What sections of the Remax franchise agreement and Team Office Amendment detail the franchisee's compliance with standards, policies, and the operating manual?
Remax Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
[Item 8: Restrictions on Sources of Products and Services]
You will be required to operate the Office according to the mandatory elements of the RE/MAX System. The RE/MAX System contains mandatory elements and recommended practices that exist as a resource for franchisees to control the manner and means of their independently owned and operated franchise businesses. In addition to compliance with all of the mandatory terms of the franchise agreement, you will be required to strictly adhere to the other mandatory elements of the RE/MAX System, as set forth in the most current edition of the RE/MAX Brand Identity: Trademark and Graphic Standards or its successor and any supplemental brand standards that may be provided to you by REMAX, LLC, which are designed to protect the RE/MAX Marks, the goodwill they reflect, and the reputation of the RE/MAX network and which may be amended from time to time (collectively, the "Brand Standards Manual").
To protect the RE/MAX Marks and to facilitate your compliance with certain communication and reporting requirements, mandatory elements of the System regulate, among other things, the use of the RE/MAX Marks in signs, letterhead, business cards and other promotional materials and the use of specific computer hardware and software. (Franchise Agreement, Section 3.) REMAX, LLC has the right to change these mandatory elements periodically to protect or enhance the RE/MAX Marks and associated goodwill, or the reputation of the RE/MAX network. These changes will be communicated to you in the Office Materials (see Franchise Agreement - Subsection 8.B.), the Brand Standards Manual, or in other written or electronic communications.
[Item 22: Contracts]
B. SYSTEM STANDARDS AND OFFICE MATERIALS.
(1) Office Materials.
We or REMAX, LLC will issue to you during the Term of the Franchise one or more printed or electronic copies of office materials containing trademark, graphic and other standards, recommendations and other information relating to your obligations under this Agreement, your use of the RE/MAX Marks and the general operation of the Office ("Office Materials"). The entire contents of the Office Materials will remain confidential and the property of REMAX, LLC and must be returned to us upon transfer, expiration, or termination of this Agreement or upon Abandonment of the Office. REMAX, LLC will have the right to add to and otherwise modify the Office Materials from time to time, if deemed necessary to improve the standards of service or quality or the efficient operation of the Office, to protect or maintain the goodwill associated with the RE/MAX Marks or to meet competition. Such additions or modifications may be made by amendment or supplement to the Office Materials or by bulletins, notices or other written or electronic materials as REMAX, LLC may publish from time to time. No such addition or modification, however, shall alter your fundamental status and rights under this Agreement.
(2) You Control the Office.
You acknowledge and agree that the development and operation of the Office in accordance with the System, this Agreement and the Brand Standards is essential to preserve the reputation and high standards of quality and service of RE/MAX offices and the goodwill associated with the RE/MAX Marks. You further acknowledge and agree that the mandatory elements of the System contained in the Brand Standards Manual have been established for the purpose of preserving such reputation, standards and goodwill, but do not, and are not intended to, govern or control the day-to-day affairs, activities or business of the Office or the means and manner by which you conduct the operations of the Office, which shall always be your responsibility and subject to your discretion and control.
[Item 22: Contracts]
6. Team Office Shall Operate as a Branch; Compliance with State Real Estate Laws.
- A. The Team Office shall operate as a part of the main Office described in the Franchise Agreement (i.e., as a branch of the main Office operating under and as a part of the same ownership as the main Office) and, except as modified by this Amendment, shall comply with and be subject to all of the terms, conditions, provisions and restrictions of the Franchise Agreement as are applicable to the main Office, including without limitation, the Limited License governing the authorized Limited Use of the RE/MAX Marks specified in Section 4 of the Franchise Agreement as well as the same outside business and activities prohibitions specified in Sections 2 and 4 of the Franchise Agreement, and the payment of all fees required by Section 6 of the Franchise Agreement. For clarification, no other businesses of any kind may operate from or utilize the same office space, staff or equipment as that of the Team Office.
- B. The Team Office shall comply with and operate strictly in accordance with all state real estate licensing rules and regulations applicable to branch offices.
7. Compliance with Brand Standards Manual.
- A. Unless prohibited by a state or local ordinance, or the landlord of the Premises, the Team Office must have an exterior office sign that comports with the standards for depicting a team name on team office signage as set forth in the Brand Standards Manual.
- B. Telephone numbers and RE/MAX Formative Domain Names pertaining to the Team Office or Sales Associates with the Team Office shall be subject to the same strict compliance with the Brand Standards Manual and ownership and assignment requirements that are specified in the Franchise Agreement.
- C. The Team Office may have its own telephone number if permitted by state real estate licensing laws, but all "for sale" signs, business cards, forms, stationery, advertisements and other promotional or marketing materials used by the Team Office must clearly identify both the name of the main Office as well as the Team Name, and for all materials except "for sale" signs, state that the Team Office is a "branch office" of the main Office.
Source: Item 9 — FRANCHISEE'S OBLIGATIONS (FDD pages 53–56)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to the 2025 Remax Franchise Disclosure Document, several sections within the Franchise Agreement and Team Office Amendment outline the franchisee's obligations to comply with brand standards, policies, and the operating manual. Item 8 discusses the mandatory elements of the Remax System, requiring adherence to the Brand Standards Manual to protect the RE/MAX Marks, goodwill, and the network's reputation. Section 3 of the Franchise Agreement, referenced in Item 8, regulates the use of RE/MAX Marks in various materials and the use of specific computer hardware and software.
Item 22 details System Standards and Office Materials, stating that Remax or RE/MAX, LLC will provide office materials containing standards, recommendations, and other information related to the franchisee's obligations. Franchisees must acknowledge that operating in accordance with the System, the Franchise Agreement, and the Brand Standards is essential for maintaining the reputation and standards of Remax offices. The Brand Standards Manual's mandatory elements are designed to preserve this reputation and goodwill.
Regarding Team Offices, Section 6 of the Team Office Amendment stipulates that the Team Office must comply with all terms, conditions, provisions, and restrictions of the Franchise Agreement applicable to the main office. This includes adherence to the Limited License governing the use of RE/MAX Marks, prohibitions on outside business activities, and the payment of fees. Section 7 of the Team Office Amendment further requires compliance with the Brand Standards Manual for exterior office signs and telephone numbers. Section 7 also mandates that all marketing materials used by the Team Office clearly identify both the name of the main Office and the Team Name, and state that the Team Office is a "branch office" of the main Office.
These provisions collectively ensure that all Remax franchisees, including those operating Team Offices, maintain consistent brand standards and operational practices to uphold the reputation and goodwill associated with the RE/MAX brand. Prospective franchisees should carefully review these sections to understand their obligations and the potential consequences of non-compliance.