What sections of the Southern Steer Franchise Agreement outline the warranty and customer service requirements for franchisees?
Southern_Steer Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
Franchisee agrees, at all times, to give prompt, courteous, friendly, and efficient service to all current and prospective customers.
Franchisee agrees to adhere to the highest standards of honesty, integrity, fair dealing and ethical conduct when dealing with current and prospective customers, suppliers, Franchisor, Affiliates and the public.
Franchisor does not make any representations or warranties, express, implied or collateral, as to the potential success of Franchisee's Southern Steer Business and no one is authorized to make any such representations or warranties.
Franchisor makes no representations or warranties that the required minimum insurance is adequate to protect Franchisee and Franchisor.
Franchisee has not received or relied upon any warranty, representation or guarantee, expressed, collateral or implied, as to the potential volume, profits, Gross Revenues, income, estimates, projections, or success of the Southern Steer Business contemplated by this Agreement outside the franchise disclosure document.
Actual results will vary among franchisees and Franchisor cannot estimate the results of any particular Southern Steer Business.
Franchisee acknowledges that no approvals, consents, waivers, conditions, or the like by Franchisor are an endorsement by Franchisor or a warranty by Franchisor of the success of Franchisee's Southern Steer Business or the appropriateness of the particular items, persons, or matters so approved.
Source: Item 9 — ITEM. 9 FRANCHISEE'S OBLIGATIONS (FDD pages 24–25)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
Based on the 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, the Southern Steer Franchise Agreement does not explicitly outline warranty requirements for franchisees. However, Section 24.9 states that Southern Steer does not make any representations or warranties, express, implied, or collateral, as to the potential success of the franchisee's Southern Steer Business and no one is authorized to make any such representations or warranties. It also states that Southern Steer makes no representations or warranties that the required minimum insurance is adequate to protect the franchisee and Southern Steer. The document also states that the franchisee has not relied upon any warranty, representation, or guarantee, expressed, collateral, or implied, as to the potential volume, profits, Gross Revenues, income, estimates, projections, or success of the Southern Steer Business contemplated by this Agreement outside the franchise disclosure document. Actual results will vary among franchisees and Southern Steer cannot estimate the results of any particular Southern Steer Business. The franchisee acknowledges that no approvals, consents, waivers, conditions, or the like by Southern Steer are an endorsement by Southern Steer or a warranty by Southern Steer of the success of the franchisee's Southern Steer Business or the appropriateness of the particular items, persons, or matters so approved.
Regarding customer service, Section 9.4(c) of the Franchise Agreement states that the franchisee agrees, at all times, to give prompt, courteous, friendly, and efficient service to all current and prospective customers. The franchisee also agrees to adhere to the highest standards of honesty, integrity, fair dealing, and ethical conduct when dealing with current and prospective customers, suppliers, Southern Steer, Affiliates, and the public. Section 9.4(d) notes that the presentation of a uniform image to the public is an essential element of the System. The franchisee will maintain the image of the Southern Steer Business at all times in accordance with Southern Steer's standards and specifications.
In summary, while the Franchise Agreement emphasizes the importance of customer service standards and ethical conduct, it disclaims any warranties related to the success or financial performance of the franchise. A prospective franchisee should carefully consider these disclaimers and the required customer service standards before investing in a Southern Steer franchise. It would be prudent to seek clarification from Southern Steer regarding any implied warranties or support they provide to ensure customer satisfaction and operational consistency.