations. The Operating Manager, who supervises the day-to-day activities at the Mrcool Center facility, must meet Mrcool's training and quality control standards, complete the initial training program, sign a Confidentiality Agreement, and agree in writing to manage the Franchised Business on-site.
Franchisees must adhere to restrictive covenants, and any breach could result in irreparable harm to Mrcool and other franchisees, potentially leading to injunctive relief. Franchisees are also obligated to disclose to Mrcool any ideas, concepts, methods, or products they develop related to Mrcool Centers, assigning these innovations to Mrcool. Customer lists and related information are considered Confidential Information and assets of Mrcool, regardless of who supplied the information.
In the event of a transfer of the franchise, the transferee must be bound by all terms of the Franchise Agreement. Each owner of the transferee, along with their spouses, must execute a Franchise Owner and Spouse Agreement and Guaranty. They must also assume all obligations of the franchisee in a manner satisfactory to Mrcool. Furthermore, the franchisee, each owner, and each spouse must execute a General Release, releasing Mrcool from any claims arising before the transfer's effective date. If the transfer involves a significant portion of the business, Mrcool may require the transferee to execute Mrcool's then-current standard Franchise Agreement, which may have different terms, although it will maintain the same Royalty Fee, Advertising Contributions, and other financial obligations.
These stipulations ensure that Mrcool maintains control over its brand, protects its confidential information, and ensures consistency across all franchise locations. Prospective franchisees should carefully review these obligations to understand their responsibilities and potential liabilities under the Franchise Agreement.