What is the exclusive purpose for which a Punch King Fitness Cooperative will be organized?
Punch_King_Fitness Franchise · 2024 FDDAnswer from 2024 FDD Document
J. Regional Advertising Cooperatives
Franchisor may, at its discretion, designate any geographical area in which at least two Punch King Fitness Franchised Businesses are located for the purpose of establishing a local or regional marketing and advertising cooperative (Cooperative). Franchisee shall take appropriate steps to establish and participate in a Cooperative if required to do so by Franchisor. If a Cooperative for the geographical area in which the Franchised Business is located has already been established when Franchisee opens the Franchised Business, then Franchisee shall immediately become a member of the Cooperative under the terms of its governing documents. If a Cooperative for the geographical area in which the Franchised Business is located is established during the term of this Agreement, Franchisee shall immediately become a member of the Cooperative and take all steps necessary to become a member. In no event shall Franchisee be required to be a member of more than one Cooperative for the Franchised Business established under this Agreement. The following provisions apply to each Cooperative:
1. Each Cooperative will be organized and governed in a form and manner prescribed or approved by Franchisor in writing and will commence operations on a date specified by Franchisor. Any disputes arising between Franchisee on one side and other franchisees in the Cooperative or the Cooperative on the other side, will be resolved in accordance with the rules and procedures in the Cooperative's governing documents. Each member of a Cooperative, whether a Franchisor, an affiliate of Franchisor, or a
franchisee of Franchisor, will be entitled to one vote for each Franchised Business operated by the member in the geographical area for which the Cooperative is established.
Source: Item 22 — CONTRACTS (FDD pages 56–215)
What This Means (2024 FDD)
According to Punch King Fitness's 2024 Franchise Disclosure Document, regional advertising cooperatives may be established at the franchisor's discretion when at least two Punch King Fitness franchises are located in the same geographical area. Franchisees are required to participate in a cooperative if mandated by Punch King Fitness.
The cooperatives are intended to facilitate local or regional marketing and advertising efforts. Franchisees are obligated to take the necessary steps to become members of the cooperative. However, franchisees will not be required to be a member of more than one cooperative.
Each cooperative will be organized and governed in a manner prescribed or approved by Punch King Fitness in writing and will commence operations on a date specified by Punch King Fitness. Each member of a Cooperative, whether a Franchisor, an affiliate of Franchisor, or a franchisee of Franchisor, will be entitled to one vote for each Franchised Business operated by the member in the geographical area for which the Cooperative is established. Disputes among franchisees, or between a franchisee and the cooperative, will be resolved according to the cooperative's governing documents.