Does Zoomin Groomin have the right to establish a Zoomin Groomin franchised business outside of a franchisee's territory?
Zoomin_Groomin Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
. A year will include each fiscal year (including any partial year) ending on December 31.
1.7.Dual Distribution
A. Protected Territory
You will not receive an exclusive territory. You may face competition from other franchisees, from outlets that we own, or from other channels of distribution or competitive brands that we control. However, you will receive a protected territory, meaning a geographical area within which we promise not to establish a Zoomin Groomin company owned or franchised outlet. You may not accept orders from consumers to provide Services 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 approval as provided in Section 1.3 (C) of this Agreement.
B. Limitations on Exclusivity
Your right to exclusivity is limited by our Reserved Rights under Section 1.1. (E) of this Agreement and this Section 1.7. You may also face competition from other franchisees, outlets that we own, other channels of distribution or competitive brands that we control for a Client that resides in your Territory.
C. Other Brands
We or an affiliate may make sales within your Territory using trademarks different from the ones you will use under this Agreement. As of the Effective Date, we and our parent plan to establish (or acquire) and operate or franchise a business under a different trademark which will sell goods or services similar to those you will offer. Under this plan, franchisees will offer pet grooming services through brick-and-mortar locations under a different trademark.
Source: Item 9 — 01. Financial Statements and Exhibits. (FDD pages 68–156)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Zoomin Groomin's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, franchisees do not receive an exclusive territory. Zoomin Groomin retains the right to establish company-owned or franchised outlets outside of a franchisee's protected territory. While franchisees receive a protected territory, Zoomin Groomin promises not to establish another Zoomin Groomin company-owned or franchised outlet within that specific area. However, franchisees may face competition from other franchisees, company-owned outlets, other distribution channels, or competitive brands controlled by Zoomin Groomin.
Zoomin Groomin or its affiliates can make sales within a franchisee's territory using different trademarks or distribution channels. For instance, Purely Pets LLC d/b/a Salty Dawg, an affiliate, offers brick-and-mortar pet grooming services under the Salty Dawg trademark. Zoomin Groomin may also acquire or develop additional competitive brands in the future, which can operate regardless of their proximity to a franchisee's protected territory.
Franchisees are prohibited from accepting orders or using other distribution channels to make sales outside their territory without prior written approval from Zoomin Groomin. Operating outside of the assigned territory without permission can lead to termination of the franchise agreement. If a franchisee operates in another franchisee's territory without permission, they must remit 100% of all grooming and convenience fees charged to the franchisee who owns that territory.