factual

What restrictive covenants and obligations must an Mrcool franchisee abide by and comply with, as outlined in the Franchise Agreement?

Mrcool Franchise · 2025 FDD

Answer from 2025 FDD Document

no circumstance is Franchisee entitled to withhold payments due to Franchisor under this Agreement. Among other things and without limitation to the foregoing, Franchisee expressly agrees that any claim by Franchisee as to the alleged non-performance of Franchisor's obligations shall not permit and/or entitle Franchisee to withhold payments due Franchisor under this Agreement.

ARTICLE 6 RESTRICTIVE COVENANTS AND OBLIGATIONS

6.A. NECESSITY FOR RESTRICTIVE COVENANTS

Franchisee agrees that only through the course of entering into this Agreement is Franchisee being provided with access to the System, Franchisor's training, use of the Licensed Marks and, access to the Operations Manual and Confidential Information. Franchisee agrees that competition by Franchisee, Owners, Spouses and/or Immediate Family Members could jeopardize the entire System and cause irreparable harm to Franchisor and franchisees of MRCOOL Centers. Accordingly, Franchisee and Franchisee's Owners and, Spouses agree to comply with the restrictive covenants set forth in this Article 6 and throughout this Agreement.

6.B. RESTRICTIVE COVENANTS: KNOW-HOW

Franchisee agrees that, at all times, both during the Term of this Agreement and, after its expiration or termination, Franchisee: (a) shall not use the Know-How in any business or capacity other than the operation of the Franchised Business pursuant to this Agreement and as instructed by Franchisor; (b) shall maintain the confidentiality of the Know-How at all times; (c) shall not make unauthorized copies of documents containing any Know-How; (d) shall take all reasonable steps that Franchisor requires from time to time to prevent unauthorized use or disclosure of the Know-How; and (e) shall stop using the Know-How immediately upon the expiration, termination or Transfer of this Agreement. Franchisee agrees that the foregoing covenants and obligations shall also apply to: (a) Franchisee's Owners and Spouses and, that Franchisee's Owners and Spouses shall each execute and deliver to Franchisor the Franchise Owner and Spouse Agreement and Guaranty in the form attached to this Agreement as Exhibit 1; and (b) Franchisee's directors, officers, employees and agents where disclosure of the Know-How was necessary for the operations of the Franchised Business and where such director, officer, employee and/or agent previously executed and timely delivered to Franchisor the Confidentiality Agreement in the form attached as Exhibit 2.

6.C. RESTRICTIVE COVENANTS: CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION

Franchisee agrees that, at all times, both during the Term of this Agreement and, after its expiration or termination, Franchisee: (a) shall not use the Confidential Information in any business or capacity other than the MRCOOL Center operated by Franchisee; (b) shall maintain the confidentiality of the Confidential Information at all times; (c) shall not make unauthorized copies of documents containing any Confidential Information; (d) shall take such reasonable steps as Franchisor may ask of Franchisee from time to time to prevent unauthorized use or disclosure of the Confidential Information; and (e) shall stop using the Confidential Information immediately upon the expiration, termination or Transfer of this Agreement. Franchisee agrees that the foregoing covenants and obligations shall also apply to: (a) Franchisee's Owners and Spouses and that Franchisee's Owners and Spouses shall each execute and deliver to Franchisor the

Franchise Owner and Spouse Agreement and Guaranty in the form attached to this Agreement as Exhibit 1; and (b) Franchisee's directors, officers, employees and agents where disclosure of the Confidential Information was necessary for the operations of the Franchised Business and where such director, officer, employee and/or agent previously executed and timely delivered to Franchisor the Confidentiality Agreement in the form attached as Exhibit 2.

6.D. RESTRICTIVE COVENANTS: UNFAIR COMPETITION AND IN-TERM NON-COMPETITION OBLIGATIONS

Franchisee agrees that during the Term of this Agreement, Franchisee shall not engage in the following activities (the "Prohibited Activities"): (a) owning and/or having any legal or equitable interest whether, as an individual proprietor, owner, partner, member or shareholder of a Corporate Entity, or, in any similar capacity, in a Competitive Business other than, owning an interest of 3% or less in a publicly traded company that is a Competitive Business; (b) operating, managing, funding and/or performing services whether, as an employee, officer, director, manager, consultant, representative, agent, and/or creditor or, in any similar capacity, for or benefitting a Competitive Business; (c) diverting or attempting to divert any business or customers from Franchisor or, one of Franchisor's affiliates or franchisees; (d) inducing any customer or client of Franchisor, Franchisor's affiliates, franchisees of the System, or, of Franchisee, to any other person or business that is not a MRCOOL Center; and/or (e) engaging in any actions, inactions, and/or activities in violation of Articles 6.B. and/or 6.C. of this Agreement (all, individually and, collectively, referred to as the "Prohibited Activities"). Franchisee agrees that if Franchisee were to engage in the Prohibited Activities that such actions would be unfair, would constitute unfair competition and, would cause harm to Franchisor, the System and other MRCOOL Center franchisees. Franchisee agrees that the foregoing covenants and obligations shall also apply to Franchisee's Owners and Spouses and that Franchisee's Owners and Spouses shall each execute and deliver to Franchisor the Franchise Owner and Spouse Agreement and Guaranty in the form attached to this Agreement as Exhibit 1.

**6.E.

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

What This Means (2025 FDD)

According to Mrcool's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, franchisees face several restrictive covenants and obligations, both during the term of the agreement and after its expiration or termination. These covenants are designed to protect Mrcool's know-how, confidential information, and competitive position in the market. Franchisees acknowledge that access to Mrcool's system, training, licensed marks, operations manual, and confidential information is contingent upon agreeing to these restrictions.

During the term of the agreement, Mrcool franchisees are prohibited from engaging in activities that would constitute unfair competition. This includes owning or having an interest in a competitive business (with a minor exception for owning 3% or less of a publicly traded company), operating or managing a competitive business, diverting customers from Mrcool, or violating specific articles within the agreement related to these restrictions. These obligations extend not only to the franchisee but also to their owners and spouses, who are required to sign a Franchise Owner and Spouse Agreement and Guaranty.

Post-termination, franchisees must continue to uphold certain restrictions, particularly regarding the use of Mrcool's know-how and confidential information. They cannot use this information in any business other than an Mrcool center, must maintain its confidentiality, and must cease using it immediately upon termination of the agreement. These obligations also apply to the franchisee's owners, spouses, directors, officers, employees, and agents who had access to the know-how and signed a confidentiality agreement.

Mrcool emphasizes the importance of these covenants, stating that failure to comply will cause irreparable harm to Mrcool and its other franchisees, entitling Mrcool to injunctive relief. Franchisees also agree that they are waiving the right to challenge the terms of the agreement as overly broad, unreasonable, or otherwise unenforceable. The agreement also states that under no circumstance is the franchisee entitled to withhold payments due to Mrcool under the agreement.

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.