Does the Pump It Up franchise agreement apply the non-compete restrictions to the franchisee's owners?
Pump_It_Up Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
ting Principal and all employees and any other person or entity you wish to disclose any Confidential Information to sign agreements, in a form acceptable to us, that they will maintain the confidentiality of the disclosed information. The agreements must identify us as a third-party beneficiary with the independent right to enforce the agreements.
B. Restrictions.
(1) You acknowledge and agree that: (a) pursuant to this Agreement, you will have access to the Confidential Information; (b) the System and the opportunities, associations and experience established by us and acquired by you under this Agreement are of substantial and material value; (c) in developing the System, we and our affiliates have made and continue to make substantial investments of time, technical and commercial research, and money; (d) we would be unable to adequately protect the System and the Confidential Information against unauthorized use or disclosure and would be unable to adequately encourage a free exchange of ideas and information among Pump It Up Businesses if our franchisees were permitted to hold interests in "Competing Businesses" (which are defined as (1) children's entertainment centers, or (2) recreation or entertainment businesses whose method of operation or trade dress is similar to that employed in the System); and (e) restrictions on your right to hold interests in, or perform services for, Competing Businesses will not be a hindrance to you. You and your owners expressly acknowledge that you possess skills and abilities of a general nature and have other opportunities for exploiting these skills outside of a Competing Business. Consequently, our enforcement of the restrictions contained in this Section will not deprive you of your personal goodwill or ability to earn a living.
- (2) You agree that, during the term of this Agreement and for the "Restrictive Period" (defined below) following the expiration or earlier termination of this Agreement, you and your owners, either directly or indirectly, for yourself, or through, on behalf of, or in conjunction with, any person, firm, partnership, corporation, limited liability company, or other entity, will not:
- (a) own, maintain, operate, engage in, franchise or license, advise, help, make loans to, or have any direct or indirect controlling or non-controlling interest as an owner (whether of record, beneficially, or otherwise) or be or perform services as a partner, director, officer, manager, employee, consultant, representative, or agent in any Competing Business; or
- (b) divert or attempt to divert, by direct or indirect inducement or otherwise, any actual or potential business, employee, agent or customer of any Pump It Up Business to a Competing Business.
- (3) For purposes of this Agreement, the term "Restrictive Period" shall be two years from the date the Franchise Agreement expires or is terminated; provided however, that if a court determines that such period is unenforceable, the Restrictive Period shall end one year from the date the Franchise Agreement expires or is terminated; provided however, that if a court determines that such period is unenforceable, the Restrictive Period shall end six months from the date the Franchise Agreement expires or is terminate.
- (4) During the term of this Agreement, there is no geographical limitation on the restrictions contained in this Section 18.B. During the Restrictive Period, these restrictions will apply at the Premises; within a 5-mile radius of the outer boundaries of the Protected Area; and within 5 miles of any other Pump It Up Business in operation or under construction on the later of: (i) the date of the termination or expiration of this Agreement; or (ii) the date on which all persons restricted by Section 18.B. begin to comply with Section 18.B.
Source: Item 23 — RECEIPTS (FDD pages 60–225)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Pump It Up's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, the non-compete restrictions do apply to the franchisee's owners. During the term of the Franchise Agreement and for a specified "Restrictive Period" after the agreement's expiration or termination, both the franchisee and their owners are restricted from engaging in or having an interest in "Competing Businesses." These restrictions apply directly or indirectly, whether for themselves or through another entity.
The term "Competing Businesses" is defined as children's entertainment centers or recreation/entertainment businesses with similar operations or trade dress to the Pump It Up system. The restrictions prevent franchisees and their owners from owning, operating, franchising, advising, or having any controlling or non-controlling interest in such businesses. They are also prohibited from performing services for a Competing Business as a partner, director, officer, manager, employee, consultant, representative, or agent.
These restrictions also prevent franchisees and their owners from diverting or attempting to divert any actual or potential business, employee, agent, or customer of any Pump It Up Business to a Competing Business. However, an exception exists for equity ownership of less than 2% in a Competing Business if its stock is publicly traded on a recognized U.S. stock exchange. The "Restrictive Period" is two years from the date the Franchise Agreement expires or is terminated, but this period may be reduced by a court if deemed unenforceable. If any restriction is deemed unenforceable due to its scope, the agreement states that it will be enforced to the fullest extent permissible under applicable laws.