How does Zoomin Groomin define the geographic region of a territory?
Zoomin_Groomin Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
The Territory will be for a specific geographic region that we define by zip codes, natural, or political boundaries as set forth on Schedule 1 to the Franchise Agreement. A territory will have a minimum population of approximately 125,000 residents, as determined by the U.S. Census Bureau or mapping software that we feel is reliable. You must operate at least one (1) Vehicle in your Territory, but you may operate more if you desire to do so.
We do not grant you options, rights of first refusal, or similar rights to acquire additional franchises. You will receive an exclusive territory, meaning a geographic area within which we will not establish either a company-owned or franchised outlet selling the same or similar goods or services under the same or similar trademarks or service marks.
You may only operate your Outlet (the Vehicle) within your Territory. We may approve relocation of your Franchised Business if we feel that conditions have changed such that a relocation represents a sound business decision.
You and other franchisees may not accept orders from consumers outside of your Territory, nor may you use other channels of distribution, such as the Internet, catalog sales, telemarketing, or other direct marketing, to make sales outside your Territory, without our prior written permission. We may grant or deny permission in our sole judgment. In no event will you be permitted to offer Services to any Client within a developed territory owned by another unit franchisee. Should we grant permission for you to operate in an undeveloped neighboring territory, our permission will be freely revocable by us for any reason or no reason at all. Further, you will be required to immediately stop providing Services to any Client located outside of your Territory upon verbal or written notice from us that a new franchisee has purchased such territory, and you will provide a list of all customers previously served by you in such territory to the new franchisee.
Source: Item 12 — TERRITORY (FDD pages 32–34)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Zoomin Groomin's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, a franchisee's territory is defined as a specific geographic region determined by the company using zip codes, natural boundaries, or political boundaries. The territory will be outlined in Schedule 1 of the Franchise Agreement. Zoomin Groomin aims for each territory to contain a minimum population of approximately 125,000 residents, based on data from the U.S. Census Bureau or mapping software deemed reliable by Zoomin Groomin.
Zoomin Groomin grants franchisees an exclusive territory, meaning the company will not establish another company-owned or franchised outlet selling similar goods or services under the same trademarks within that area. The franchisee is restricted to operating their mobile unit (Vehicle) within their assigned territory and must operate at least one vehicle. Relocation of the franchised business may be approved by Zoomin Groomin if conditions change, making relocation a sound business decision.
Zoomin Groomin franchisees are prohibited from accepting orders from consumers outside their territory and from using other distribution channels like the Internet or telemarketing to make sales outside their territory without prior written permission from Zoomin Groomin. Permission to operate in an undeveloped neighboring territory can be revoked at any time, and if a new franchisee purchases that territory, the original franchisee must cease services to clients in that area and provide a customer list to the new franchisee. This ensures that each franchisee has a protected area to develop their business, but it also highlights the importance of understanding the territory boundaries and restrictions.
It is important to note that Zoomin Groomin, its parent company, and affiliates retain rights not expressly granted in the Franchise Agreement. This includes the right to use other channels of distribution, such as the Internet, to solicit customers within a franchisee's territory without compensation to the franchisee. They also reserve the right to implement cross-territorial protocols and operate similar businesses outside the franchisee's territory. These stipulations mean that while franchisees have an exclusive territory, Zoomin Groomin retains considerable flexibility in how it conducts business and expands its brand.