FORM OF UFOOD® FRANCHISE AGREEMENT] (LOCATION) FRANCHISEE:
[FORM
OF UFOOD® FRANCHISE
AGREEMENT]
____________________________________
(LOCATION)
FRANCHISEE:
____________________________________
TABLE
OF CONTENTS
Page
|
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1.
|
INTRODUCTION
AND CERTAIN DEFINITIONS
|
1
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|
1.A.
|
INTRODUCTION
|
1
|
|
1.B.
|
DEFINITIONS
|
1
|
|
2.
|
GRANT
OF FRANCHISE
|
6
|
|
2.X.
|
XXXXX
OF FRANCHISE AND TERM
|
6
|
|
2.B.
|
TERRITORIAL
RIGHTS
|
6
|
|
2.C.
|
RIGHTS
RETAINED BY FRANCHISOR
|
6
|
|
2.D.
|
OWNERS'
GUARANTY
|
8
|
|
3.
|
SITE
SELECTION, DEVELOPMENT AND OPENING OF THE OUTLET
|
8
|
|
3.A.
|
SITE
SELECTION
|
8
|
|
3.B.
|
FINANCING
PLAN
|
9
|
|
3.C.
|
LEASE
OF APPROVED SITES
|
9
|
|
3.D.
|
OUTLET
DEVELOPMENT SPECIFICATIONS AND CONSTRUCTION PLANS
|
10
|
|
3.E.
|
DEVELOPMENT
OF THE OUTLET
|
11
|
|
3.F.
|
GENERAL
MANAGER AND OTHER MANAGEMENT PERSONNEL
|
12
|
|
3.G.
|
OPERATING
ASSETS
|
12
|
|
3.H.
|
COMPUTER
SYSTEM
|
12
|
|
3.I.
|
OUTLET
OPENING
|
13
|
|
3.J.
|
GRAND
OPENING MARKETING PROGRAM
|
14
|
|
3.K.
|
RELOCATION
OF THE OUTLET
|
14
|
|
4.
|
TRAINING
AND GUIDANCE
|
14
|
|
4.A.
|
TRAINING
|
14
|
|
4.B.
|
PRE-OPENING
TRAINING AT THE OUTLET
|
16
|
|
4.C.
|
ONGOING
GUIDANCE AND ASSISTANCE
|
16
|
|
4.D.
|
MANUALS
|
17
|
|
4.E.
|
DELEGATION
BY FRANCHISOR
|
17
|
|
5.
|
MARKS
|
17
|
|
5.A.
|
OWNERSHIP
AND GOODWILL OF MARKS
|
17
|
|
5.B.
|
LIMITATIONS
ON FRANCHISEE'S USE OF MARKS
|
18
|
|
5.C.
|
NOTIFICATION
OF INFRINGEMENTS AND CLAIMS
|
18
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|
5.D.
|
MODIFICATION
AND DISCONTINUANCE OF MARKS
|
18
|
|
5.E.
|
INDEMNIFICATION
FOR USE OF MARKS
|
19
|
|
6.
|
CONFIDENTIAL
INFORMATION AND INNOVATIONS
|
19
|
|
6.A.
|
CONFIDENTIAL
INFORMATION
|
19
|
|
6.B.
|
INNOVATIONS
|
21
|
i
TABLE
OF CONTENTS
(Continued)
Section
|
Page
|
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7.
|
EXCLUSIVE
RELATIONSHIP
|
22
|
|
8.
|
FEES
|
23
|
|
8.A.
|
INITIAL
FRANCHISE FEE
|
23
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|
8.B.
|
ROYALTY
FEE
|
23
|
|
8.C.
|
DEFINITIONS
|
23
|
|
8.D.
|
INTEREST
ON LATE PAYMENTS
|
24
|
|
8.E.
|
APPLICATION
OF PAYMENTS
|
24
|
|
8.F.
|
ELECTRONIC
FUNDS TRANSFER
|
25
|
|
9.
|
OUTLET
IMAGE AND OPERATION
|
25
|
|
9.A.
|
CONDITION
AND APPEARANCE OF THE OUTLET
|
25
|
|
9.B.
|
OUTLET
PRODUCTS AND SERVICES
|
26
|
|
9.C.
|
CATERING
SERVICE AND DELIVERY SERVICE
|
26
|
|
9.D.
|
APPROVED
PRODUCTS, DISTRIBUTORS AND SUPPLIERS
|
27
|
|
9.E.
|
COMPLIANCE
WITH SYSTEM STANDARDS
|
29
|
|
9.F.
|
COMPLIANCE
WITH LAWS AND GOOD BUSINESS PRACTICES
|
31
|
|
9.G.
|
MANAGEMENT
AND PERSONNEL OF THE OUTLET
|
32
|
|
9.H.
|
INSURANCE
|
32
|
|
9.I.
|
CREDIT
CARDS AND OTHER METHODS OF PAYMENT
|
33
|
|
9.J.
|
PRICING
|
33
|
|
10.
|
ADVERTISING,
MARKETING AND PROMOTION
|
33
|
|
10.A.
|
SYSTEMWIDE
ADVERTISING FUND
|
33
|
|
10.B.
|
ADVERTISING
BY FRANCHISEE
|
35
|
|
10.C.
|
REGIONAL/LOCAL
ADVERTISING COOPERATIVE
|
36
|
|
10.D.
|
CUSTOMER
LOYALTY PROGRAM
|
36
|
|
10.E.
|
PROMOTION
OF UFOOD LIFESTYLE GRILLE FRANCHISE SALES
|
37
|
|
10.F.
|
FRANCHISE
SYSTEM WEBSITE
|
37
|
|
11.
|
RECORDS,
REPORTS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
|
38
|
|
12.
|
INSPECTIONS
AND AUDITS
|
39
|
|
12.A.
|
FRANCHISOR'S
RIGHT TO INSPECT THE OUTLET
|
39
|
|
12.B.
|
FRANCHISOR'S
RIGHT TO AUDIT
|
40
|
|
13.
|
TRANSFER
|
40
|
|
13.A.
|
BY
FRANCHISOR
|
40
|
|
13.B.
|
NONTRANSFERABILITY
OF CERTAIN RIGHTS
|
40
|
|
13.C.
|
FRANCHISOR'S
RIGHT TO APPROVE TRANSFERS
|
41
|
|
13.D.
|
CONDITIONS
FOR APPROVAL OF TRANSFERS
|
42
|
|
13.E.
|
DEATH
OR INCAPACITY OF FRANCHISEE
|
44
|
|
13.F.
|
PUBLIC
OR PRIVATE OFFERING
|
44
|
|
13.G.
|
EFFECT
OF CONSENT TO TRANSFER
|
45
|
|
13.H.
|
FRANCHISOR'S
RIGHT OF FIRST REFUSAL
|
46
|
|
13.I.
|
OWNERSHIP
STRUCTURE
|
47
|
ii
TABLE
OF CONTENTS
(Continued)
Section
|
Page
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14.
|
GRANT
OF SUCCESSOR FRANCHISE
|
47
|
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14.A.
|
FRANCHISEE'S
RIGHT TO A SUCCESSOR FRANCHISE
|
47
|
|
14.B.
|
NOTICES
|
48
|
|
14.C.
|
SUCCESSOR
FRANCHISE AGREEMENT/RELEASES
|
48
|
|
15.
|
TERMINATION
OF AGREEMENT
|
49
|
|
15.A.
|
BY
FRANCHISEE
|
49
|
|
15.B.
|
BY
FRANCHISOR
|
49
|
|
15.C.
|
TERMINATION
OF CERTAIN RIGHTS OF FRANCHISEE
|
51
|
|
15.D.
|
ASSUMPTION
OF MANAGEMENT
|
52
|
|
15.E.
|
EFFECT
OF TERMINATION
|
53
|
|
16.
|
RIGHTS
AND OBLIGATIONS OF FRANCHISOR AND FRANCHISEE UPON TERMINATION
OR
EXPIRATION OF THE AGREEMENT
|
53
|
|
16.A.
|
PAYMENT
OF AMOUNTS OWED
|
53
|
|
16.X.
|
XXXXX
AND TRADE DRESS
|
53
|
|
16.C.
|
CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION
|
54
|
|
16.D.
|
COVENANT
NOT TO COMPETE
|
55
|
|
16.E.
|
CONTINUING
OBLIGATIONS
|
56
|
|
16.F.
|
FRANCHISOR'S
RIGHT TO PURCHASE ASSETS OF THE OUTLET
|
56
|
|
17.
|
RELATIONSHIP
OF THE PARTIES/INDEMNIFICATION
|
58
|
|
17.A.
|
INDEPENDENT
CONTRACTORS
|
58
|
|
17.B.
|
NO
LIABILITY FOR ACTS OF OTHER PARTY
|
58
|
|
17.C.
|
TAXES
|
58
|
|
17.D.
|
INDEMNIFICATION
OF FRANCHISOR
|
59
|
|
18.
|
GENERAL
PROVISIONS
|
59
|
|
18.A.
|
ARBITRATION
|
59
|
|
18.B.
|
SPECIFIC
ENFORCEMENT
|
61
|
|
18.C.
|
GOVERNING
LAW
|
61
|
|
18.D.
|
INJUNCTIVE
RELIEF
|
62
|
|
18.E.
|
CONSENT
TO JURISDICTION
|
62
|
|
18.F.
|
COSTS
AND ATTORNEYS' FEES
|
62
|
|
18.G.
|
WAIVER
OF PUNITIVE DAMAGES AND JURY TRIAL
|
62
|
|
18.H.
|
LIMITATION
OF CLAIMS
|
62
|
|
18.I.
|
ENTIRE
AGREEMENT
|
63
|
|
18.J.
|
NOTICES
|
63
|
|
18.K.
|
SEVERABILITY
AND SUBSTITUTION OF VALID PROVISIONS
|
64
|
|
18.L.
|
THIRD
PARTY BENEFICIARIES
|
65
|
|
18.M.
|
WAIVERS
|
65
|
|
18.N.
|
NO
WARRANTIES OR GUARANTEES
|
65
|
|
18.O.
|
FORCE
MAJEURE
|
65
|
|
18.P.
|
ASSIGNMENT
|
66
|
|
18.Q.
|
CONSTRUCTION
|
66
|
|
18.R.
|
COUNTERPARTS
|
66
|
iii
TABLE
OF CONTENTS
(Continued)
Section
|
Page
|
||
18.S.
|
CUMULATIVE
REMEDIES
|
66
|
|
18.T.
|
NO
WITHHOLDING OF PAYMENTS
|
66
|
|
18.U.
|
EXERCISE
OF BUSINESS JUDGMENT
|
66
|
|
18.V.
|
ELECTRONIC
MAIL
|
67
|
EXHIBITS
AND ATTACHMENTS
-
|
FRANCHISEE
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS AND REPRESENTATIONS STATEMENT
|
|
EXHIBIT B
|
-
|
IDENTITY
OF DEVELOPER AND DATE OF DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT
|
EXHIBIT C
|
-
|
OWNERS
|
EXHIBIT D
|
-
|
SITE,
FEES, TERRITORY
|
EXHIBIT E
|
-
|
GUARANTY
AND ASSUMPTION OF FRANCHISEE'S OBLIGATIONS
|
-
|
CONFIDENTIALITY
AND NON-COMPETE AGREEMENT
|
|
EXHIBIT G
|
-
|
COLLATERAL
ASSIGNMENT OF TELEPHONE NUMBERS AND
LISTINGS
|
iv
UFOOD®
FRANCHISE AGREEMENT
THIS
AGREEMENT is made and entered into as of this ______ day of
_______________, 200___ (the "Effective Date"), by and between
UFood Restaurant Group, Inc., a Nevada corporation
("Franchisor"), and "Franchisee":
________________________________
a
Principal
Address:
____________________________________________________________________
1.
|
INTRODUCTION
AND CERTAIN DEFINITIONS.
|
1.A. INTRODUCTION.
Franchisor
and certain related parties have designed and developed methods of
developing
and operating distinctive retail outlets offering food service featuring
low-fat, low-carbohydrate and low-calorie food items, selected beverages
and
nutritional products to the general public. Each of these outlets,
called a
"UFood
Outlet"
in this
Agreement (as defined more fully below), features the Marks (defined
below) and
utilizes distinctive business formats, specifications, employee selection
and
training programs, signs, equipment, layouts, systems, methods, procedures,
software, designs and marketing and advertising standards and formats,
all of
which Franchisor may improve, further develop and otherwise modify
from time to
time (all of which are together called the "System").
Franchisor has obtained the right to grant franchises and development
rights to
certain qualified parties to develop, own and operate UFood
Outlets.
Franchisee
has requested that Franchisor grant it a franchise to develop, own
and operate a
UFood Outlet in the Territory (defined below). Franchisor has approved
Franchisee's request subject to the terms and conditions of this
Agreement and
in reliance upon all of the representations made in Franchisee's
application,
other information provided by Franchisee and its Affiliates under
the
Development Agreement and during the application process, and the
representations of Franchisee in the Acknowledgments and Representations
Statement, a copy of which is attached hereto as Exhibit A,
which
shall be executed by Franchisee concurrently with this Agreement.
1.B. DEFINITIONS.
For
purposes of this Agreement, the terms listed below have the meanings
that follow
them. Other terms used in this Agreement are defined in the context
in which
they occur.
"Affiliate"
–
With respect to
any Person, a Person which, directly or indirectly, through one or
more
intermediaries, controls or is controlled by, or is under common
control with,
the Person specified. For all purposes hereof, the term "control"
means
the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or
to cause the
direction of the management and policies of any Person, or the power
to veto
major policy decisions of any Person, whether through the ownership
of voting
securities by contract, or otherwise.
"Anti-Terrorism
Law"
- As
defined in Section 9.F.
"Catering
Services"
–
The
delivery of food and/or beverage products which are prepared or partially
prepared at the Outlet and delivered to customers at locations other
than the
Site, where, in addition to the delivery of such products, Franchisee
provides
ancillary services (such as setting up for, serving or otherwise
distributing
such food and beverage products) at such locations.
"Competitive
Business"
- A
business or enterprise, other than a UFood Outlet operated by Franchisor,
by an
Affiliate of Franchisor or pursuant to a valid franchise agreement
with
Franchisor or one of its Affiliates, that:
(1) derives
twenty-five percent (25%) or more of its total revenue from the sale
of food
items and/or beverages that are marketed as low-fat, low-carbohydrate
or
low-calorie;
(2) derives
five percent (5%) or more of its total revenue from the sale of nutritional
products; or
(3) grants
or
has granted franchises or licenses, or establishes or has established
joint
ventures, for the development and/or operation of one or more businesses
or
enterprises of a type described in either clause (1) or (2),
above.
"Computer
System"
- Those
brands, types, makes, and/or models of communications and computer
systems,
hardware and peripheral equipment specified or required by Franchisor
for use
by, between, or among UFood Outlets, including: (1) back office and point
of sale systems, data, audio, video, and voice storage, retrieval,
and
transmission systems for use at the Outlet, between or among UFood
Outlets, and
between and among the Outlet and Franchisor and/or Franchisee; (2) security
systems; (3) monitors, modems and printers; and (4) archival and
back-up systems.
"Confidential
Information"
–
As
defined in Section 6.
"Construction
Plans"
–
As
defined in Section 3.D.
"Controlling
Interest"
–
If
Franchisee is a:
(1) corporation
or limited liability company, "Controlling Interest" shall mean such
number of
the voting shares or membership interests, as applicable, of Franchisee
or such
other rights as (a) shall permit voting control of Franchisee on any issue
and (b) shall prevent any other person, group, combination, or entity from
blocking voting control on any issue or exercising any veto power;
(2) general
partnership, "Controlling Interest" shall mean a managing partnership
interest,
or such percentage of the general partnership interests in Franchisee
or such
other rights as (a) shall permit determination of the outcome on any issue
and (b) shall prevent any other person, group, combination, or entity from
blocking voting control on any issue or exercising any veto power;
and
2
(3) limited
partnership, "Controlling Interest" shall mean a general partnership
interest,
such percentage of limited partnership interests or such other rights
as shall
permit the replacement or removal of any general partner.
"Delivery
Services"
–
The
delivery of food and beverage products that are fully prepared at
the Outlet and
ready for consumption to customers at locations other than the Site,
where
Franchisee provides no ancillary services (such as setting up for,
serving or
otherwise distributing such food and beverage products) at such
locations.
"Development
Agreement"
–
If
applicable, the UFood Area Development Agreement executed by Franchisor
and
"Developer" (as defined therein), dated as of the date stated in
Exhibit B
attached
hereto, pursuant to which Developer and its Controlled Affiliates
(as defined in
the Development Agreement) were granted the right to develop UFood
Outlets in
the geographic area specified in such agreement.
"Development
Specifications"
–
As
defined in Section 3.D.
"Effective
Date"
–
As
defined in the introductory paragraph of this Agreement.
"F&B
Gross Receipts"
–
As
defined in Section 8.C.
"Financing
Plan"
–
As
defined in Section 3.B.
"Franchisee"
–
As
defined in the introductory paragraph of this Agreement.
"Franchisor"
–
As
defined in the introductory paragraph of this Agreement.
"Franchisor
Indemnified Parties"
–
Franchisor, its Affiliates, and its and their owners, officers, directors,
agents, employees, representatives, successors and assigns.
"General
Manager"
–
As
defined in Section 3.F.
"UFood
Outlet"
- A
combination restaurant/retail store that
(1) operates using the System and the Marks; and (2) is either
operated by Franchisor or its Affiliates or pursuant to a valid franchise
from
Franchisor.
"Gross
Receipts"
–
As
defined in Section 8.C.
"Guaranty"
–
As
defined in Section 2.D.
"Immediate
Family"
-
(1) The spouse of an individual; and (2) the natural and adoptive
parents and natural and adopted children and siblings of such individual
and
their spouses; and (3) the natural and adoptive parents and natural and
adopted children and siblings of the spouse of such individual.
3
"Initial
Franchise Fee"
–
As
defined in Section 8.A.
"Lease"–The
lease, sublease or other occupancy arrangement pursuant to which
Franchisee
occupies or will occupy the Site and the Outlet
in
the circumstance that Franchisee does not own the Site.
"Local
Marketing Spending Requirement"
–
As
defined in Section 10.B.
"Management
Personnel"
–
As
defined in Section 3.F.
"Managing
Owner"
–
As
defined in Section 9.G.
"Manuals"
–
Materials, which might include one or more handbooks, audio tapes,
video tapes,
computer diskettes, compact disks, and/or other written or intangible
materials,
and which may be made available to Franchisee by various means (including
access
through the Internet or through an intranet), all of which may be
modified,
added to, replaced and supplemented by Franchisor from time to time,
whether by
way of supplements, replacement pages, franchise bulletins, or other
official
pronouncements or means, that contain System Standards and other
information
concerning Franchisee's obligations under this Agreement.
"Marks"
- The
trademarks, service marks, logos and other commercial symbols that
Franchisor
authorizes for use to identify UFood Outlets and the products and
services they
offer, together with the Trade Dress; provided that such trademarks,
service
marks, logos, other commercial symbols, and the Trade Dress are subject
to
modification and discontinuance by Franchisor and may include additional
or
substitute trademarks, service marks, logos, commercial symbols and
trade dress
as provided in this Agreement.
"Nutritional
Products"
- Those
nutritional products that Franchisor periodically authorizes Franchisee
to offer
and sell from the Outlet. Those products may include, without limitation,
nutritional supplements, healthy snacks, energy drinks, vitamins,
meal
replacement bars, health-and nutrition-oriented books and magazines,
protein
powders and diet products.
"Nutritional
Products Gross Receipts"
–
As
defined in Section 8.C.
"Opening
Date"
- The
date that Franchisee opens the Outlet for business under the terms
of this
Agreement.
"Operating
Assets"
–
The
furniture, furnishings, and equipment (including Computer System
equipment,
kitchen equipment, Specified Software, decorations, signs, smallwares,
china,
uniforms, and similar supplies and items) used in connection with
the operation
of the Outlet pursuant to the terms and conditions of this
Agreement.
"Outlet"
–
The
UFood Outlet that Franchisee develops and operates pursuant to this
Agreement.
"Owner"
- Each
Person holding a direct or indirect, record or beneficial Ownership
Interest in
Franchisee and each Person who has other direct or indirect property
rights in
Franchisee, this Agreement, the Outlet or the right to receive all
or a portion
of Franchisee's or the Outlet's profits or losses or any capital
appreciation
relating to the Outlet.
4
"Ownership
Interests"
- In
relation to a: (1) corporation, the record or beneficial ownership of one
or more shares (regardless of class, preferences or voting rights,
if any) in,
or the right to receive any portion of the profits and/or losses
of, the
corporation; (2) limited liability company, the record or beneficial
ownership of a membership interest in, or the right to receive any
portion of
the profits and/or losses of, the limited liability company;
(3) partnership, the record or beneficial ownership of a general or limited
partnership interest; or (4) trust, the ownership of a beneficial interest
of such trust.
"Person"
–
An
individual, corporation, partnership, joint venture, association,
limited
liability company, trust, unincorporated association, other business
entity, or
governmental entity (or subdivision thereof).
“Proprietary
Products”
–
Those
food products, beverages and Nutritional Products that: (1) are prepared
according to our proprietary recipes and/or formulations; or (2) that are
marketed under the Marks or other brands that are proprietary to
us or our
Affiliates.
"Royalty
Fee"
–
As
defined in Section 8.B.
"Sample
Designs"
–
As
defined in Section 3.D.
"Site"
- The
location identified in Exhibit D
of this
Agreement. As used herein, the term "Site"
also
refers to the interior and exterior of the structure housing the
Outlet, the
parking lot and all other areas around the Outlet used in the operation
of
Franchisee's business.
"Site
Package"
–As
defined in Section
3.A.
"Specified
Software"
- Such
software programs, programming and services which Franchisor from
time to time
specifies or requires in connection with utilization of the Computer
System,
including any replacements, modifications, upgrades or updates thereto
which
Franchisor designates, and whether developed by, for, or on behalf
of
Franchisor, its Affiliate or an independent third party.
"Successor
Franchise"
–
As
defined in Section 14.A.
"System"
–
As
defined in Section 1.A.
"System
Standards"
–
Specifications, standards, policies and procedures that Franchisor
periodically
prescribes for UFood Outlets, including standards concerning brands,
types
and/or models of Operating Assets, Nutritional Products, food and
beverage
inventory, ingredients, supplies and other products and services
used in the
development and operation of a UFood Outlet, as they may be modified,
added to,
replaced and supplemented by Franchisor from time to time.
"System
Website"
–
As
defined in Section 10.D.
5
"Systemwide
Advertising Fund"
–
As
defined in Section 10.A.
"Territory"
- The
geographic area defined in Exhibit D
of this
Agreement.
"Trade
Dress"
- The
UFood Outlet design, decor, color scheme and image which Franchisor
authorizes
and requires for use in connection with the operation of the Outlet,
as it may
be revised and further developed by Franchisor or its Affiliates
from time to
time and as further described in the Manuals.
2.
|
GRANT
OF FRANCHISE.
|
2.X. XXXXX
OF FRANCHISE AND TERM.
Subject
to the provisions of this Agreement, Franchisor hereby grants to
Franchisee the
right, and Franchisee hereby accepts the obligation, to operate the
Outlet at
the Site, and to use the Marks and System in the operation thereof,
for a term
of fifteen (15) years commencing on the Effective Date. Termination
or
expiration of this Agreement shall constitute a termination or expiration
of the
franchise and any and all licenses granted herein.
Franchisee
acknowledges and agrees that its rights under this Agreement are
limited to the
operation of the Outlet at the Site, pursuant to and in compliance
with this
Agreement, and that Franchisee has no right to use the Marks in any
manner not
contemplated by this Agreement or to offer or sell Nutritional Products
or other
items bearing the Marks through any channel of distribution other
than the
Outlet. Franchisee will conduct no business or other activities other
than the
operation of the Outlet. Franchisee agrees that it will at all times
faithfully,
honestly and diligently perform its obligations hereunder, and that
it will
continuously exert its best efforts to promote and enhance the business
of the
Outlet and the goodwill of the Marks and to procure the greatest
sales volume
for the Outlet consistent with good service to the public and in
compliance with
the terms of this Agreement. Except as set forth in this Agreement,
Franchisee
shall not conduct the business of the Outlet from any location other
than the
Site.
2.B. TERRITORIAL
RIGHTS.
Except
as
otherwise provided in this Agreement, and provided that Franchisee
is in full
compliance with this Agreement, during the term of this Agreement
neither
Franchisor nor its Affiliates will operate, or grant a franchise
for the
operation of, a UFood Outlet, or any other retail establishment that
derives
twenty-five percent (25%) or more of its total revenue from the sale
of food
items and/or beverages that are marketed as low-fat and/or low-carbohydrate
or
low-calorie; or derives five percent (5%) or more of its total revenue
from the
sale of Nutritional Products and that is substantially associated
with the Marks
and is physically located within the Territory.
2.C. RIGHTS
RETAINED BY FRANCHISOR.
Subject
to the territorial rights expressly set forth in Section
2.B.
hereof,
during and after the term of this Agreement, Franchisor (on behalf
of itself,
its Affiliates and its designees) retains all rights with respect
to UFood
Outlets, the System, the Marks, and the marketing and sale of any
products and
services, anywhere in the world, including:
6
(1) the
right
to develop and operate, and grant rights to others to develop and
operate, UFood
Outlets and any similar or dissimilar businesses at any location
outside the
Territory (including on the border of the Territory), whether under
the Marks or
other trademarks or service marks, and on any terms Franchisor deems
appropriate;
(2) the
right
to operate and to grant others (including any person or entity related
in any
manner whatsoever to Franchisor) the right to operate food service
businesses
and/or retail outlets using the Marks or any other marks and using
the System or
any other system at such locations within and/or outside the Territory,
both
during and upon expiration or termination of the term of this Agreement,
and on
such terms and conditions as Franchisor, in its sole discretion,
deems
appropriate, including, without limitation, the right to operate
and grant
others the right to operate UFood Outlets at "Non Traditional Sites"
within and
outside the Territory on any terms and conditions Franchisor deems
appropriate.
"Non
Traditional Sites"
are
sites that generate customer traffic flow which is independent from
the general
customer traffic flow of the surrounding area, including, without
limitation,
military bases, shopping malls, airports, stadiums, industrial or
office
facilities, food courts, hotels, school campuses, train stations,
travel plazas,
toll roads, casinos, hospitals, and sports or entertainment venues.
(3) the
right
to develop and operate, and grant rights to others to develop and
operate, other
establishments under the Marks (other than UFood Outlets as provided
in
Section 2.B.
above)
or other trademarks or service marks, and on any terms and conditions
that
Franchisor deems appropriate, anywhere in the world (including within
the
Territory);
(4) the
right
to provide, and grant rights to others to provide, on any terms Franchisor
deems
appropriate, goods and services which are similar to, competitive
with or
complementary to those provided at UFood Outlets (including the Nutritional
Products), whether identified by the Marks or other trademarks or
service marks
and wherever located or operating (whether within or outside the
Territory),
through any distribution channels, including retail stores, a Website,
and
catalog/mail order sales;
(5) the
right
to be acquired (in whole or in part and regardless of the form of
transaction)
by a business providing products and services similar or dissimilar
to those
provided at UFood Outlets, or by another business, even if such business
operates, franchises and/or licenses Competitive Business within
the Territory;
and
(6) the
right
to acquire (in whole or in part and regardless of the form of transaction)
one
or more businesses providing products and services similar or dissimilar
to
those provided at UFood Outlets, and to franchise, license and create
other
arrangements of any type with respect to those businesses once acquired,
wherever these businesses (or the franchisees or licensees of those
businesses)
are located or operating.
7
2.D. OWNERS'
GUARANTY.
Franchisee
shall cause all Persons who are Owners as of the Effective Date and
who own
fifteen percent (15%) or more of the Ownership Interests in Franchisee
as of the
Effective Date, and each of their spouses, to execute and deliver
to Franchisor
concurrently with this Agreement, and all Persons who become Owners
thereafter,
and their spouses, to execute and deliver to Franchisor promptly
thereafter, the
form of Guaranty and Assumption of Franchisee's Obligations ("Guaranty")
attached hereto as Exhibit E
and the
Joinder of Owners at the end of this Agreement.
3.
|
SITE
SELECTION, DEVELOPMENT AND OPENING OF THE OUTLET.
|
3.A. SITE
SELECTION.
If
the
Site is not specified in Exhibit D
as of
the Effective Date, then within seventy (70) days after signing this
Agreement,
Franchisee shall submit to Franchisor a complete site approval request
package
and location feasibility analysis (a "Site
Package")
on
Franchisor's specified forms, containing such demographic, commercial,
economic,
and other information, photographs and collateral material as Franchisor
may
require, for the site at which Franchisee proposes and intends in
good faith to
establish and operate the Outlet and which Franchisee reasonably
believes to
conform to certain minimum site selection criteria established by
Franchisor
from time to time. In approving or disapproving any proposed site,
Franchisor
may consider such matters as it deems material from time to time,
which factors
may (but are not required to) include demographic characteristics,
traffic
patterns, parking, visibility, allowed signage, the predominant character
of the
neighborhood, competition from other businesses providing similar
products and
services within the area, the nature of other businesses in proximity
to the
site, and other commercial characteristics (including the purchase
price or
rental obligations and other lease terms for the proposed site) and
the size,
appearance, and other physical characteristics of the proposed
site.
Franchisor
will approve or disapprove sites by delivery of written notice to
Franchisee.
Franchisee will use commercially reasonable efforts to deliver such
notification
within twenty (20) days after receipt by Franchisor of a complete
Site Package
and other materials requested by Franchisor, but Franchisor's failure
to deliver
such notification within such twenty (20) day period shall not be
deemed an
approval of the proposed site. Franchisor shall have the sole right
to approve
or disapprove a site, and Franchisee acknowledges and agrees that
Franchisor
shall have no liability therefor.
Franchisee
acknowledges that Franchisor's approval of the Site and any information
communicated to Franchisee regarding proposed sites are not a representation
or
warranty of any kind, express or implied, of the suitability of the
Site for a
UFood Outlet or any other purpose. Franchisor's approval indicates
only that
Franchisor believes that the particular site meets, or that Franchisor
has
waived, the general site criteria which Franchisor has established
as of that
time. Applying criteria that have appeared effective for other sites
might not
accurately reflect the potential for all sites, and, after Franchisor
approves a
site, demographic and/or other factors included in or excluded from
Franchisor's
site criteria could change, thereby altering a site's potential.
The changeable
nature of these criteria is beyond Franchisor's control, and Franchisor
is not
responsible for the failure of a site which it has approved to meet
Franchisor's
or Franchisee's expectations.
8
3.B. FINANCING
PLAN.
Within
twenty (20) days after the execution of this Agreement, Franchisee
must submit a
written plan for Franchisee's funding of the development and operation
of the
Outlet, which plan shall be reasonably acceptable to Franchisor and
which shall
include details of the sources and terms of such funding and such
other
information or documents required by Franchisor from time to time
(the
"Financing
Plan").
Franchisee may not begin development of the Outlet until Franchisor
has given
its approval of such Financing Plan. Among other factors, Franchisor
may
consider Franchisee's debt/equity ratio and amount of indebtedness
in reviewing
such Financing Plan. Once a plan is approved by Franchisor, Franchisee
must
adopt it and adhere to it. Any proposed material deviation from or
modifications
to the originally-approved plan must be submitted to Franchisor for
prior
approval.
3.C. LEASE
OF APPROVED SITES.
Franchisee
shall obtain Franchisor's prior written approval of the Lease before
Franchisee
signs it (if Franchisee is not the fee simple owner of the Site and
Outlet
premises). After negotiating the Lease terms with the Site owner
or lessor, and
in any event within one hundred twenty (120)) days after the Effective
Date,
Franchisee shall present the ready-to-be-signed Lease to Franchisor
for its
review and approval. Franchisee shall ensure that such Lease includes
such lease
terms as Franchisor may require, including but not limited to:
(1) a
provision reserving to Franchisor the right to receive an assignment
of the
Lease upon termination or expiration of this Agreement;
(2) a
provision requiring the lessor to give to Franchisor all information
Franchisor
requests relating to the Outlet’s operation;
(3) a
provision requiring the lessor concurrently to send to Franchisor
a copy of any
written notice of a Lease default sent to Franchisee and granting
to Franchisor
the right (but without any obligation) to cure any Lease default
within fifteen
(15) business days after the expiration of any applicable cure period
(if
Franchisee fails to do so);
(4) a
provision evidencing Franchisee’s right to display the Marks in the manner that
Franchisor requires (subject only to applicable law);
(5) a
provision stating that the premises may be used only for the operation
of the
Outlet; and
(6) a
provision stating that the Lease may not be materially amended without
Franchisor’s prior written consent and that the lessor will deliver copies of
such modifications to Franchisor both when any modifications are
proposed and
when any amendments are signed.
9
After
receiving a copy of a proposed Lease in form for execution, Franchisor
shall
have the sole right to approve, approve with modifications or disapprove
such
proposed Lease, and Franchisee acknowledges and agrees that Franchisor
shall
have no liability therefor. Franchisor agrees to use commercially
reasonable
efforts to deliver such notification to Franchisee within ten (10)
business days
after receipt by Franchisor of the proposed Lease. Franchisee agrees
that it
will not execute a Lease without the prior written approval of Franchisor,
and
any such Lease shall contain the express condition precedent of Franchisor's
prior written approval thereof.
Franchisee
acknowledges that Franchisor's approval of the Lease is not a representation
or
warranty of any kind, express or implied, of the suitability of the
Lease.
Franchisor's approval indicates only that Franchisor believes that
the Lease
meets, or Franchisor has waived, the general criteria of acceptability
that
Franchisor has established as of that time.
Franchisee
shall deliver to Franchisor a copy of the fully signed Lease as previously
approved within fifteen (15) days after its full execution. Franchisee
further
agrees that it will not execute or agree to any modification of the
Lease which
would affect Franchisor's rights without the prior written approval
of
Franchisor. If Franchisee fails to obtain lawful possession of an
approved site
(through a signed and approved Lease) within sixty (60) days after
delivery of
Franchisor's approval of the site, Franchisor may withdraw approval
of such site
at any time thereafter.
3.D.
|
OUTLET
DEVELOPMENT SPECIFICATIONS AND CONSTRUCTION PLANS.
|
Following
Franchisor's approval of the Site and Lease Franchisor will furnish
to
Franchisee one or more sets of design plans for UFood Outlets developed
by
Franchisor or its Affiliates ("Sample
Designs").
The
Sample Designs are provided merely to provide guidance on the design
and layout
of other UFood Outlets. Franchisor makes no representation or warranty
concerning the suitability of the Sample Designs for the Site.
Franchisor
also will furnish to Franchisee specifications of Franchisor's requirements
for
decoration, layout, color scheme, image, Operating Assets, and the
Trade Dress
relating to the development of the Outlet (the "Development
Specifications").
Franchisee acknowledges and agrees that the Development Specifications,
which
include Trade Dress, are an integral part of the System and that
Franchisee will
design and construct the Outlet in accordance with the Development
Specifications. Franchisee will, at its sole expense, cause to be
prepared and
submit to Franchisor for approval the preliminary layout for the
Outlet and
detailed construction plans, specifications and space plans for the
Outlet (the
"Construction
Plans")
that
comply with the Development Specifications and all applicable ordinances,
building codes, permit requirements, and Lease requirements and restrictions.
Franchisee shall make such changes to the Construction Plans that
Franchisor
specifies. Franchisee shall make no changes to the approved Construction
Plans
unless such changes are presented to and approved by Franchisor.
10
Despite
Franchisor's providing the Sample Plans and Development Specifications,
any
changes and approval that Franchisor might provide for the Construction
Plans,
as between Franchisor (and its Affiliates) and Franchisee, Franchisee
is solely
responsible for complying with all laws, ordinances, rules and regulations
relating directly or indirectly to the construction and development
of the
Outlet, including the Americans with Disabilities Act and other laws
regarding
public accommodations for persons with disabilities. Franchisee is
solely
responsible, as between Franchisor (and its Affiliates) and Franchisee,
for any
and all claims, liabilities, costs and damages relating to noncompliance
or
alleged noncompliance with any such laws, ordinances, rules and regulations,
and
Franchisee must promptly remedy, at its expense, any such noncompliance
or
alleged noncompliance.
3.E. DEVELOPMENT
OF THE OUTLET.
Within
two hundred forty (240) days after the Effective Date, Franchisee
agrees at its
expense to do or cause to be done (to the extent not already done)
the
following:
(1) secure
all financing required to fully develop the Outlet in accordance
with this
Agreement;
(2) submit
the Construction Plans (and any revisions thereto) and preliminary
layout to
Franchisor for approval;
(3) obtain
all required zoning changes, planning consents, building, utility,
sign, health,
sanitation and business permits, licenses and approvals and any other
required
permits and licenses;
(4) construct
all required improvements in compliance with the Development Specifications
and
Construction Plans approved by Franchisor;
(5) decorate
and lay out the Outlet in compliance with the Development Specifications
and
other plans and specifications approved by Franchisor;
(6) (a) acquire
the Computer System for the Outlet and acquire the right to use,
for the entire
term of this Agreement, the Specified Software in the manner specified
by
Franchisor; (b) arrange for any and all support services that may be
necessary to enable the Computer System and Specified Software to
operate as
specified by Franchisor, whether from Franchisor, its Affiliate or
a third
party; and (c) take all other actions (including installation of electrical
wiring and cabling, and temperature and humidity controls) that may
be necessary
to prepare the Outlet to enable the Computer System and Specified
Software to
operate as specified by Franchisor;
(7) purchase
or lease and install (or have installed) all Operating Assets;
(8) purchase
an adequate opening inventory of Proprietary Products, food and beverage
inventory, ingredients, Nutritional Products and other products and
supplies
that Franchisor specifies for the development and operation of the
Outlet;
(9) obtain
all customary contractors' sworn statements and partial and final
waivers of
lien for construction, remodeling, decorating and installation services;
and
11
(10) open
the
Outlet for business and thereafter operate the Outlet on a regular
and
continuing basis for the term of this Agreement.
Franchisee
shall provide Franchisor periodic updates on the schedule and progress
for
constructing, developing and opening the Outlet.
3.F. GENERAL
MANAGER AND OTHER MANAGEMENT PERSONNEL.
At
least
sixty (60) days before the Outlet's anticipated Opening Date, Franchisee
shall
submit to Franchisor the identity and qualifications of the proposed
general
manager for the Outlet (the "General
Manager")
and
the identity and qualifications of the proposed assistant general
manager and
kitchen manager, (the General Manager and the assistant manager are
referred to
collectively as the "Management
Personnel"),
including curriculum vitae, work history, experience, references,
background
verifications and other information that Franchisor reasonably requests
on all
Management Personnel. Franchisee shall be solely responsible for
the hiring,
firing and personnel decisions, and the terms and conditions of employment,
relating to the Management Personnel and all other Outlet
personnel.
3.G. OPERATING
ASSETS.
Franchisee
agrees to use in the development and operation of the Outlet only
those brands,
types, makes and/or models of Operating Assets which meet Franchisor's
standards
and specifications. If Franchisor requires, Franchisee must purchase
approved
brands, types, makes and/or models of Operating Assets only from
suppliers
designated or approved by Franchisor, which may include or be limited
to
Franchisor and/or its Affiliates.
3.H. COMPUTER
SYSTEM.
Franchisee
agrees to use in the development and operation of the Outlet only
those brands,
types, makes and/or models of communications systems, hardware and
peripheral
equipment for the Computer System, and Specified Software which Franchisor
has
from time to time specified or required. Franchisor may periodically
modify
specifications for and components of the Computer System and Specified
Software
during the term of this Agreement. These requirements and modifications,
and/or
other technological developments or events, may require Franchisee
to purchase,
lease and/or license new or modified equipment, hardware and/or software
and to
obtain service and support for the Computer System and Specified
Software.
Although Franchisor cannot estimate the future costs of the Computer
System and
Specified Software, Franchisee agrees to incur the costs of obtaining
the
equipment, hardware and software (or additions or modifications)
and required
service or support. Franchisor has no obligation to reimburse Franchisee
for any
costs relating thereto. Within sixty (60) days after receiving notice
from
Franchisor, Franchisee agrees to obtain the new or modified components
of the
Computer System or Specified Software, as applicable, that Franchisor
designates
and ensure that it, as modified, is functioning properly.
12
Franchisor
may charge Franchisee reasonable fees if Franchisor develops or has
developed
(and, once developed, for supporting, modifying and enhancing) proprietary
software or other technology that Franchisor licenses to Franchisee,
products,
services and support relating to the Computer System maintenance
and support
services that Franchisor or its Affiliates provide to Franchisee.
Franchisee
agrees to sign any software license agreement or similar document
that
Franchisor or its Affiliates prescribe to regulate Franchisee's use
of, and
Franchisor's and Franchisee's respective rights and responsibilities
with
respect to, any software, other technology or maintenance or support
services
that Franchisor or its Affiliates periodically provide.
Notwithstanding
the fact that Franchisee must buy, use and maintain the Computer
System and
Specified Software under Franchisor's standards and specifications,
and
notwithstanding any software, other technology or maintenance or
support
services that Franchisor or its Affiliates might periodically provide
to
Franchisee, Franchisee will have sole and complete responsibility
for:
(1) the acquisition, operation, maintenance and upgrading of the Computer
System and Specified Software; (2) the manner in which Franchisee's
Computer System interfaces with Franchisor's equipment and that of
third
parties; and (3) any and all consequences that may arise if the Computer
System is not properly operated, maintained and upgraded or if the
Computer
System fails to operate on a continuous basis or as expected by Franchisor
or
Franchisee.
3.I. OUTLET
OPENING.
Franchisee
agrees not to open the Outlet for business until:
(1) Franchisor
notifies Franchisee in writing that all of Franchisee's pre-opening
obligations
under this Agreement have been fulfilled;
(2) pre-opening
training of the General Manager and the assistant manager (and, if
applicable,
the Managing Owner) has been completed to Franchisor's satisfaction;
(3) all
amounts then due to Franchisor and its Affiliates have been paid
and all
required Guaranties and other agreements are executed and delivered
to
Franchisor; and
(4) Franchisor
has been furnished with copies of all insurance policies required
pursuant to
this Agreement, or such other evidence of insurance coverage and
payment of
premiums as Franchisor requests.
Franchisee
agrees to comply with these conditions and to be prepared to open
the Outlet for
business within the appropriate time period specified in Section 3.E.
above.
Franchisor's determination that Franchisee has met all of Franchisor's
pre-opening requirements shall not constitute a waiver of non-compliance
by
Franchisee or of Franchisor's right to demand full compliance with
such
requirements. Franchisee further agrees to open the Outlet for business
and
commence conduct of business at the Outlet pursuant to this Agreement
within
five (5) days after Franchisor gives notice to Franchisee stating
that the
Outlet is ready for opening.
13
3.J. GRAND
OPENING MARKETING PROGRAM.
Unless
there is an operating UFood Outlet at the Site being purchased by
Franchisee,
Franchisee shall conduct a grand opening advertising, marketing and
promotional
program for the Outlet to commence approximately 30 days after the
opening of
the Outlet during the period commencing no less than seven (7) days
prior to,
and ending seven (7) days after, to last for approximately two weeks,
and to
expend no less than Fifteen Thousand Dollars ($15,000) on such advertising,
marketing and promotion during such period. Such program shall:
(1) be
in
addition to advertising, marketing and promotion conducted pursuant
to
Section 10
of this
Agreement and shall not count towards the Local Marketing Spending
Requirement;
(2) utilize
only those advertising, marketing and public relations programs,
firms, media
and materials approved by Franchisor; and
(3) be
conducted in accordance with Franchisor's specifications and standards
and
pursuant to a grand opening plan which Franchisee shall prepare and
submit to
Franchisor for approval at least twenty-one (21) days prior to the
Outlet's
Opening Date. If Franchisee does not prepare a grand opening program
and obtain
Franchisor's approval of such plan, Franchisor may (but need not)
prepare and
execute the grand opening plan for the Outlet at Franchisee's
expense.
3.K. RELOCATION
OF THE OUTLET.
If
the
Lease expires or terminates without fault of Franchisee, if the Site
is
destroyed, condemned or otherwise rendered unusable as a UFood Outlet
in
accordance with this Agreement, or if, in the judgment of Franchisor
and
Franchisee, there is a change in the character of the location of
the Site
sufficiently detrimental to its business potential to warrant the
Outlet's
relocation, Franchisor will not unreasonably withhold permission
for relocation
of the Outlet to a site within the Territory which meets Franchisor's
then
current site criteria. Any such relocation shall be at Franchisee's
sole
expense. Franchisee shall seek and obtain Franchisor's approval of
the
replacement site and lease pursuant to Franchisor's then current
site approval
process, and the Outlet shall re-open at the replacement site as
soon as
reasonably practicable but in no event more than one hundred eighty
(180) days
after the closing of the original location. Franchisee shall not
relocate the
Outlet except pursuant to this Subsection.
4.
|
TRAINING
AND GUIDANCE.
|
4.A. TRAINING.
Prior
to
the commencement of the operation of the Outlet, the Management Personnel
must
attend and complete to Franchisor's satisfaction Franchisor's initial
management
training program in the operation of a UFood Outlet. Each Outlet
must have a
minimum of one General Manager, one assistant manager and one kitchen
manager,
all of whom must be certified by Franchisor as having successfully
completed
initial management training. If the Outlet is the first UFood Outlet
operated by
Franchisee, the Managing Owner must also complete the initial management
training program to Franchisor’s satisfaction.
14
If
Franchisee wishes to have additional personnel attend initial training,
Franchisee shall require Franchisor's consent and Franchisor may
impose a charge
for each additional person. Such initial training program may include
classroom
training, instruction at designated facilities and/or hands-on training
in an
operating UFood Outlet. The Management Personnel (and, if applicable,
the
Managing Owner) must complete all required initial training to Franchisor's
satisfaction at least three (3) weeks before the Opening Date.
Franchisor
may, as it deems necessary, require any or all of the Management
Personnel or
other supervisory employees at the Outlet to attend or participate
in updated,
additional or refresher training programs or conferences during the
term of this
Agreement, which might be administered via the Computer System. Franchisee
shall
pay Franchisor's reasonable fees for these programs. Franchisor also
may charge
for updated, additional or refresher training materials supplied
to Franchisee
or its personnel.
In
the
event that the General Manager ceases to hold such position at the
Outlet,
Franchisee shall have thirty (30) days in which to appoint a replacement
General
Manager, who is subject to Franchisor's approval pursuant to Section 3.F.
above
and must attend and complete to Franchisor's satisfaction the initial
management
training program that Franchisor designates promptly after appointment.
Franchisee must pay Franchisor's reasonable fees for training substitute
or
replacement managers. If Franchisor determines that the General Manager
has
failed to satisfactorily complete the initial management training
program or any
additional or refresher training program, Franchisee shall immediately
hire a
replacement General Manager and promptly arrange for such person
to complete the
initial management training program that Franchisor designates to
the
satisfaction of Franchisor.
Franchisee
shall be responsible for the travel, living and other expenses (including
local
transportation expenses) and compensation of the Management Personnel
and any
other agents or employees of Franchisee incurred in connection with
attendance
at training programs or conferences or work at UFood Outlets that
is part of
their training.
Franchisee
will cooperate with other franchisees of Franchisor and Franchisor's
Affiliates
by making available to such other franchisees, at the request of
Franchisor,
such facilities at the Outlet for the staff of such other franchisees
to gain
experience in the operation and management of UFood Outlets, all
as Franchisor
may reasonably require, provided that any out-of-pocket expense incurred
by
Franchisee as a result of so doing shall be borne by such other franchisee,
and
provided that such cooperation does not unreasonably interfere with
the proper
operation of the Outlet.
15
4.B. PRE-OPENING
TRAINING AT THE OUTLET.
Franchisor
will place (as Franchisor shall consider necessary or desirable)
staff of
Franchisor or its Affiliate in the Outlet for a period of five days
before and
five days after the Opening Date as Franchisor shall, in its sole
discretion,
consider necessary to help establish the proper operation of the
Outlet in
accordance with this Agreement and the Manuals, provided that if
Franchisor
determines that Franchisee needs such opening assistance for more
than ten (10)
days, Franchisee shall pay Franchisor for such assistance at Franchisor's
then
current per diem rates. Franchisor will pay salaries, taxes, benefits
and per
diem for Franchisor’s opening trainers for up to 10 days. Franchisee shall pay
for Franchisor’s trainers’ travel, hotel accommodations, and ground
transportation.
Franchisee
will cooperate fully, and require that its staff cooperate fully,
with the
personnel of Franchisor or its Affiliate in providing such
assistance.
4.C. ONGOING
GUIDANCE AND ASSISTANCE.
Franchisor
shall from time to time furnish reasonable guidance to Franchisee
with respect
to:
(1) methods,
specifications, standards and operating procedures utilized by UFood
Outlets and
any modifications thereof;
(2) purchasing
and leasing required or recommended Operating Assets, Nutritional
Products,
Proprietary Products, food and beverage inventory, ingredients, supplies
and
other materials;
(3) development
and implementation of local advertising, marketing and promotional
programs;
(4) general
operating and management procedures of UFood Outlets;
(5) establishing
and conducting employee training programs at the Outlet; and
(6) administrative,
bookkeeping and accounting procedures for UFood Outlets.
Such
guidance shall, in the discretion of Franchisor, be furnished in
the form of the
Manuals, bulletins, Franchisor's intranet, written materials, reports
and
recommendations, other materials and intangibles, refresher training
programs
and/or telephonic consultations or consultations at the offices of
Franchisor or
at the Outlet. If Franchisee requests that Franchisor provide special
or
additional guidance or training of Franchisee or Outlet personnel
or other
assistance in operating the Outlet, and Franchisor agrees, then Franchisee
shall
pay Franchisor's then applicable charges, including Franchisor's
per diem
charges and travel and living expenses for Franchisor personnel.
If
Franchisor determines that Franchisee’s operations at the Outlet are not in
compliance with System Standards, Franchisor may require that Franchisee’s
personnel obtain additional guidance, re-training or other assistance
from
Franchisor at the expense of Franchisee, to include but not be limited
to
Franchisor’s then current per diem charges and travel and living expenses for
Franchisor’s personnel.
16
4.D. MANUALS.
Franchisor
shall loan to Franchisee, for its sole use, one (1) set of the Manuals, as
they may be modified, added to, replaced or supplemented by Franchisor
from time
to time, whether by way of supplements, replacement pages, franchise
bulletins,
or other official pronouncements or means. Franchisor may modify
the Manuals
from time to time to reflect changes in the System Standards Franchisee
shall
keep its copy of the Manuals current by immediately inserting all
modified pages
or materials furnished by Franchisor. If Franchisee's copy of the
Manuals is
lost or stolen, Franchisee shall obtain a replacement copy at Franchisor's
then
applicable charge. Franchisee must promptly communicate all changes
to the
Manuals to its employees. In the event of a dispute about the contents
of the
Manuals, the master copies maintained by Franchisor at its principal
office
shall control. Franchisee acknowledges that the Manuals are part
of the
Confidential Information and will be used and protected
accordingly.
At
Franchisor's option, Franchisor may post the Manuals on an intranet
or a
restricted Website to which Franchisee and certain employees of Franchisee
designated by Franchisor will have access. If Franchisor does so,
Franchisee and
such employees must sign the agreement(s) that Franchisor periodically
specifies
pertaining to the use of such intranet or Website and must monitor
the Website
for any updates to the Manuals or System Standards. Any passwords
or other
digital identifications necessary to access the Manuals on such an
intranet or
Website are part of Confidential Information and will be used and
protected
accordingly.
4.E. DELEGATION
BY FRANCHISOR.
Franchisee
agrees that Franchisor shall have the right, from time to time, to
delegate the
performance of any portion or all of its obligations and duties under
this
Agreement to designees, whether they are Affiliates of Franchisor,
agents of
Franchisor or independent contractors with which Franchisor has contracted
to
provide such services.
5.
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MARKS.
|
5.A. OWNERSHIP
AND GOODWILL OF MARKS.
Franchisee's
right to use the Marks is derived only from this Agreement and is
limited to
Franchisee's operating the Outlet according to this Agreement and
all System
Standards Franchisor prescribes during its term. Franchisee's unauthorized
use
of the Marks is a breach of this Agreement and infringes Franchisor's
rights in
the Marks. Franchisee acknowledges and agrees that its use of the
Marks and any
goodwill established by that use are exclusively for Franchisor's
benefit and
that this Agreement does not confer any goodwill or other interest
in the Marks
upon Franchisee (other than the right to operate the Outlet under
this
Agreement). All provisions of this Agreement relating to the Marks
apply to any
additional proprietary trade and service marks Franchisor authorizes
Franchisee
to use. Franchisee may not at any time during or after this Agreement's
term
contest or assist any other Person in contesting the validity, or
Franchisor's
ownership, of the Marks.
17
5.B. LIMITATIONS
ON FRANCHISEE'S USE OF MARKS.
Franchisee
agrees to use the Marks as the Outlet's sole identification, except
that
Franchisee agrees to identify itself as the Outlet's independent
owner in the
manner Franchisor prescribes. Franchisee may not use any Xxxx (1) as part
of any corporate or legal business name, (2) with any prefix, suffix, or
other modifying words, terms, designs, or symbols (other than logos
Franchisor
has licensed to Franchisee pursuant to this Agreement), (3) in selling any
unauthorized services or products, (4) as part of any domain name,
homepage, electronic address, or otherwise in connection with a Website,
or
(5) in any other manner that Franchisor has not expressly authorized
in
writing.
Franchisee
agrees not to use any Xxxx in advertising the transfer, sale, or
other
disposition of the Outlet or an ownership interest in Franchisee
without
Franchisor's prior written consent, which will not be unreasonably
withheld.
Franchisee agrees to display the Marks prominently as Franchisor
prescribes at
the Outlet and on forms, advertising, supplies, and other materials
Franchisor
designates. Franchisee agrees to give the notices of trade and service
xxxx
registrations that Franchisor specifies and to obtain any fictitious
or assumed
name registrations required under applicable law.
5.C. NOTIFICATION
OF INFRINGEMENTS AND CLAIMS.
Franchisee
agrees to notify Franchisor immediately of any apparent infringement
or
challenge to Franchisee's use of any Xxxx, or of any Person's claim
of any
rights in any Xxxx, and not to communicate with any Person other
than
Franchisor, its attorneys, and Franchisee's attorneys, regarding
any
infringement, challenge, or claim. Franchisor may take the action
deemed
appropriate (including no action) and control exclusively any litigation,
U.S.
Patent and Trademark Office proceeding, or other administrative proceeding
arising from any infringement, challenge, or claim or otherwise concerning
any
Xxxx. Franchisee agrees to sign any documents and take any other
reasonable
action that, in Franchisor's judgment or in the opinion of its attorneys,
are
necessary or advisable to protect and maintain its interests in any
litigation
or Patent and Trademark Office or other proceeding or otherwise to
protect and
maintain its interests in the Marks. Franchisor will reimburse Franchisee
for
the costs of taking any action that Franchisor has asked Franchisee
to
take.
5.D. MODIFICATION
AND DISCONTINUANCE OF MARKS.
Franchisor
shall have the right to determine, in its sole discretion, whether
at any time
it is advisable to modify or discontinue using any Xxxx and/or to
use one or
more additional or substitute trade or service marks. Franchisee
agrees to
comply with Franchisor's directions within a reasonable time after
receiving
notice. Franchisor need not reimburse Franchisee for its direct expenses
of
changing the Outlet's signs, for any loss of revenue due to any modified
or
discontinued Xxxx, or for the expenses of promoting a modified or
substitute
trademark or service xxxx.
18
Franchisor's
rights in this Section 5.D.
apply to
any and all of the Marks (and any portion of any Xxxx) that it authorizes
Franchisee to use in this Agreement. Franchisor may exercise these
rights at any
time and for any reason, business or otherwise, that it thinks best.
Franchisee
acknowledges both Franchisor's right to take this action and its
obligation to
comply with its directions.
5.E. INDEMNIFICATION
FOR USE OF MARKS.
Franchisor
agrees to reimburse Franchisee for all damages and expenses that
Franchisee
incurs in any trademark infringement proceeding disputing Franchisee's
authorized use of any Xxxx under this Agreement if Franchisee has
timely
notified Franchisor of, and complies with Franchisor's directions
in responding
to, the proceeding. At Franchisor's option, it may defend and control
the
defense of any proceeding arising from Franchisee's use of any Xxxx
under this
Agreement.
6.
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CONFIDENTIAL
INFORMATION AND INNOVATIONS.
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6.A. CONFIDENTIAL
INFORMATION.
Franchisor
and its Affiliates, as applicable, possess and may further develop
and acquire
certain confidential and proprietary information and trade secrets
relating to
the System or the development or operation of UFood Outlets, including
the
following categories of information, methods, techniques, procedures
and
knowledge developed or to be developed by Franchisor, its consultants
or
contractors, its Affiliates or its designees, and/or franchisees
and developers
(the "Confidential
Information"):
(1) site
selection criteria;
(2) recipes
and related information concerning Proprietary Products and other
items offered
for sale by UFood Outlets;
(3) System
Standards and other methods, techniques, requirements, equipment,
recipes,
specifications (including Development Specifications), standards,
policies,
procedures, information, concepts and systems relating to, and knowledge
of and
experience in, the development, operation and franchising of UFood
Outlets;
(4) marketing
research and advertising, marketing and promotional programs for
UFood Outlets;
(5) knowledge
concerning the logic, structure and operation of Computer System
components and
Specified Software, and all additions, modifications and enhancements
thereof,
all data generated from use of the Computer System and Specified
Software, and
the logic, structure and operation of the database file structures
containing
such data and all additions, modifications and enhancements
thereof;
(6) specifications
for and knowledge of suppliers of Proprietary Products, Nutritional
Products,
certain Operating Assets, and other products and supplies used at
or sold from
UFood Outlets;
19
(7) information
concerning customers, customer lists, operating results, financial
performance
and other financial data of UFood Outlets (other than operating results,
financial performance and other financial data of the Outlet);
(8) the
Manuals;
(9) employee
selection procedures, training and staffing levels; and
(10) the
terms
and conditions of this Agreement and the Development Agreement.
Franchisor
will disclose to Franchisee such parts of the Confidential Information
as
Franchisor deems necessary or advisable from time to time for the
development
and operation of the Outlet, both during training and in guidance
and assistance
furnished to Franchisee during the term of this Agreement, and Franchisee
may
learn or otherwise obtain additional Confidential Information from
Franchisor,
its Affiliates, its franchisees, its developers and others during
the term of
this Agreement. Franchisee acknowledges and agrees that neither Franchisee
nor
any agent, representative or contractor of Franchisee will acquire
any interest
in or right to use the Confidential Information, other than Franchisee's
right
to utilize certain Confidential Information in the development and
operation of
the Outlet pursuant to this Agreement, and that the use or duplication
of the
Confidential Information in any other business would constitute an
unfair method
of competition with Franchisor and other UFood Outlet developers
and
franchisees. Franchisee agrees to disclose the Confidential Information
to its
Owners and to employees of the Outlet only to the extent reasonably
necessary
for the operation of the Outlet and only if such individuals have
agreed to
maintain such information in confidence in an agreement enforceable
by
Franchisor.
Franchisee
acknowledges and agrees that the Confidential Information is confidential
to and
a valuable asset of Franchisor, is proprietary, includes trade secrets
of
Franchisor, and is disclosed to Franchisee solely on the condition
that
Franchisee, its Owners and its employees who have access to the Confidential
Information agree, and Franchisee (on its and their behalf) does
hereby agree,
that, during and after the term of this Agreement, Franchisee, its
Owners and
such employees:
(a) will
not
use the Confidential Information in any other business or capacity;
(b) will
maintain the absolute secrecy and confidentiality of the Confidential
Information;
(c) will
not
make unauthorized copies of any portion of the Confidential Information
disclosed via electronic medium or in written or other tangible form;
and
(d) will
adopt and implement all reasonable procedures prescribed from time
to time by
Franchisor to prevent unauthorized use or disclosure of or access
to the
Confidential Information, including requiring its employees who will
have access
to such information to execute a non-competition and confidentiality
agreement
in the form attached hereto as Exhibit F
(the
“Confidentiality
and Non-Competition Agreement”).
Franchisee shall provide Franchisor, at its request, executed originals
of each
such Confidentiality and Non-Competition Agreement.
20
Notwithstanding
anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement and provided
Franchisee
shall have obtained Franchisor's prior written consent, the restrictions
on
Franchisee's, its Owners' and its employees' disclosure and use of
the
Confidential Information shall not apply to the following:
(i) information,
methods, procedures, techniques and knowledge which are or become
generally
known throughout the restaurant industry or the nutritional supplement
industry,
other than through disclosure (whether deliberate or inadvertent)
by Franchisee
or any other party having an obligation of confidentiality to Franchisor;
and
(ii) the
disclosure of the Confidential Information in judicial or administrative
proceedings to the extent that Franchisee is legally compelled to
disclose such information, provided Franchisee has notified Franchisor
prior to disclosure and shall have used its best efforts to obtain,
and shall
have afforded Franchisor the opportunity to obtain, an appropriate
protective
order or other assurance satisfactory to Franchisor of confidential
treatment
for the information required to be so disclosed.
6.B. INNOVATIONS.
Franchisee
agrees to disclose to Franchisor all ideas, concepts, methods,
techniques and products conceived or developed by Franchisee and/or its
Affiliates, Owners, agents, representatives, contractors and employees
during
the term of this Agreement relating to the development or operation
of UFood
Outlets. Franchisee hereby grants to Franchisor, and agrees to procure
from such
other Persons, a perpetual, non-exclusive, and worldwide right to
use,
sublicense the use of, and commercialize in any way any such ideas,
concepts,
methods, techniques and products in all businesses operated by Franchisor
or its
Affiliates, developers, franchisees and designees. Franchisor shall
have no
obligation to make any lump sum or other payments to Franchisee or
any other
Person with respect to any such ideas, concepts, methods, techniques
or
products. Franchisee will not use, nor will it allow any other Person
to use,
any such idea, concept, method, technique or product, whether in
connection with
the Outlet or otherwise, without obtaining Franchisor's prior written
approval.
Franchisee agrees to sign and deliver such instruments and documents,
provide
such assistance and perform such other acts as Franchisor shall designate
in
order for Franchisor or its designee to obtain intellectual property
rights or
to obtain exclusive ownership rights in such ideas, concepts, methods,
techniques and products.
21
7.
|
EXCLUSIVE
RELATIONSHIP.
|
Franchisee
acknowledges and agrees that Franchisor would be unable to protect
the
Confidential Information against unauthorized use or disclosure,
and would be
unable to encourage a free exchange of ideas and information among
franchisees
and developers of UFood Outlets, if franchisees, developers and their
Owners
(and members of their respective Immediate Families) were permitted
to engage
in, hold interests in or perform services for Competitive Businesses.
Franchisee
further acknowledges and agrees that the restrictions contained in
this
Section 7
will not
hinder its activities or the activities of its Owners (or members
of their
respective Immediate Families) under this Agreement or in general.
Franchisor
has entered into this Agreement with Franchisee on the express condition
that,
with respect to restaurants featuring food items and/or beverages
that are
marketed as low-fat, low-carbohydrate or low-calorie food and retail
businesses
featuring the sale of nutritional products or similar businesses,
Franchisee and
its Owners and members of their respective Immediate Families will
deal
exclusively with Franchisor. Franchisee therefore agrees that, during
the term
of this Agreement, neither Franchisee nor any Owner of Franchisee,
nor any
member of the Immediate Family of Franchisee or of any Owner, shall
directly or
indirectly:
(a) have
any
controlling or non-controlling interest as a record or beneficial
owner in any
Competitive Business, wherever located or operating, provided that
this
restriction shall not be applicable to the ownership of shares of
a class of
securities listed on a stock exchange or traded on the over-the-counter
market
and quoted on a national inter-dealer quotation system that represent
less than
one-half percent (0.5%) of the number of shares of that class of
securities
issued and outstanding;
(b) perform
services as a director, officer, manager, employee, consultant, representative,
agent, or otherwise for any Competitive Business, wherever located
or operating;
(c) directly
or indirectly loan any money or other thing of value to, guarantee
any loan to,
lease any personal or real property to, or permit the use of its
name in
connection with, any Competitive Business or any owner, director,
officer,
manager, employee or agent of any Competitive Business, wherever
located or
operating;
(d) divert
or
attempt to divert any actual or potential business or customers of
the Outlet or
any other UFood Outlet to any Competitive Business; or
(e) employ
or
seek to employ any individual who is employed by Franchisor, an Affiliate
of
Franchisor or any other developer or franchisee of a UFood Outlet,
or otherwise
directly or indirectly induce any such individual to leave said employment,
without the prior written consent of such individual's employer.
Furthermore,
if Franchisee is a corporation, limited liability company, partnership
or other
business entity, it will not engage in any business or other activity,
directly
or indirectly, other than the development and operation of the Outlet
and other
UFood Outlets developed and operated pursuant to other agreements
with
Franchisor.
22
Franchisee
acknowledges and agrees that the failure of any Person restricted
pursuant to
this Section to comply with the restrictions of this Section (regardless
of
whether that Person actually has executed this Agreement, a Guarantee
or a
confidentiality or non-competition agreement) shall constitute a
breach of this
Agreement by Franchisee. Without limiting the foregoing, and in addition
to any
remedies Franchisor may have under this Agreement, if Franchisee
or any
Affiliate of Franchisee should hire an individual who, at the time
of such
hiring, is employed by Franchisor or one of its Affiliates and whose
duties
include training, Franchisee shall promptly pay to Franchisor as
liquidated
damages an amount equal to the then current annual salary of the
individual as
reflected in the personnel records of Franchisor or its Affiliate,
as
applicable. Franchisee acknowledges and agrees that Franchisor makes
a
substantial investment in its training personnel and that the aforementioned
liquidated damages are a reasonable estimate of the actual damages
which would
be incurred by Franchisor or its Affiliate.
8.
|
FEES.
|
8.A. INITIAL
FRANCHISE FEE.
Franchisee
agrees to pay to Franchisor upon execution of this Agreement an initial
franchise fee set forth in Exhibit D
hereto
(the "Initial
Franchise Fee").
The
Initial Franchise Fee shall be fully earned by Franchisor upon the
earlier of
payment thereof or execution of this Agreement. The Initial Franchise
Fee is
non-refundable in whole or in part and is paid to compensate Franchisor
for
various services provided to Franchisee prior to the opening of the
Outlet,
including providing initial training and inspecting the Outlet prior
to opening.
The Initial Franchise Fee is not compensation for the use of the
Marks or the
Copyrighted Works.
8.B. ROYALTY
FEE.
Franchisee
shall pay to Franchisor a continuing royalty fee (the "Royalty
Fee")
in an
amount equal to: (1) five percent (5%) of the Outlet's F&B Gross
Receipts; plus (2) five percent (5%) of the Outlet's Nutritional Products
Gross Receipts. The Royalty Fee shall be payable to Franchisor on
or before
Tuesday of each week based on the Outlet's F&B
Gross Receipts and
Nutritional Products Gross Receipts for the weeks ending on the immediately
preceding Sunday. Franchisor, upon written notice to Franchisee,
shall have the
right to change the timing of Franchisee's payments of Royalty Fees
and
Systemwide Advertising Fund contributions (as defined below) due
under this
Agreement. Franchisee shall not subordinate to any other obligation
its
obligation to pay the Royalty Fee or any other fee or charge
hereunder.
8.C. DEFINITIONS.
As
used
in this Agreement, the term "Gross
Receipts"
shall
mean and include all receipts generated directly or indirectly as
a result of
the operation of the Outlet, or otherwise resulting from or attributable
to the
rights granted herein to Franchisee, whether arising from sales of
food and
beverage items, Nutritional Products, Catering Service, Delivery
Service or
other goods or services sold on or from the Outlet, or otherwise,
and shall
include the following:
(1) the
retail price of all food, beverage, Nutritional Products and approved
gift
certificates, gift cards and stored value cards sold by Franchisee.
For all
purposes of this Agreement, items sold at a discount implemented
by Franchisee
in good faith and consistent with sound business practices shall
be valued at
the discounted retail value thereof.
23
(2) All
charges for services rendered in connection with the operation of
the Outlet
(e.g.,
cover
charges, service charges, customer gratuities, etc.).
(3) All
credit transactions of whatever nature carried out during the week
in question
shall be recorded as a closed transaction when the transaction is
effected
(i.e.,
at
point of sale).
Notwithstanding
the foregoing, the following, and only the following, receipts shall
be excluded
from the term "Gross
Receipts":
(a) sales
taxes imposed by governmental authorities upon operations of the
Outlet, charged
to Outlet patrons, and actually paid to such governmental authorities
by
Franchisee; and
(b) the
retail price of food, beverage and Nutritional Products sold which
are paid for
using approved gift certificates, gift cards or stored value cards.
"F&B
Gross Receipts"
shall
mean only those Gross Receipts generated from the sale of food and
beverage
items to Outlet patrons for consumption. "Nutritional
Products Gross Receipts"
shall
mean and include all Gross Receipts that are not specifically designated
as
F&B Gross Receipts.
8.D. INTEREST
ON LATE PAYMENTS.
All
fees
and other amounts which Franchisee owes to Franchisor or its Affiliates
shall
bear interest after due date for the number of days which such payment
is
overdue at a rate equal to the lesser of: (1) eighteen percent (18%) per
annum; or (2) the highest legal rate permitted by applicable law.
Franchisee acknowledges that this Subsection shall not constitute
Franchisor's
agreement to accept such payments after they are due or a commitment
by
Franchisor to extend credit to, or otherwise finance, Franchisee's
operation of
the Outlet. Further, Franchisee acknowledges that failure to pay
all such
amounts when due shall, notwithstanding the provisions of this Subsection,
constitute grounds for termination of this Agreement, as provided
in this
Agreement.
8.E. APPLICATION
OF PAYMENTS.
Notwithstanding
any designation by Franchisee, Franchisor may apply any payments
received from
Franchisee, or any indebtedness of Franchisor or any of its Affiliates
to
Franchisee, to any past due indebtedness, of whatever nature, of
Franchisee to
Franchisor or its Affiliates.
24
8.F. ELECTRONIC
FUNDS TRANSFER.
Franchisee
agrees to remit fees and other amounts due to Franchisor hereunder
via
electronic funds transfer or other means as Franchisor may specify
from time to
time. If Franchisor notifies Franchisee to use such payment method,
Franchisee
agrees to comply with procedures specified by Franchisor and to perform
such
acts and deliver and execute such documents, including authorization
for direct
debits from Franchisee's business bank operating account, as may
be necessary to
assist in or accomplish payment by such method. Under this procedure
Franchisee
shall authorize Franchisor to initiate debit entries and/or credit
correction
entries to a designated checking or savings account for payments
of fees and
other amounts payable to Franchisor and its Affiliates and any interest
charges
due thereon. Franchisee shall make the funds available to Franchisor
for
withdrawal by electronic transfer no later than the due date for
payment
therefor. If Franchisee has not timely reported the Outlet's Gross
Receipts to
Franchisor for any reporting period, then Franchisor shall be authorized,
at
Franchisor's option, to debit Franchisee's account in an amount equal
to
(a) the fees transferred from Franchisee's account for the last reporting
period for which a report of the Outlet's Gross Receipts was provided
to
Franchisor as required hereunder or (b) the amount due based on information
retrieved from the Computer System.
9.
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OUTLET
IMAGE AND OPERATION.
|
9.A. CONDITION
AND APPEARANCE OF THE OUTLET.
Franchisee
agrees that, during the term of this Agreement:
(1) neither
the Outlet nor the Site will be used for any purpose other than the
operation of
a UFood Outlet in full compliance with this Agreement and all System
Standards;
(2) Franchisee
will maintain the condition and appearance of the Site, the Outlet
and its
Operating Assets in accordance with the specifications and standards
of
Franchisor and consistent with the image of a UFood Outlet as a first-class
business;
(3) Franchisee
will perform such maintenance (including maintenance procedures and
routines
which Franchisor prescribes from time to time) with respect to the
Operating
Assets, the Outlet and the Site as may be required or directed by
Franchisor
from time to time to maintain such condition, appearance, and efficient
operation, including: (a) continuous and thorough cleaning and sanitation
of the interior and exterior of the Outlet; (b) thorough repainting and
redecorating of the interior and exterior of the Outlet and/or the
Site at
reasonable intervals; (c) interior and exterior repair of the Outlet and/or
the Site; and (d) repair or replacement of damaged, worn out or obsolete
Operating Assets.
(4) Franchisee
will not make any material alterations to the Site, or to the appearance
of the
Outlet as originally developed, without the prior approval of Franchisor;
(5) Franchisee
will place or display at the Outlet (interior and exterior) only
such signs,
emblems, lettering, logos, and display and advertising materials
that are from
time to time approved by Franchisor; and
25
(6) Subject
to approval by Franchisor of the plans, layouts, designs and contractor,
upon
Franchisor's request made not more than once during the initial term
of this
Agreement, Franchisee will substantially remodel, expand, redecorate,
re-equip
and refurnish the Site, the Outlet and/or those Operating Assets
specified by
Franchisor to reflect changes in the appearance and operation of
UFood Outlets
prescribed by Franchisor and required of new franchisees. Franchisor
shall not
make such a request of Franchisee during the first five (5) years
of the term of
this Agreement. Franchisee acknowledges that its obligations under
this
Subparagraph 9.A.(6)
could
result in its making extensive structural changes to, and significantly
remodeling and renovating, the Site and the Outlet, and/or in Franchisee's
spending substantial amounts for new Operating Assets, and Franchisee
agrees to
incur any capital and other expenditures required in order to comply
with such
obligations, even if such expenditures cannot be amortized over the
remaining
term of this Agreement. The limitations set forth in this Subparagraph 9.A.(6)
shall
not apply to changes in the Computer System and Specified Software
(which are
addressed in Section 3.H.)
In
addition to any other remedies available to Franchisor, if Franchisee
does not
maintain the condition and appearance of the Operating Assets, Site
and Outlet
as herein required, Franchisor may, upon not less than ten (10) days'
written
notice (or, in cases of health or sanitation hazards or other public
endangerment, as determined by Franchisor, immediately on oral or
written
notice) to Franchisee: (i) arrange for the necessary cleaning or
sanitation, repair, remodeling, upgrading, painting or decorating;
or
(ii) replace, as necessary, Operating Assets and/or other equipment.
Franchisee shall pay the entire cost thereof on or before the fifth
(5th) day
following the receipt of a xxxx for such work from Franchisor.
9.B. OUTLET
PRODUCTS AND SERVICES.
Franchisee
agrees that it shall:
(1) offer
for
sale and sell at and from the Outlet all products (including Nutritional
Products and food and beverage items prepared in accordance with
Franchisor's
specifications) and services that Franchisor specifies from time
to time;
(2) not
offer
for sale, sell, give away or otherwise distribute, whether at the
Outlet, the
Site or any other location, any products or services that Franchisor
has not
authorized;
(3) discontinue
offering for sale, selling, giving away or otherwise distributing
any products
or services that Franchisor at any time disapproves in writing; and
(4) not
permit any vending equipment or gaming machinery of any kind or nature
in the
Outlet or on the Site, except with the prior written approval of
Franchisor in
each instance.
Franchisee
acknowledges and agrees that its provision of high quality products
and services
is essential to the proper functioning and goodwill of the System and,
therefore, that Franchisee shall provide all products and services
that
Franchisor periodically authorizes in accordance with the System Standards.
Franchisee also acknowledges and agrees that if Franchisor requires
the Outlet
to offer new or substitute products or services not currently offered
at UFood
Outlets, Franchisee agrees to offer such services and/or products in
compliance
with the System Standards and to diligently pursue obtaining any permits
and
taking such actions (including acquiring Operating Assets, supplies
and
materials) required to offer such products and/or services.
9.C. CATERING
SERVICE AND DELIVERY SERVICE.
Franchisee
shall have the right to
provide Catering Service and/or Delivery Service from the Outlet, provided
that
Franchisee complies with the terms and conditions of this Agreement
and all
System Standards applicable thereto, and provided that Franchisee shall
pay the
Royalty Fee on all Gross Receipts generated from offering Catering
Service or
Delivery Service. Furthermore, Franchisor shall have the right to require
Franchisee to offer Catering Service, but not Delivery Service. Franchisee
shall
provide Franchisor at least ninety (90) days' written notice of its
election to
provide Catering Service and/or Delivery Service. Franchisee shall
not establish
another outlet or property (other than the Site) for use in connection
with
Catering Service or Delivery Service.
Franchisee
may determine the geographic area within which it will offer Catering
Service or
Delivery Service, provided that (1) Franchisee must ensure that its
customers receive at all times high quality food and beverage products
prepared
and maintained in accordance with Franchisor's specifications, and
(2) Franchisee shall not provide Catering Service or Delivery Service to
any location within the contract territory of another franchisee of
UFood
Outlets.
Franchisee
shall:
(a) require
all catering and delivery drivers to strictly comply with all regulations,
laws
and ordinances applicable to the operation of motor vehicles and use
due care,
taking into consideration road conditions, when performing Catering
Services and
Delivery Services;
(b) require
all catering and delivery drivers to maintain adequate motor vehicle
liability
insurance in the amounts specified by Franchisor from time to time
that complies
with all applicable laws and regulations and that extends to the operation
of a
motor vehicle for use for commercial delivery;
(c) maintain
or cause drivers to maintain all catering and delivery vehicles in
good and safe
operating condition in full compliance with all applicable laws and
regulations
and containing the signs or other markings that Franchisor periodically
specifies;
(d) conduct
initial and periodic (at least once every six (6) months) driving record
checks on all catering and delivery drivers;
(e) require
all catering and delivery drivers to possess and maintain valid drivers
licenses
and driving records free of disqualifying violations;
26
(f) where
appropriate under Franchisor's specifications and standards as in effect
from
time to time, prohibit any catering or delivery driver who does not
conform to
Franchisee's standards and specifications for Catering Service or Delivery
Service (as applicable) from providing or assisting in the provision
of such
services; and
(g) obtain
and maintain all licenses, permits and other governmental approvals
necessary or
advisable for the provision of Catering Services and/or Delivery Services,
and
conduct such Catering Services and/or Delivery Services in a manner
which
complies with all sanitary, safety and food preparation and holding
period
standards.
Franchisee
shall maintain the condition and appearance of, and perform maintenance
with
respect to, vehicles, furniture, fixtures and equipment used in connection
with
the provision of Catering Services and/or Delivery Services in accordance
with
Franchisor's standards, specifications and procedures, and consistent
with the
image of UFood Outlets as first class, clean, sanitary, attractive
and
efficiently-operated food service businesses.
If
Franchisee fails to comply with any provision of this Agreement, including
any
System Standard, pertaining to Catering Service or Delivery Service,
then in
addition to any other rights and remedies that Franchisor might have
(including
the right to terminate this Agreement pursuant to Section 15,
if
applicable), Franchisor may temporarily suspend or permanently terminate
Franchisee's right to provide Catering Service and/or Delivery
Service.
9.D. APPROVED
PRODUCTS, DISTRIBUTORS AND SUPPLIERS.
The
reputation and goodwill of all UFood Outlets are based upon, and can
only be
maintained by, the offer and sale of distinctive, high-quality products
and
services and the presentation, packaging and service of products in
an efficient
and appealing manner. Therefore, during the term of this Agreement,
Franchisee
must purchase or lease all Operating Assets, Proprietary Products,
food and
beverage ingredients and inventory, Nutritional Products, and other
equipment,
materials, supplies and services offered or used by or in connection
with the
Outlet only according to Franchisor's System Standards (including with
respect
to brands, types and models) and, if Franchisor requires, only from
suppliers or
distributors that Franchisor designates or approves (which might include
or be
limited to Franchisor or its Affiliates). Franchisor and its affiliates
have
developed and may further develop Proprietary Products for use in the
operation
of UFood Outlets. Franchisee must use only the Proprietary Products
in the
preparation and sale by the Outlet of those products that Franchisor
specifies
from time to time.
Franchisor
may from time to time modify the list of designated or approved suppliers
and
distributors. Franchisee shall not, after receipt in writing of such
modification, reorder any product from any supplier or distributor
or purchase
services from a provider that is no longer approved. Franchisor may
designate or
approve a single distributor, supplier or provider for any products
or services
and may designate or approve a distributor, supplier or provider only
as to
certain products, materials, supplies or services, and such approval
may be
temporary pending a further evaluation of such distributor, supplier
or provider
by Franchisor. Franchisor may concentrate purchases with one or more
distributors, suppliers or providers to obtain lower prices, advertising
support
and/or services for the benefit of the UFood Outlet network, and establish
Franchisor or Affiliate-owned manufacturing or distribution facilities
or
servicing capabilities which Franchisor may designate as an approved
or required
distributor, supplier or provider. Franchisor may designate itself
or an
Affiliate as a designated or approved manufacturer, supplier, distributor
and/or
provider of certain products and/or services. If Franchisor is a designated
or
approved manufacturer, supplier or distributor, Franchisee acknowledges
and
agrees that Franchisor may earn a profit on goods and services it supplies
to
Franchisee.
27
Upon
Franchisor's request, or if Franchisee wants to use or sell (as applicable)
any
Operating Assets, food and beverage ingredients and inventory, Nutritional
Products, or other equipment, materials, supplies or services that
Franchisor
has not yet evaluated or purchase or lease any item or service from
a supplier
that Franchisor has not yet approved (for items and services that require
supplier approval), Franchisee shall notify Franchisor and submit to
Franchisor
such information, specifications and samples as Franchisor requests.
Franchisor
shall use commercially reasonable efforts to notify Franchisee within
one
hundred twenty (120) days after receipt of all requested information
and
materials whether Franchisee is authorized to purchase or lease such
item or
service or to purchase or lease such item or service from such distributor,
supplier or provider. Franchisor may condition its approval based on
standards
and requirements relating to quality, quantity, warranties, prices,
volume
capability, frequency of delivery, distribution methods and locations,
standards
of service (including prompt attention to complaints), consistency,
reliability,
financial capability, labor and customer relations and other criteria.
Franchisee shall ensure that all vendors and suppliers for the Outlet
comply
with the corporate compliance guidelines that Franchisor specifies
(as
Franchisor may periodically modify them), including guidelines relating
to
quality and compliance with environmental, child labor and other laws.
If
Franchisee fails to receive a notice of approval or disapproval within
such one
hundred twenty (120) day period, then the request is deemed approved.
Franchisee
must reimburse Franchisor for its reasonable costs incurred in connection
with
the evaluation of a proposed item or supplier. Franchisor reserves
the right
periodically to re-inspect the facilities and products of any approved
supplier,
distributor or provider and to revoke its approval of any supplier,
distributor,
provider, item or service that does not continue to meet Franchisor's
criteria.
Franchisor may require Franchisee to reimburse Franchisor for its reasonable
costs incurred in connection with the evaluation, inspection and supervision
of
any distributor, supplier, provider, item or service that does not
continue to
meet Franchisor's criteria. Without limiting Franchisor's other rights
and
remedies under this Agreement, including the right to terminate this
Agreement
under Section 15
hereof,
Franchisor shall have the right, without liability to Franchisee or
any other
Person, to enter the Outlet or other part of the Site and remove any
material or
item that does not comply with Franchisor's standards.
Franchisee
acknowledges and agrees that Franchisor and/or its Affiliates may receive
promotional allowances, rebates, and other payments from suppliers
on account of
purchases by some or all of Franchisor's franchisees and developers.
Franchisor
and its Affiliates shall contribute such allowances and rebates to
the
Systemwide Advertising Fund.
28
9.E. COMPLIANCE
WITH SYSTEM STANDARDS.
Franchisee
acknowledges that the operation of the Outlet in strict compliance
with
Franchisor's System Standards is important to Franchisor and other
UFood
Outlets. Franchisee agrees strictly to comply with and maintain such
System
Standards in the operation of the Outlet at all times during the term
of this
Agreement. System Standards may regulate any aspect of the Site's and
Outlet's
condition, operation, business and maintenance, including:
(1) all
aspects of the offer, sale and display of Nutritional Products and
the
preparation, offer, presentation and sale of Proprietary Products,
food and
beverage items, including proper use of ingredients and recipes and
standards
concerning portions, appearance, display, quality, coloring and
flavoring;
(2) purchase
and use of packaging material and other supplies for use in connection
with the
display and/or sales of Proprietary Products, food and beverage items
and
Nutritional Products;
(3) terms
and
conditions for the sale and delivery of, and terms and methods of payment
for,
Proprietary Products, other products, and services that Franchisee
obtains from
Franchisor and its affiliated and unaffiliated suppliers; and Franchisor’s and
its Affiliates’ right not to sell to Franchisee any Proprietary Products, or
other products, or to provide Franchisee with services, or to do so
only on a
“cash-on-delivery” or other basis, if Franchisee is in default under any
agreement with Franchisor or its Affiliates;
(4) sales
and
marketing procedures and marketing, advertising, promotional and customer
service programs, and cooperation with Franchisor, its Affiliates and
its and
their franchisees and licensees in the manner that Franchisor prescribes
to
provide for and promote the best interests of the Marks and the UFood
Outlet
network throughout the world;
(5) days
and
hours of operation (which may vary among UFood Outlets), including
standards,
procedures and limitations on closing the Outlet to the public during
private
parties;
(6) requirements
for vehicles, training, qualifications, conduct and appearance of personnel,
product packaging, format and use of materials and supplies (including
display
of the Marks thereon), and other aspects of providing Catering Services
or
Delivery Services;
(7) compliance,
and ensuring compliance by Franchisee's vendors and suppliers, with
anti-counterfeiting programs periodically implemented by Franchisor,
including
by purchasing labels, tags and similar items only from suppliers that
Franchisor
designates or approves (which might include or be limited to Franchisor
or its
Affiliates);
(8) layout,
decor and color scheme of the Outlet and the Site;
29
(9) recruitment,
selection, training, qualifications, appearance, demeanor and dress
of
employees, general staffing levels for the Outlet and number, type
and
qualifications of Outlet personnel;
(10) safety,
maintenance, appearance, quality, cleanliness, sanitation, standards
of service
and operation of the Outlet and the Site;
(11) use
and
illumination of signs, posters, displays, standard formats and similar
items;
(12) identification
of Franchisee as the owner of the Outlet;
(13) participating
in customer loyalty programs and periodic promotion of Franchisor’s franchise
opportunities;
(14) issuing
and honoring gift certificates, gift cards, coupons, stored value cards
and
similar items and participating in other promotions; and
(15) participation
in market research and test programs required or approved by Franchisor
concerning various aspects of the System, including procedures, systems,
techniques, furnishings, fixtures, equipment, signs, labels, trade
dress, logos,
packaging, supplies, marketing materials and strategies, merchandising
and
products and services. Franchisee agrees, if requested by Franchisor,
to
participate in Franchisor's customer surveys and market research
programs.
Franchisee
acknowledges and agrees that all mandatory System Standards prescribed
from time
to time by Franchisor in the Manuals or otherwise communicated to Franchisee
in
writing or other form are part of this Agreement as if fully set forth
within
its text and shall constitute binding obligations on the part of Franchisee
as
if fully set forth herein. All references to this Agreement shall include
all
System Standards, as periodically modified. Any failure by Franchisee
to adhere
to such System Standards or to pass Franchisor's periodic quality control
inspections shall constitute grounds for termination of this Agreement
by
Franchisor, as provided in Section 15.B.
Franchisee
acknowledges that Franchisor's periodic modification of System Standards
(including changes to the components of the Computer System and Specified
Software), which may accommodate local or regional variations, may
obligate
Franchisee to invest additional capital in the Outlet and/or incur
higher
operating costs, and Franchisee agrees to do so within the time period
that
Franchisor specifies.
30
9.F. COMPLIANCE
WITH LAWS AND GOOD BUSINESS PRACTICES.
Franchisee
shall secure and maintain in force in its name all required licenses,
permits,
and certificates relating to the conduct of its business pursuant to
this
Agreement. Franchisee shall comply with all applicable laws, ordinances
and
regulations, including laws relating to occupational hazards, hazardous
materials and other environmental matters, health, safety and sanitation,
worker's compensation insurance, unemployment insurance, and withholding
and
payment of all taxes. All advertising by Franchisee shall be subject
to approval
by Franchisor under Section 10.B.
hereof
and be completely factual, in good taste in the judgment of Franchisor,
and
shall conform to high standards of ethical advertising. Franchisee
shall in all
dealings with its customers, suppliers, Franchisor, and public officials
adhere
to high standards of honesty, integrity, fair dealing and ethical conduct.
Franchisee shall pay all amounts owed to its vendors and suppliers
(including
Franchisor and its Affiliates) on time and in the ordinary course of
business.
Franchisee agrees to refrain from any business or advertising practice
which may
be injurious to the business of Franchisor and the goodwill associated
with the
Marks and other UFood Outlets. Franchisee shall notify Franchisor in
writing:
(1) within
three (3) days after the commencement of any action, suit, proceeding
or
issuance of any order, writ, injunction, award, or decree of any court,
agency,
or other governmental instrumentality, which might adversely affect
the
operation or financial condition of Franchisee or the Outlet; or
(2) immediately
upon the receipt of any notice of violation of any law, ordinance or
regulation
relating to health, sanitation or the operation of the Outlet.
Franchisee
agrees to comply with, and to assist Franchisor to the fullest extent
possible
in its efforts to comply with, Anti-Terrorism Laws (as defined below).
In
connection with such compliance, Franchisee certifies, represents,
and warrants
that none of its property or interests is subject to being "blocked"
under any
of the Anti-Terrorism Laws and that neither Franchisee nor any Owner
is
otherwise in violation of any of the Anti-Terrorism Laws. For the purposes
of
this Paragraph, "Anti-Terrorism
Law"
means
Executive Order 13224 issued by the President of the United States,
the
Terrorism Sanctions Regulations (Title 31, Part 595 of the U.S. Code
of Federal
Regulations), the Foreign Terrorist Organizations Sanctions Regulations
(Title
31, Part 597 of the U.S. Code of Federal Regulations), the Cuban Assets
Control
Regulations (Title 31, Part 515 of the U.S. Code of Federal Regulations),
the
USA PATRIOT Act, and all other present and future federal, state and
local laws,
ordinances, regulations, policies, lists and other requirements of
any
governmental authority (including the United States Department of Treasury
Office of Foreign Assets Control) addressing or in any way relating
to terrorist
acts and acts of war.
Franchisee
certifies that none of Franchisee, its Owners, its employees, or anyone
associated with it is listed in the Annex to Executive Order 13224.
(The Annex
is available at
xxxx://xxx.xxxxxxxx.xxx/xxxxxxx/xxxxxxxxxxx/xxxx/xxxxxxxxx/xxxxxxxxx.xxxx.)
Franchisee agrees not to hire or contract with any individual who is
listed in
the Annex. Franchisee also certifies that it has no knowledge or information
that, if generally known, would cause Franchisee, any of Franchisee's
Owners or
employees, or anyone associated with Franchisee to be listed in the
Annex to
Executive Order 13224, and, if any of the foregoing becomes listed
on such
Annex, Franchisee will immediately notify Franchisor in writing. Franchisee
is
solely responsible for ascertaining what actions it must take to comply
with the
Anti-Terrorism Laws, and Franchisee specifically acknowledges and agrees
that
its indemnification responsibilities set forth in Section 17.D.
of this
Agreement extend to its obligations under this Subsection F.
Any
misrepresentation by Franchisee under this Subsection, or any violation
of the
Anti-Terrorism Laws by Franchisee or its Owners or employees, shall
constitute
grounds for immediate termination of this Agreement and any other agreement
between Franchisor (or one of its Affiliates) and Franchisee (and one
of its
Affiliates) pursuant to Section 15.B
below.
31
9.G. MANAGEMENT
AND PERSONNEL OF THE OUTLET.
An
approved and qualified General Manager must devote all of his or her
business
time and attention to the supervision of the Outlet's day-to-day operations.
Except as provided below, a "Managing
Owner"
must
act as the General Manager of the Outlet. A Managing Owner is an Owner
who owns
at least ten percent (10%) of the Ownership Interests in Franchisee
and who has
been approved by Franchisor.
If
Franchisee owns more than one UFood Outlet, each of those must be under
the
direct on-premises supervision of a General Manager Franchisor has
approved and
who has completed Franchisor's training programs. In that case, the
Managing
Owner need not act as the General Manager of the Outlet, so long as
the Managing
Owner retains overall management responsibility for the Outlet.
Except
for temporary periods of no more than thirty (30) days during which
Management
Personnel are being replaced as a result of employment separations,
Franchisee
shall ensure that an individual whom Franchisor has approved shall
function in
each Management Personnel position. Franchisee also shall employ the
number of
assistant managers and other personnel required for adequate staffing
of the
Outlet and shall ensure that all personnel are trained in accordance
with the
System Standards. Franchisor shall have the right to deal with the
General
Manager and assistant managers on matters pertaining to day-to-day
operations
of, and reporting requirements for, the Outlet. The Outlet at all times
shall be
under the direct, on-site supervision of the General Manager or assistant
general manager who has completed satisfactorily a training program
certified by
Franchisor. Franchisee shall hire all employees of the Outlet and shall
be
exclusively responsible for the terms of their employment and compensation
and
for their proper training.
9.H. INSURANCE.
During
the term of this Agreement, Franchisee must maintain in force at its
sole
expense comprehensive public liability, general liability, product
liability and
motor vehicle liability insurance against claims for bodily and personal
injury,
death and property damage caused by or occurring in connection with
the Outlet's
operation, all containing the minimum liability coverage Franchisor
prescribes
from time to time. Franchisor may periodically increase the amounts
of coverage
required under these insurance policies and/or require different or
additional
insurance coverages (including reasonable excess liability insurance)
at any
time to reflect inflation, identification of new risks, changes in
law or
standards of liability, higher damage awards or other relevant changes
in
circumstances. These insurance policies must be purchased from licensed
insurers
having an A.M. Best rating of “A” or higher and must name Franchisor and any
affiliates Franchisor designates as additional named insureds and provide
for
thirty (30) days' prior written notice to Franchisor of a policy's
material
modification, cancellation or expiration. Each insurance policy must
contain a
waiver of all subrogation rights against Franchisor, its Affiliates
and their
successors and assigns. Franchisee routinely must furnish to Franchisor
copies
of Certificates of Insurance or other evidence of Franchisee's maintaining
this
insurance coverage and paying premiums. If Franchisee fails or refuses
to obtain
and maintain the insurance Franchisor specifies, in addition to Franchisee's
other remedies, Franchisor may (but need not) obtain such insurance
for
Franchisee and the Outlet on Franchisee's behalf, in which event it
shall
cooperate with Franchisor and reimburse Franchisor for all premiums,
costs and
expenses incurred in obtaining and maintaining the insurance, plus
a reasonable
fee for the time incurred in obtaining such insurance.
32
9.I. CREDIT
CARDS AND OTHER METHODS OF PAYMENT.
Franchisee
shall at all times have arrangements in existence with a full range
of credit
and debit card issuers or sponsors, check verification services and
electronic
fund transfer systems as Franchisor designates from time to time in
order that
the Outlet may accept customers' credit and debit cards, checks and
other
methods of payment. Franchisee shall use only such methods of payment
which
Franchisor authorizes or approves. Franchisor may at its option institute
a
credit program or centralized billing system for UFood Outlet customers,
in
which event Franchisee shall comply with Franchisor's System Standards
relating
thereto.
9.J. PRICING.
Franchisor
reserves the right to establish maximum, minimum or other pricing requirements
to the fullest extent allowed by law.
10.
|
ADVERTISING,
MARKETING AND PROMOTION.
|
10.A. SYSTEMWIDE
ADVERTISING FUND.
Recognizing
the value of advertising and marketing to the goodwill and public
image of UFood
Outlets, Franchisor may institute and maintain and administer an
advertising
fund (the "Systemwide
Advertising Fund")
for
such advertising, media placement, marketing and public relations
and
promotional programs, market research and related activities as Franchisor
may
deem necessary or appropriate to generally promote UFood Outlets
in the United
States. Franchisee
shall contribute to the Systemwide Advertising Fund the amounts that
Franchisor
periodically prescribes, payable to Franchisor by separate check
or electronic
transfer at the same time and in the same manner as the Royalty Fees
due
hereunder. As of the date of this Agreement, the required contribution
is one
and one-half percent (1½%) of Gross Receipts, provided that the required
contribution shall in no event exceed two and one-half percent (2½%) of Gross
Receipts. UFood Outlets in the United States which are owned by Franchisor
(or
its Affiliates, to the extent Franchisor has the right to require
such
Affiliates to do so) shall contribute to the Systemwide Advertising
Fund on the
same basis as Franchisee.
33
Franchisor
shall direct all programs and activities financed by the Systemwide
Advertising
Fund, with sole control over the strategic direction, creative concepts,
materials and endorsements used and the geographic, market, and media
placement
and allocation thereof. Franchisee agrees that the Systemwide Advertising
Fund
may be used to pay various costs and expenses, including: creating
and producing
video, audio and written advertising materials and electronic media;
interest on
borrowed funds; costs to prepare and place coupons and inserts in
newspapers and
other publications; sponsorship of sporting, charitable, entertainment
or other
events; establishment and maintenance of the System Website (defined
below);
reasonable salaries and expenses of employees of Franchisor or its
Affiliates
working for or on behalf of the Systemwide Advertising Fund or on
advertising,
marketing, public relations materials, programs, activities or promotions
for
the benefit of the Systemwide Advertising Fund; and administrative
costs and
overhead of Franchisor or its Affiliates incurred in activities reasonably
related to the administration of the Systemwide Advertising Fund,
(including
collecting and accounting for Systemwide Advertising Fund contributions;
purchasing direct mail, radio, television and other media advertising
and
employing advertising agencies and other professionals to assist
therewith; and
supporting public relations, market and consumer research and other
advertising,
promotional and marketing activities, including testing and test
marketing
programs, fulfillment charges, and development, implementation and
testing of
Trade Dress and design prototypes). Franchisee agrees to participate
in all
advertising, marketing, promotions, research and public relations
programs
instituted by the Systemwide Advertising Fund. The Systemwide Advertising
Fund
shall furnish Franchisee with reasonable quantities of marketing,
advertising
and promotional formats and sample materials at cost plus any related
shipping,
handling and storage charges.
The
Systemwide Advertising Fund shall be accounted for separately, but
shall not be
required to be segregated, from the other funds of Franchisor and
shall not be
used to defray any of Franchisor's general operating expenses, except
as
descried above. If at any time Franchisor incurs expenses for the
types of goods
and services that would otherwise be paid for out of the Systemwide
Advertising
Fund, Franchisor may reimburse itself for those items using monies
from the
Systemwide Advertising Fund. The Systemwide Advertising Fund is not
Franchisor's
asset nor a trust, and Franchisor does not have a fiduciary duty
to Franchisee
for maintaining, directing or administering the Systemwide Advertising
Fund or
for any other reason. Franchisor may spend in a fiscal year an amount
greater or
less than the aggregate contributions of all UFood Outlets to the
Systemwide
Advertising Fund in that year. The Systemwide Advertising Fund may
borrow from
Franchisor or other lenders at standard commercial interest rates
to cover
deficits or cause the Systemwide Advertising Fund to invest any surplus
for
future use by the Systemwide Advertising Fund. An annual, unaudited
statement of
monies collected and costs incurred by the Systemwide Advertising
Fund for
Franchisor's immediately preceding fiscal year shall be made available
to
Franchisee upon Franchisee's written request. Franchisor will have
the right, at
its option, to cause the Systemwide Advertising Fund to be incorporated
or
operated through an entity separate from Franchisor at such time
as Franchisor
deems appropriate, and such successor entity shall have all rights
and duties of
Franchisor pursuant to this Section 10.A.
34
Franchisee
understands and acknowledges that the Systemwide Advertising Fund
is intended to
promote recognition of the Marks, the System and UFood Outlets in
the United
States generally. Although Franchisor will endeavor to utilize the
Systemwide
Advertising Fund to develop advertising and marketing materials and
programs,
and to place advertising, in order to benefit all UFood Outlets that
contribute
to the Systemwide Advertising Fund, Franchisor undertakes no obligation
to
ensure that expenditures by the Systemwide Advertising Fund in or
affecting any
geographic area are proportionate or equivalent to the contributions
by UFood
Outlets operating in that geographic area or that any UFood Outlet
will benefit
directly or in proportion to its contribution from the development
of
advertising and marketing materials or the placement of advertising.
Franchisee
acknowledges that its failure to derive any such benefit will not
serve as a
basis for a reduction or elimination of its obligation to contribute
to the
Systemwide Advertising Fund. Franchisor has the right, but no obligation,
to use
collection agents and institute legal proceedings to collect Systemwide
Advertising Fund contributions at the Systemwide Advertising Fund's
expense.
Franchisor also may forgive, waive, settle and compromise all claims
by or
against the Systemwide Advertising Fund without affecting the obligations
of any
other contributor to the Systemwide Advertising Fund. Except as expressly
provided in this Section 10.A.,
Franchisor assumes no direct or indirect liability or obligation
to Franchisee
with respect to the maintenance, direction, or administration of
the Systemwide
Advertising Fund.
Franchisor
reserves the right, at any time and from time to time, to suspend
contributions
of one or more franchisees to, and operations of, the Systemwide
Advertising
Fund for such periods that it determines to be appropriate and to
terminate the
Systemwide Advertising Fund upon written notice to Franchisee. All
unspent
monies on the date of termination shall be distributed to Franchisor,
its
Affiliates and franchisees in proportion to their respective contributions
to
the Systemwide Advertising Fund during the preceding twelve (12) month
period. Franchisor has the right to reinstate the Systemwide Advertising
Fund
upon the same terms and conditions set forth herein upon thirty (30) days'
prior written notice to Franchisee.
10.B. ADVERTISING
BY FRANCHISEE.
Franchisee
must spend at least one and one-half percent (1½%) of the Outlet's Gross
Receipts each month on advertising, marketing and promoting the Outlet
on the
local level in accordance with the terms of this Agreement (the "Local
Marketing Spending Requirement").
The
following shall not count toward the Local Marketing Spending Requirement:
(1) monies spent on classified telephone directory listings,
advertisements, advertising and promotional expenses required under
the Lease,
and costs associated with customer discounts, coupons and similar
items;
(2) the cost of goods or services supplied by Franchisee without charge;
(3) amounts spent on Franchisee's behalf or reimbursed to Franchisee
by
distributors or suppliers; (4) amounts spent on grand opening marketing
pursuant to this Agreement; and (5) Systemwide Advertising Fund
contributions. Franchisor may periodically review Franchisee's books
and records
and/or require proof of compliance with this Subsection, and may
require
Franchisee to pay unspent portions to the Systemwide Advertising
Fund.
Prior
to
their use by Franchisee, samples of all advertising, marketing and
promotional
materials not prepared or previously approved by Franchisor shall
be submitted
to Franchisor for approval, in the form and manner prescribed by
Franchisor from
time to time. If approval is not granted by Franchisor within fifteen
(15) days
from the date Franchisor receives such materials, they shall be deemed
disapproved. Franchisee shall not use any advertising, marketing
or promotional
materials that Franchisor has not approved, has disapproved or that
do not
include the copyright registration notices and trademark registration
notices
designated by Franchisor. Franchisor may disapprove on a prospective
basis
materials that it had previously approved.
35
Franchisor
assumes no liability to Franchisee or any other Person due to its
approval or
disapproval of any advertising, marketing or promotional materials
or programs,
and Franchisee is responsible for ensuring that all such materials
and programs
that it uses and implements comply with all applicable laws, ordinances
and
regulations.
Franchisee
agrees to list and advertise the Outlet in each major classified
telephone
directory covering the Site in the business classifications Franchisor
periodically prescribes and, if Franchisor requires, using Franchisor's
standard
form of advertisement. Franchisee will, at its expense, cooperate
with
Franchisor, Franchisor's Affiliates, and other franchisees of Franchisor
and
Franchisor's Affiliates in any advertising campaign, sales or promotion
program,
or other special advertising or marketing activity in which Franchisor
may
engage or specify from time to time, including competitions, the
display of
point-of-service advertising, and the distribution of special novelties,
promotional literature, and the like.
10.C. REGIONAL/LOCAL
ADVERTISING COOPERATIVE.
Franchisor
reserves the right to require that Franchisee participate in a local
or regional
advertising cooperative for UFood Outlets in Franchisee's area. Franchisee
agrees to pay any contributions that Franchisor requires Franchisee
to make for
expenditures by such a local or regional cooperative or that may
be otherwise
approved by the cooperative, but such contributions will in no event
exceed one
and one-half percent (1½%) of the Gross Receipts of the Outlet. Franchisee's
contributions to any local or regional advertising cooperative shall
be due and
payable on the same terms as Franchisee's contributions to the Systemwide
Advertising Fund
Any
local
or regional advertising cooperative must be established, governed
and operated
in a manner that Franchisor approves. Franchisee agrees to sign any
documents
that Franchisor requires for Franchisee to become a participant in
the
cooperative and Franchisee agrees to participate in the cooperative
in
compliance with the rules, policies and procedures that Franchisor
has approved.
A cooperative and its members may not use any advertising or promotional
plans
without Franchisor's prior written consent. Franchisee's contributions
to such a
cooperative shall be counted toward Franchisee's Local Marketing
Spending
Requirement.
10.D. CUSTOMER
LOYALTY PROGRAM.
Franchisor’s
customer loyalty program is the cornerstone of Franchisor’s guest marketing
platform. Franchisor’s current loyalty program is the “In-the-Know” guest
rewards program. Franchisee acknowledges and agrees that the success
of
Franchisor’s loyalty program depends on active participation by Franchisee.
Therefore, Franchisee agrees to actively promote Franchisor’s loyalty program by
offering guests program applications at the Outlet in the restaurant
and
nutrition centers, in the expediting area and periodically during
guests’ dining
experience, in compliance with Franchisor’s policies and procedures as
Franchisor may modify and update them during the term of this Agreement.
Franchisee will also be required to inquire with each guest if he/she
has a
customer loyalty card at the point-of-sale at the Outlet. Furthermore,
Franchisee will participate in Franchisor’s guest communications (such as e-mail
offerings and direct mail offerings) in compliance with Franchisor’s policies
and procedures. As of the date of this Agreement, Franchisor requires
a minimum
of 12 such guest communications per calendar year. Franchisee will
also be
required to distribute and accept coupons mailed to the public periodically
during the term of this Agreement.
36
10.E.
|
PROMOTION
OF UFOOD LIFESTYLE GRILLE FRANCHISE SALES.
|
Franchisee
acknowledges and agrees that Franchisor may require Franchisee to
include
communications at the Outlet to promote the opportunity to become
a Franchisee
of a UFood Outlet.
10.F. FRANCHISE
SYSTEM WEBSITE.
At
Franchisor's option, Franchisor may establish one or more Websites
to advertise,
market, and promote UFood Outlets and the products and services that
they offer
and sell (each a "System
Website").
If
Franchisor establishes a System Website, Franchisor will reference
the Outlet in
the manner that Franchisor determines from time to time. Franchisee
must give
Franchisor the information that Franchisor requests from time to
time concerning
the Outlet to include on the System Website. By providing the information
to
Franchisor, Franchisee will be representing to Franchisor that it
is accurate
and not misleading and does not infringe any third party's rights.
Franchisor
will own all intellectual property and other rights in the System
Website, all
information contained on it and all information generated from it
(including the
domain name or URL, the log of "hits" by visitors, and any personal
or business
data that visitors supply).
If
Franchisor establishes a System Website, Franchisor shall have the
right to use
the Systemwide Advertising Fund's assets to develop, maintain and
update the
System Website. Franchisor periodically may update and modify the
System
Website. Franchisee must notify Franchisor whenever any information
on
Franchisee's listing changes or is not accurate. Franchisee acknowledges
that
Franchisor has final approval rights over all information on the
System Website.
Franchisor may implement and periodically modify System Standards
relating to
the System Website.
Franchisor
will reference the Outlet on the System Website only while Franchisee
is in full
compliance with this Agreement and all System Standards (including
those
relating to the System Website). If Franchisee is in default of any
obligation
under this Agreement or the System Standards, then Franchisor may,
in addition
to its other remedies, temporarily remove references to the Outlet
from the
System Website until Franchisee fully cures the default. Franchisor
may, at its
option, discontinue any or all System Websites at any time.
All
advertising, marketing and promotional materials that Franchisee
develops for
the Outlet must contain notices of the System Website's domain name
in the
manner Franchisor designates. Franchisee may not develop, maintain
or authorize
any other Website that mentions or describes Franchisee or the Outlet
or
displays any of the Marks. Franchisee may not conduct electronic
commerce or
directly or indirectly offer or sell any products or services using
any Website
or otherwise over the Internet.
37
Nothing
in this Section shall limit Franchisor's right to maintain websites
other than
the System Website.
11.
|
RECORDS,
REPORTS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
|
Franchisee
agrees to establish and maintain at its own expense a bookkeeping,
accounting,
and recordkeeping system conforming to the requirements and formats
Franchisor
prescribes from time to time. Franchisee shall adopt the calendar
year as its
fiscal year. Franchisor may require Franchisee to use a Computer
System and
Specified Software to maintain certain sales data and other information.
Franchisee agrees that Franchisor shall have access to the Computer
System and
Specified Software of the Outlet at all times and that Franchisor
shall have the
right to collect and retain from the Computer System and Specified
Software any
and all data concerning the Outlet at any time. Franchisee agrees
to give
Franchisor in the manner and format that it prescribes from time
to
time:
(a) on
or
before Tuesday of each week, a report on the Outlet's Gross Receipts,
F&B
Gross Receipts and Nutritional Products Gross Receipts during the
week ending on
the preceding Sunday;
(b) within
fifteen (15) days after the end of each calendar month, monthly profit
and loss
statements for the Outlet for the immediately preceding month and
a balance
sheet as of the end of the immediately preceding month;
(c) within
fifteen (15) days after the end of each calendar quarter, the operating
statements, financial statements, statistical reports, purchase records,
and
other information Franchisor requests regarding Franchisee and the
Outlet
covering the previous calendar quarter and the fiscal year to date;
(d) by
April
15th
of each
year, annual profit and loss and source and use of funds statements
and a
balance sheet for the Outlet as of the end of the prior calendar
year;
and
(e) within
ten (10) days after Franchisor's request, exact copies of federal
and state
income tax returns, sales tax returns, and any other forms, records,
books, and
other information Franchisor periodically requires relating to the
Outlet and
Franchisee.
Franchisee
agrees to verify and sign each report and financial statement in
the manner
Franchisor prescribes. Franchisor may disclose data derived from
these reports,
although Franchisor will not without Franchisee's consent (unless
required by
law) disclose Franchisee's identity in any materials that Franchisor
circulates
publicly.
Franchisee
agrees to preserve and maintain all records in a secure location
at the Outlet
for at least three (3) years (including, but not limited to, sales
checks,
purchase orders, invoices, payroll records, customer lists, check
stubs, sales
tax records and returns, cash receipts and disbursement journals,
and general
ledgers). Franchisor may require Franchisee to have audited financial
statements
prepared annually during the term of this Agreement.
38
12.
|
INSPECTIONS
AND AUDITS.
|
12.A. FRANCHISOR'S
RIGHT TO INSPECT THE OUTLET.
To
determine whether Franchisee and the Outlet are complying with this
Agreement
and all System Standards, Franchisor and/or its agents or representatives
shall
have the right, at any reasonable time and without prior notice to
Franchisee,
to: (1) inspect, monitor and test the Site, the Outlet, the Computer
System, Specified Software, and other Operating Assets of the Outlet,
whether at
the Outlet, remotely via the Computer System or by other means;
(2) inspect, observe, photograph and videotape the operations of the
Outlet
(including "mystery-shopping" and any Catering Service and Delivery
Service
provided by Franchisee) for such consecutive or intermittent periods
as
Franchisor deems necessary; (3) remove from the Outlet at no cost and/or
test samples of any food and beverage items, ingredients, Nutritional
Products
or other products; (4) interview personnel and customers of the Outlet; and
(5) inspect and copy any books, records, reports, computer databases
and
documents relating to the operation of the Outlet. Franchisee agrees
to
cooperate fully with Franchisor and/or its agents or representatives
in
connection with any such activities. Franchisee agrees that Franchisor
may
inspect and monitor electronically information concerning Franchisee's
sales and
Gross Receipts, and such other information as may be contained or
stored in the
Computer System and Specified Software.
Franchisee
acknowledges that Franchisor may conduct quality, service, cleanliness,
and
other inspections of the Outlet and Franchisee's operations from
time to time
without notice to Franchisee to determine compliance with this Agreement
and the
System Standards, and that performance meeting Franchisor's standards
in such
inspections is required hereunder. Franchisee shall present to its
customers
such evaluation forms as are periodically prescribed by Franchisor
and shall
participate and/or request its customers to participate in any surveys
performed
by or on behalf of Franchisor. Franchisor also may designate an independent
evaluation service to conduct a "mystery shopper" quality control
and evaluation
program or similar program with respect to any group or all UFood
Outlets.
Franchisee agrees that the Outlet will participate in any such programs,
as
prescribed and required by Franchisor. Franchisee agrees to timely
pay the then
current charges imposed by Franchisor or such evaluation service
for the
Outlet's participation in such program.
39
12.B. FRANCHISOR'S
RIGHT TO AUDIT.
Franchisor
and/or its agents or representatives shall have the right at any
time during
business hours, and without
prior notice to Franchisee, to inspect and audit, or cause to be
inspected and
audited, the business records, bookkeeping and accounting records,
computer
databases, tax records and returns, and other records of the Outlet
and of
Franchisee and the books and records of Franchisee if it is a corporation,
limited liability company or other business entity. Franchisee shall
fully
cooperate in connection with any such inspection or audit. In the
event any
inspection or audit shall disclose an understatement of the Outlet's
Gross
Receipts, Nutritional Products Gross Receipts or F&B Gross Receipts or an
underpayment of any fees or other amounts due under this Agreement
or any
related agreement, Franchisor shall be authorized to initiate immediately
a
debit to Franchisee's account for the amount due plus interest, via
electronic
funds transfer. Alternatively, at Franchisor's option, Franchisee
shall pay to
Franchisor, within fifteen (15) days after receipt of the inspection
or audit
report, the fees due on the amount of such understatement, plus interest
(at the
rate and on the terms provided for herein) from the date originally
due until
the date of payment. Further, in the event such inspection or audit
is made
necessary by the failure of Franchisee to furnish reports, supporting
records,
other information or financial statements as herein required, or
to furnish such
reports, records, information or financial statements on a timely
basis, or if
an understatement of Gross Receipts, Nutritional Products Gross Receipts
or
F&B Gross Receipts for the period of any audit is determined by any
such
audit or inspection to be greater than two percent (2%), Franchisee
shall
reimburse Franchisor for the cost of such inspection or audit, including
legal
fees and accountants' fees, and the travel expenses, room and board
and
applicable per diem charges for employees of Franchisor. The foregoing
remedies
shall be in addition to all other remedies and rights of Franchisor
hereunder or
under applicable law.
13.
|
TRANSFER.
|
13.A. BY
FRANCHISOR.
This
Agreement and any or all of Franchisor's rights and obligations hereunder
are
fully transferable by Franchisor and shall inure to the benefit of
any
transferee or other legal successor to the interests of Franchisor
herein.
Franchisor is free to transfer and assign all of its rights and obligations
under this Agreement to any Person, and upon such assignment, Franchisor
shall
have no further liability or obligation to Franchisee.
13.B. NONTRANSFERABILITY
OF CERTAIN RIGHTS.
Franchisee
understands, acknowledges and agrees (and hereby represents and warrants
to
Franchisor that its Owners understand and agree) that the rights
and duties
created by this Agreement are personal to Franchisee and its Owners
and that a
material cause for Franchisor's willingness to enter into this Agreement
is its
reliance upon the individual or collective character, skill, aptitude,
business
ability and financial capacity of Franchisee, its Owners and Persons
that
directly or indirectly have a Controlling Interest in Franchisee.
Therefore,
Franchisee agrees that:
(1) no
Controlling Interest in Franchisee or in any Person that directly
or indirectly
holds a Controlling Interest in Franchisee;
(2) no
obligations, rights or interest of Franchisee in (a) this Agreement,
(b) the Lease, (c) the Outlet or (d) all or substantially all of
the Operating Assets; and
(3) no
right
to receive all or a portion of Franchisee's or the Outlet's profits
or losses or
any capital appreciation relating to Franchisee of the Outlet
may
be
transferred without the prior written consent of Franchisor. This
restriction
shall not apply to the sale of inventory in the ordinary course of
business. A
transfer of all or substantially all of the Operating Assets may
be made
(subject to Franchisor's rights below) only with a transfer of this
Agreement
and the Lease. Any purported transfer in violation of this Section
shall
constitute a breach of this Agreement and shall convey to the transferee
no
rights or interests in the foregoing.
40
As
used
in this Agreement, the term "transfer"
shall
include the following, whether voluntary or involuntary, conditional,
direct or
indirect: (1) assignment, sale, gift or pledge; (2) the grant of a
mortgage, charge, lien or security interest, including the grant
of a collateral
assignment; (3) a merger, consolidation, exchange of shares or other
Ownership Interests, issuance of additional Ownership Interests or
securities
representing or potentially representing Ownership Interests, or
redemption of
Ownership Interests; (4) a sale or exchange of voting interests or
securities convertible to voting interests, or an agreement granting
the right
to exercise or control the exercise of the voting rights of any holder
of
Ownership Interests or to control the operations or affairs of Franchisee
or the
Outlet; and (5) except where specifically approved by Franchisor, a
management agreement whereby Franchisee delegates (i) any of its
obligations under this Agreement or (ii) any or all of the management
functions with respect to the Outlet or the business to be conducted
by
Franchisee pursuant to this Agreement. In addition to the foregoing,
a transfer
(as defined above) will include any transfer by virtue of (a) divorce;
(b) insolvency; (c) dissolution of a corporation, limited liability
company or other business entity; (d) will; (e) intestate succession;
(f) declaration of or transfer in trust; or (g) foreclosure,
attachment, seizure or otherwise by operation of law.
13.C. FRANCHISOR'S
RIGHT TO APPROVE TRANSFERS.
If
Franchisee or any Person intends to make a transfer of any interests
which,
under Section 13.B.,
requires Franchisor's prior written consent, Franchisee shall deliver
to
Franchisor written notice of such proposed transfer at least ninety
(90) days
prior to its intended effective date. Such notice shall describe
in detail the
proposed transfer (including the nature of the transfer, the nature
and amount
of the interests being transferred, the reason for the transfer,
the
consideration to be paid and the terms of payment of such consideration
and the
effective date) and shall identify and provide all pertinent background
information regarding the proposed purchaser. Franchisor shall have
thirty (30)
days from delivery of such notice within which to evaluate the proposed
transaction and to notify Franchisee of its approval or disapproval
(with
reasons) of the proposed transfer. If approved, the transfer must
take place in
full compliance with all applicable laws, as described in the notice
(as
modified by any conditions imposed by Franchisor in granting its
approval), and
within thirty (30) days of the delivery of notice of Franchisor's
approval. No
transfer by Franchisee, its Owner or any Person that directly or
indirectly
holds a Controlling Interest in Franchisee shall relieve the transferor
from any
obligations or liabilities to Franchisor or its Affiliates under
or relating to
this Agreement, whether arising before or after the effective date
of such
transfer.
Franchisee
agrees that it would be reasonable for Franchisor to disapprove any
proposed
transfer based on any and all reasonable factors, including the fact
that:
(1) the
proposed transfer is to a Competitive Business or to a direct or
indirect owner
of interests in a Competitive Business;
(2) Franchisee
and its Owners are not in full compliance with this Agreement;
41
(3) the
proposed transferee and, if applicable, any of its owners (a) are not of
good moral character, (b) do not have sufficient business experience,
aptitude and financial resources to operate the Outlet in accordance
with the
requirements of this Agreement, (c) otherwise fail to meet Franchisor's
then applicable standards for franchisees or owners of franchisees,
or
(d) are not in full compliance with an agreement between Franchisor and
them; or
(4) the
price
and terms of the proposed transfer are so burdensome as to adversely
affect or
have a potentially adverse affect on Franchisor's rights and interests
or
Franchisee's obligations under this Agreement.
13.D. CONDITIONS
FOR APPROVAL OF TRANSFERS.
In
granting its approval of a proposed transfer that requires Franchisor's
consent,
Franchisor may also impose certain reasonable conditions, including
any one or
more of the following:
(1) that
Franchisee, the transferring Owner or the proposed purchaser pay
a transfer fee
to Franchisor of Ten Thousand Dollars ($10,000), provided that this
amount will
be adjusted to an amount that is commensurate with such inflation
as has
occurred between the date hereof and the time of the proposed
transfer;
(2) that,
if
any part of the sale price is financed by the transferor, it agrees,
in a manner
satisfactory to Franchisor, that all obligations of the purchaser
under or
pursuant to any promissory notes, agreements or security interests
reserved by
the transferor be subordinate to any obligations of the purchaser
to pay amounts
then or thereafter due Franchisor and its Affiliates and all interests
of
Franchisor or its designee in connection with any right of first
refusal or
purchase option;
(3) that
the
purchaser and its owners execute any guarantees and other undertakings
then
being required by Franchisor of other franchisees or owners of franchisees
of
UFood Outlets;
(4) that
Franchisee, the transferring Owner and the transferee (if the transferee
is, or
is the owner of interests in, another area developer or franchisee
of Franchisor
or otherwise has a contractual relationship with Franchisor or any
of its
Affiliates) execute a general release and consent agreement, in form
satisfactory to Franchisor, of any and all claims against Franchisor
and its
Affiliates and their respective shareholders, officers, directors,
employees and
agents, for matters arising on or before the effective date of the
transfer;
(5) that
Franchisee or, if applicable, the transferring Owner execute a noncompetition
undertaking in favor of Franchisor and the transferee, which undertaking
shall
contain the restrictions in Section 16.D.
below
and apply for a period of eighteen (18) months commencing on the
effective date
of such transfer or the date upon which all Persons bound by such
undertaking
begin to comply fully with the terms of such undertaking, whichever
is later;
42
(6) that
Franchisee, the transferor and the transferee (if the transferee
is, or is the
owner of interests in, an area developer or franchisee of Franchisor
or
otherwise has a contractual relationship with Franchisor or any of
its
Affiliates) pay such Royalty Fees, Systemwide Advertising Fund contributions,
amounts owed for purchases by Franchisee or such transferee from
Franchisor and
its Affiliates, and all other amounts owed to Franchisor or its Affiliates,
which are then due and unpaid;
(7) that
any
new General Manager and other Management Personnel complete to Franchisor's
satisfaction Franchisor's initial management training program in
the operation
of a Outlet prior to the transfer at the time specified by Franchisor,
and that
the transferee pay Franchisor's then current standard training
charges;
(8) in
the
event of a transfer of this Agreement, that the transferee and its
owners agree,
in a manner satisfactory to Franchisor, at Franchisor's option, to
(a) be
bound by all terms and conditions of this Agreement for the remainder
of its
term or (b) execute Franchisor's then current form of standard franchise
agreement and such ancillary documents (including guarantees) as
are then
customarily used by Franchisor in the grant of franchises for UFood
Outlets,
which may contain fees, terms and conditions that are materially
different from
those contained in this Agreement, provided that such agreement shall
be for a
term equal to the remaining term of this Agreement;
(9) that
the
transferee and Franchisee acknowledge and agree that Franchisor's
approval of
the proposed transfer indicates only that the transferee meets, or
that
Franchisor has waived, the criteria established by Franchisor for
franchisees as
of the time of such transfer and does not constitute a warranty or
guaranty by
Franchisor, express or implied, of the suitability of the terms of
sale or of
the successful operation or profitability of the Outlet by the transferee;
and
(10) that
the
Franchisee, the transferor and the transferee execute an agreement,
in form
satisfactory to Franchisor, under which all parties agree to remain
jointly and
severally liable for all liabilities and obligations of the Franchisee
hereunder, whether accruing before or after the effective date of
the
transfer.
Subparagraph (1)
above
shall not apply to transfers by gift, bequest, or inheritance. Franchisee
acknowledges and agrees that the failure of any Person restricted
pursuant to
Subparagraph (5)
to
comply with this Section 13,
including the restrictions described in Subparagraph (5),
shall
constitute a breach of this Agreement.
43
13.E. DEATH
OR INCAPACITY OF FRANCHISEE.
If
Franchisee is an individual, upon the death of Franchisee or the
permanent
incapacity of Franchisee to conduct business affairs, or, if Franchisee
is a
corporation, limited liability company or other business entity,
upon the death
or permanent incapacity of the Managing Owner of Franchisee, all
of such
person's interest in this Agreement, or such interest in Franchisee,
shall be
transferred to a transferee approved by Franchisor. Such disposition
of this
Agreement or such interest in Franchisee (including transfer by bequest
or
inheritance) shall be completed within a reasonable time, not to
exceed nine (9)
months from the date of death or permanent disability, and shall
be subject to
all the terms and conditions applicable to transfers contained in
this Section.
Failure to so transfer the interest in this Agreement or such interest
in
Franchisee within said period of time shall constitute a breach of
this
Agreement.
Until
such disposition of this Agreement or such interest in Franchisee,
Franchisor
may, at its option, assume the management of the Outlet, for any
period of time
that Franchisor deems appropriate, on the terms and conditions set
forth in the
first paragraph of Section 15.D.
of this
Agreement.
13.F. PUBLIC
OR PRIVATE OFFERING.
Franchisee
acknowledges and agrees that it is the intent of both Franchisor
and Franchisee
that neither Franchisee nor any of its Affiliates, nor any Person
holding a
Controlling Interest in Franchisee, be or become, and Franchisee
covenants that
neither it nor any such Person shall be or become, a public company
or
"reporting company" (as defined in Sections 12(b), 12(g) or 15(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or otherwise), including
by way of
an initial public offering or transfer to or merger with an existing
public
company. Accordingly, Franchisee agrees that no Ownership Interests
in
Franchisee or any such other Person may be offered pursuant to a
public offering
or transferred to a public company or “reporting company.” Franchisee further
agrees that such Ownership Interests will not be offered pursuant
to a private
placement without the prior written consent of Franchisor. Franchisor
may impose
conditions on granting its consent to a private placement of Ownership
Interests
by Franchisee, including the conditions described in Sections 13.C
and
13.D.
and the
conditions that:
(1) such
private placement complies with all applicable federal, state and
local laws
governing offerings of securities and all applicable agreements between
Franchisee and Franchisor or its Affiliates, including each of the
relevant
transfer procedures, requirements, and limitations contained in this
Agreement;
(2) such
private placement does not result in any change in operating control
of
Franchisee or the Outlet or in the parties owning a Controlling Interest
in
Franchisee or the Outlet, or in the individual or individuals controlling
the
management, policies or decision-making power of Franchisee;
(3) each
such
entity or individual receiving Ownership Interests in such private
placement be
an accredited investor, as defined by applicable law, and shall have
been
identified and be reasonably acceptable to Franchisor; provided,
however, that
Franchisee may allow unaccredited investors to receive Ownership
Interests if
Franchisee has complied with applicable law with respect thereto;
44
(4) a
draft
of any offering memorandum or other information used in connection
with any such
private placement be submitted to Franchisor for review and comment
a reasonable
time prior to its use, that the reasonable comments and suggestions
of
Franchisor thereon are given due consideration and that a final version
of such
memorandum or information be provided to Franchisor at least five
(5) days prior
to its distribution to prospective investors;
(5) any
offering memorandum or information used in connection with any such
private
placement clearly identify that it is not an offering by Franchisor
and that
Franchisor has not participated in its preparation and has not supplied
any
financial information, projections, budgets, cost estimates, or similar
information contained therein, all of which shall be the sole responsibility
of
Franchisee;
(6) each
recipient of information relating to such private placement shall
agree to
maintain it in confidence;
(7) the
structure, timing, allocation and nature of such private placement
be reasonably
acceptable to Franchisor;
(8) Franchisee
or such other issuer not become a "reporting company" by virtue of
Sections
12(b), 12(g) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended;
and
(9) each
person who or entity which becomes an Owner as a result of such private
placement signs such guarantees and other undertakings that Franchisor
then
requires of owners of franchisees of UFood Outlets.
Franchisee
agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Franchisor Indemnified
Parties from
and against any and all costs, damages, expenses, claims, actions,
judgments and
liabilities (including costs and expenses related to legal defense)
arising from
or relating to any private placement described in this Section 13.F.
Franchisee also agrees to reimburse Franchisor for its reasonable
expenses
incurred in connection with any such private placement (including
attorney's
fees) and to comply with all requirements of Franchisor in connection
with such
offering, including adding appropriate disclaimers to the offering
documents and
execution of appropriate indemnification agreements.
13.G. EFFECT
OF CONSENT TO TRANSFER.
Franchisor's
consent to a transfer under this Section 13
shall
not constitute a waiver of any claims it may have against Franchisee
(or its
Owners), nor shall it be deemed a waiver of Franchisor's right to
demand full
compliance with any of the terms or conditions of this Agreement
by Franchisee
or the transferee. Franchisor's consent to any such transfer shall
not, unless
expressly provided in such consent, effect a release of Franchisee
(or its
Owners, as the case may be) following the transfer.
45
13.H. FRANCHISOR'S
RIGHT OF FIRST REFUSAL.
If
Franchisee or any of its Owners shall at any time determine to sell
an interest
in this Agreement, the Outlet, some or all of the Operating Assets
(other than
in the ordinary course of business) or an Ownership Interest in Franchisee,
Franchisee or its Owner(s) shall obtain a bona fide, arm's-length,
executed
purchase agreement (and any ancillary agreements) in complete and
definitive
form, not subject to any financing contingency or other material,
substantive
contingency (other than Franchisor's consent and waiver of its right
of first
refusal as described herein), and an xxxxxxx money deposit (in the
amount of
five percent (5%) or more of the purchase price) from a qualified,
responsible,
bona fide and fully disclosed purchaser. A true and complete copy
of such
purchase agreement and any proposed ancillary agreements shall immediately
be
submitted to Franchisor by Franchisee, such Owner(s) or both. The
purchase
agreement (1) must apply only to an interest which is permitted to be
transferred under this Agreement, (2) may not include the purchase of any
other property or rights of Franchisee (or such Owner(s)), and (3) must not
provide for any additional payments to be made, or any increase in
the amounts
payable, in the event Franchisor exercises its right of first refusal
hereunder.
The price and terms of purchase offered to Franchisee (or such Owner(s))
in the
purchase agreement for the aforementioned interests shall reflect
the bona fide
price offered therefor and shall not reflect any value for any other
property or
rights.
Franchisor
shall have the right, exercisable by written notice delivered to
Franchisee or
such Owner(s) within thirty (30) days from the date of receipt by
Franchisor of
an exact copy of such purchase agreement, together with payment of
any
applicable transfer fee and a completed and executed application
for
Franchisor's consent to transfer such interest, to purchase such
interest for
the price and on the terms and conditions contained in such purchase
agreement,
provided that: (i) Franchisor may substitute cash, a cash equivalent, or
marketable securities of equivalent value for any form of payment
proposed in
such purchase agreement; (ii) Franchisor's credit shall be deemed equal to
the credit of any proposed purchaser; and (iii) Franchisor shall have not
less than ninety (90) days to prepare for closing, subject to extension
at
Franchisor's option to enable Franchisor, Franchisee or other Person
to obtain
any necessary consent of a third party, including obtaining any necessary
permits and licenses. Regardless of whether included in the purchase
agreement,
Franchisor shall be entitled to all customary representations, warranties
and
indemnities given by the seller of a business, including indemnities
for all
actions, events and conditions that existed or occurred prior to
the closing in
connection with the Outlet, Franchisee's business or the assets or
Ownership
Interests being purchased and representations and warranties as to:
(1) ownership, condition and title to the Ownership Interests and/or
assets
being purchased; (2) absence of liens and encumbrances relating to such
Ownership Interests and/or assets; (3) validity of contracts; and
(4) liabilities, contingent or otherwise, of any legal entity whose
Ownership Interests or assets are purchased. At the closing, the
seller shall
provide to the purchaser good, valid, marketable, and indefeasible
title (or
equivalent rights) to all tangible and intangible property transferred,
free and
clear of any mortgage, claim, lien, or encumbrance, and local custom
shall be
followed as to formalities of any transfer documentation, closing
costs, and
closing logistics. If Franchisor exercises its right of first refusal,
Franchisee and/or such selling Owner(s) (and members of their respective
Immediate Families), as applicable, shall be bound by the restrictions
in
Section 16.D.
below
for a period of eighteen (18) months commencing on the effective
date of the
transfer or the date upon which all Persons bound by such restrictions
begin to
comply fully with such restrictions, whichever is later.
46
If
Franchisor does not exercise its right of first refusal, Franchisee
or such
Owner(s) may complete the sale to such purchaser pursuant to and
on the exact
terms of such purchase agreement, subject to Franchisor's approval
of the
transfer, as provided for in this Agreement. However, if the sale
to such
purchaser is not completed within one hundred twenty (120) days after
receipt of
such purchase agreement by Franchisor, or if there is a change in
the terms of
the sale (of which Franchisee shall promptly notify Franchisor),
Franchisor
shall have an additional right of first refusal for thirty (30) days
as set
forth herein on the modified or initial terms and conditions of sale,
at
Franchisor's option.
13.I. OWNERSHIP
STRUCTURE.
Franchisee
represents and warrants that its Owners are as set forth on Exhibit C
attached
to this Agreement and covenants that it will not permit the identity
of such
Owners, or their respective interests in Franchisee, to change without
complying
with this Agreement. Franchisee covenants further that it will execute
updated
copies of Exhibit
C to
reflect any changes in the information contained therein.
14.
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GRANT
OF SUCCESSOR FRANCHISE.
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14.A. FRANCHISEE'S
RIGHT TO A SUCCESSOR FRANCHISE.
Subject
to the provisions of Subsections B
and
C
of this
Section, upon expiration of the initial term of this Agreement, Franchisee
shall
have the right to obtain a successor franchise to continue to operate
the Outlet
under the System and the Marks (a "Successor
Franchise")
for up
to two (2) successor terms of five (5) years, provided that Franchisee
has met
the following conditions as of the end of the initial term or the
first
successor term (as applicable):
(1) Franchisee
and its Owners have complied in all material respects with this Agreement
during
the preceding term(s);
(2) Franchisee
and its Owners are then in full compliance with this Agreement;
(3) Franchisor
continues to maintain a franchise program for UFood Outlets in the
geographic
area surrounding the Site;
(4) Franchisee’s
general manager, assistant general manager and kitchen manager must
have
completed our then-current initial training program; and
(5) Franchisee
maintains possession of the Site and agrees (regardless of cost)
to remodel
and/or expand the Outlet, add or replace improvements and Operating
Assets, and
otherwise modify the Outlet and the Site to bring it into compliance
with System
Standards then applicable under new or successor franchises for UFood
Outlets;
or if Franchisee is unable to maintain possession of the Site, or
if, in the
judgment of Franchisor, the Outlet should be relocated within the
Territory,
Franchisee secures a substitute site within the Territory approved
by Franchisor
and agrees to develop expeditiously such substitute site in compliance
with
specifications and standards then applicable under new or successor
franchises
for UFood Outlets.
47
In
consideration of the grant of the Successor Franchise, Franchisee
shall pay to
Franchisor a successor franchise fee equal to twenty percent (20%)
of
Franchisor's then current standard initial franchise fee.
14.B. NOTICES.
Franchisee
shall give Franchisor written notice of its election to obtain a
Successor
Franchise not more than twenty-four (24) months, and not less than
twelve (12) months, prior to the expiration of this Agreement. Franchisor
agrees to give Franchisee written notice, not more than ninety (90)
days after
receipt of Franchisee's notice and all other information Franchisor
requests, of
Franchisor's determination (1) to grant Franchisee a Successor Franchise
pursuant to this Section; (2) to grant Franchisee a Successor Franchise on
the condition that Franchisee corrects existing deficiencies of the
Outlet or in
Franchisee's operation of the Outlet; or (3) not to grant Franchisee a
Successor Franchise based on Franchisor's determination that Franchisee
has not
qualified to obtain a Successor Franchise pursuant to Section 14.A
above.
If applicable, such notice shall (a) describe the remodeling, expansion,
improvements and/or modifications required to bring the Outlet and
the Operating
Assets into compliance with the then applicable System Standards
for new UFood
Outlets; and (b) state what actions Franchisee must take to correct the
deficiencies and time period in which such deficiencies must be corrected.
If
Franchisor elects not to grant Franchisee a Successor Franchise,
Franchisor
shall give Franchisee written notice of the decision not less than
ninety (90) days prior to the expiration of the initial term of this
Agreement; provided, however, that Franchisor need not give ninety
(90) days'
notice if its decision not to grant a Successor Franchise is due
to Franchisee's
breach of this Agreement during the ninety (90) day period before
it expires.
Such notice shall state the reasons for Franchisor's refusal to grant
a
Successor Franchise. In the event Franchisor fails timely to give
Franchisee any
notice required hereunder, Franchisor may extend the term of this
Agreement for
such period of time as is necessary in order to provide Franchisee
adequate
notice under the terms hereof. The grant of a Successor Franchise
shall be
conditioned upon Franchisee's continued compliance with all the terms
and
conditions of this Agreement and the conditions on obtaining a Successor
Franchise specified by Franchisor up to the date of expiration.
14.C. SUCCESSOR
FRANCHISE AGREEMENT/RELEASES.
To
obtain
a Successor Franchise, Franchisor, Franchisee and its Owners shall
execute the
form of franchise agreement and any ancillary agreements then customarily
used
by Franchisor in the grant of franchises for the operation of UFood
Outlets
(with appropriate modifications to the term and other appropriate
provisions to
reflect the fact that the agreement relates to a Successor Franchise),
which may
contain fees, terms and conditions that are materially different
from those
contained in this Agreement. Such agreement shall contain the successor
franchise fee provided for above, but shall not require payment of
an initial
franchise fee. Franchisee and its Owners further agree to execute
general
releases, in form satisfactory to Franchisor, of any and all claims
against
Franchisor and its Affiliates and their respective shareholders,
officers,
directors, employees, agents, successors and assigns. The franchise
agreement
for a Successor Franchise will not include any right to any further
renewal,
extension, or successor franchise rights. Failure by Franchisee and
its Owners
to sign and deliver to Franchisor such agreements and releases within
thirty
(30) days after delivery thereof to Franchisee shall be deemed an
election by
Franchisee not to obtain a Successor Franchise.
48
15.
|
TERMINATION
OF AGREEMENT.
|
15.A. BY
FRANCHISEE.
If
Franchisee and its Owners are in full compliance with this Agreement
and
Franchisor materially breaches this Agreement, and Franchisor does
not:
(1) correct
such breach within thirty (30) days after Franchisor's receipt of
written notice
from Franchisee specifically identifying the material breach; or
(2) undertake
within thirty (30) days after Franchisor's receipt of written notice
from
Franchisee specifically identifying the material breach, and continue
until
completion, reasonable efforts to cure such breach if such breach
cannot
reasonably be cured within thirty (30) days,
then
Franchisee may terminate this Agreement, at its option and without
waiving any
other rights (including the right to damages), effective thirty (30)
days after
Franchisor's receipt of written notice of termination. Any attempt
to terminate
this Agreement by Franchisee other than as provided in this Section 15.A.
shall be
a breach of this Agreement.
15.B. BY
FRANCHISOR.
Franchisor
may terminate this Agreement, at its option and without waiving any
other rights
(including the right to damages), effective upon delivery of notice
of
termination to Franchisee, if:
(1) Franchisee
fails to develop the Outlet in accordance with this Agreement and
commence
operation of business within the time period provided in this
Agreement;
(2) Franchisee
fails to operate, abandons, surrenders or transfers control of the
operation of
the Outlet for any period of twenty-four (24) hours or longer without
prior
written approval of Franchisor;
(3) Franchisee
or any of its Owners has made or makes any material misrepresentation
or
omission in the application for or acquisition of the rights under
this
Agreement, in materials submitted relating to a transfer, or in operating
the
Outlet or otherwise performing its obligations hereunder, including
with respect
to any Anti-Terrorism Laws, or has violated or violates any Anti-Terrorism
Laws
49
(4) Franchisee
or any of its Owners, or any of the Management Personnel, is convicted
by a
trial court of, or pleads guilty or no contest to, a felony, or to
another crime
or offense, or engages in any misconduct or behavior, that might
adversely
affect the reputation of Franchisee, the Outlet, any UFood Outlet,
or the
goodwill associated with the Marks;
(5) Franchisee
or any of its Owners makes a purported assignment or transfer in
violation of
this Agreement;
(6) Franchisee
(or any of its Owners or employees) makes any unauthorized use or
disclosure of
or duplicates any Confidential Information or any part of the Manuals,
makes any
unauthorized use of the Marks or challenges or seeks to challenge
the validity
of Franchisor's or its Affiliates' rights in and to the Marks or
the
Confidential Information;
(7) Franchisee
(or any of its Owners) applies for or otherwise obtains a registration
of any
Xxxx anywhere in the world;
(8) Franchisee's
General Manager or any other employee of Franchisee fails to complete
to
Franchisor's reasonable satisfaction any of the training required
pursuant to
this Agreement within thirty (30) days of the date on which Franchisor
gives
written notice to Franchisee of such delinquency, and either (i) such
failure results in a vacancy in a Management Personnel position or
other
position which, in the reasonable judgment of Franchisor, adversely
affects
Franchisee's ability to operate the Outlet in compliance with the
System
Standards and all other terms of this Agreement, or (ii) Franchisee fails
promptly to replace such General Manager or other employee with another
person
who has the qualifications required by this Agreement and is able
successfully
to complete the required training;
(9) Franchisee
loses the right to possession of the Site and does not relocate the
Outlet to
another Site pursuant to the terms of this Agreement;
(10) Franchisee
makes an assignment for the benefit of creditors or admits in writing
its
insolvency or inability to pay its debts generally as they become
due;
Franchisee consents to the appointment of a receiver, trustee, or
liquidator of
all or the substantial part of its property; the Outlet is attached,
seized,
subjected to a writ or distress warrant, or levied upon, unless the
attachment,
seizure, writ, warrant, or levy is vacated within thirty (30) days;
or any order
appointing a receiver, trustee, or liquidator of Franchisee or the
Outlet is not
vacated within thirty (30) days following the order's entry;
(11) Franchisee,
any of its Owners or any member of their Immediate Families (whether
or not
bound by individual noncompetition undertakings), or other Persons
who have
executed such individual undertakings, violate the restrictions in
this
Agreement with respect to Competitive Businesses or Confidential
Information;
50
(12) Franchisee
fails to: (a) report accurately the Outlet's Gross Receipts, Nutritional
Products Gross Receipts or F&B Gross Receipts; (b) make payments of any
amounts due Franchisor or its Affiliates for Royalty Fees, Systemwide
Advertising Fund contributions, purchases from Franchisor or its
Affiliates, or
any other amounts due; or (c) adhere to the Financing Plan in the form
approved by Franchisor, and in any such event does not correct such
failure
within ten (10) days after written notice of such failure is delivered
to
Franchisee;
(13) Franchisee
or any of its Owners fails on three (3) or more separate occasions
within any
period of twenty-four (24) consecutive months to comply with any
one or more
provisions of this Agreement (whether the same provision or different
provisions), whether or not such failures to comply are corrected
after notice
of default is given, or fails on two (2) or more separate occasions
within any
period of twelve (12) consecutive months to comply with the same
provision under
this Agreement, whether or not such failures to comply are corrected
after
notice of default is given;
(14) Franchisee
or any of its Owners fails to comply with any other provision of
this Agreement
or any mandatory System Standard, or to pass Franchisor's quality
control
inspection, and does not correct such failure within thirty (30)
days after
Franchisee's receipt of Franchisor's written notice of such failure
to
comply;
(15) any
license or permit necessary for the Outlet's proper operation is
suspended,
revoked or not renewed;
(16) Franchisee
violates any health, safety, environmental or sanitation law, ordinance
or
regulation, or operates the Outlet in an unsafe manner, and does
not immediately
begin to cure the violation, and correct the violation to Franchisor's
satisfaction within twenty-four (24) hours, after receiving written
notice
thereof;
(17) any
franchise agreement or other material agreement between Franchisor
(or any of
its Affiliates) and Franchisee (or any of its Affiliates), (but excluding
the
Development Agreement, if applicable) is terminated by any party,
excluding the
permanent closing of any UFood Outlets with the prior written approval
of
Franchisor; or
(18) Franchisee
has attempted to terminate this Agreement or any other franchise
agreement with
Franchisor without complying with Section
15.A.
of this
Agreement or the applicable section of such franchise agreement.
15.C. TERMINATION
OF CERTAIN RIGHTS OF FRANCHISEE.
If
Franchisor is entitled to terminate this Agreement in accordance
with
Section
15.B.,
Franchisor shall have the option to terminate any one or more of
the following
instead of terminating this Agreement:
(1) Franchisee's
right to participate in any conventions offered by Franchisor from
time to time;
51
(2) Franchisee's
right to provide Catering Services or Delivery Services; and
(3) any
exclusivity for the Territory granted under Section 2.B.
of this
Agreement,
effective
ten (10) days after delivery of written notice thereof to Franchisee.
If any of
such rights, options or arrangements are terminated in accordance
with this
Subsection, such termination shall be without prejudice to Franchisor's
right to
terminate this Agreement in accordance with Section 15.B.
or to
terminate any other rights, options or arrangements under this Agreement
at any
time thereafter for the same default or as a result of any additional
defaults
of the terms of this Agreement.
15.D. ASSUMPTION
OF MANAGEMENT.
Franchisor
has the right (but not the obligation), under the circumstances described
below
or in Section
13.E.,
to
enter the Site and assume the Outlet's management for any period
of time that
Franchisor deems appropriate. If Franchisor assumes the Outlet's
management
under Subparagraphs
(1)
and
(2)
below or
pursuant to Section 13.E.,
Franchisee must pay Franchisor (in addition to the Royalty Fees,
Systemwide
Advertising Fund contributions and other amounts due Franchisor)
One Thousand
Dollars ($1,000) per day, plus all direct out-of-pocket costs and
expenses
incurred by Franchisor, during this time. If Franchisor assumes the
Outlet's
management, Franchisee acknowledges that Franchisor will have a duty
to utilize
only reasonable efforts and will not be liable to Franchisee or its
Owners for
any debts, losses, or obligations the Outlet incurs, or to any of
Franchisee's
creditors for any supplies or other assets or services purchased
for the Outlet,
while Franchisor manages it. Franchisor has the unrestricted right
to assign its
rights under this Section 15.D.
Franchisor
may assume the Outlet's management under the following circumstances
or as
provided in Section 13.E.:
(1) if
Franchisee abandons or fails actively to operate the Outlet;
(2) if
Franchisee fails to comply with any provision of this Agreement or
any System
Standard and does not correct the failure within the time period
Franchisor
specifies in its notice to Franchisee; or
(3) if
this
Agreement expires or is terminated and Franchisor is deciding whether
to
exercise its option to purchase the Outlet's assets under Section
16.F.
below.
Franchisor's
exercise of its rights under Subparagraphs
(1)
or
(2)
above
will not affect its right to terminate this Agreement under Section
15.B.
above.
52
15.E. EFFECT
OF TERMINATION.
Any
provision of this Agreement to the contrary notwithstanding, the
termination of
this Agreement shall not affect the rights of the terminating party
with respect
to any damages it has suffered as a result of any breach of this
Agreement, nor
shall it affect the rights of either party with respect to liabilities
or claims
accrued, or arising out of events occurring prior to, the effective
date of
termination. Neither the right of termination, nor the right to xxx
for damages
or any other remedy available to either party hereunder, shall be
exclusive of
any other remedy given hereunder or now or hereafter existing at
law or in
equity.
16.
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RIGHTS
AND OBLIGATIONS OF FRANCHISOR AND FRANCHISEE UPON TERMINATION
OR
EXPIRATION OF THE AGREEMENT.
|
16.A. PAYMENT
OF AMOUNTS OWED.
Franchisee
shall immediately pay to Franchisor and its Affiliates upon termination
or
expiration of this Agreement for any reason such Royalty Fees, Systemwide
Advertising Fund contributions, amounts owed for purchases by Franchisee,
interest due on any of the foregoing, and all other amounts owed
to Franchisor
or its Affiliates which are then unpaid, whether or not attributable
to the
Outlet.
16.X. XXXXX
AND TRADE DRESS.
Upon
the
termination or expiration of this Agreement for any reason (without
grant of a
Successor Franchise), Franchisee and its Owners shall:
(1) except
in
connection with other UFood Outlets operated pursuant to effective
franchise
agreements with Franchisor, immediately cease use of all the Marks
and Trade
Dress and not thereafter directly or indirectly at any time or in
any manner
identify itself or any business as a current or former UFood Outlet,
or as a
current or former franchisee of or as otherwise associated with Franchisor,
or
use any Xxxx or Trade Dress, any colorable imitation thereof or any
xxxx or
trade dress substantially identical to or deceptively similar to
any Xxxx or
Trade Dress in any manner or for any purpose, or utilize for any
purpose any
trade name, trademark or service xxxx, or other commercial symbol
or trade dress
that suggests or indicates a connection or association with
Franchisor;
(2) immediately
remove from the Site all signs containing any Xxxx, remove the Marks
from all
vehicles, fixtures, furnishings, decor items and other objects displaying
any
Xxxx at the Site, and return to Franchisor or destroy all signs,
packaging
materials and forms, advertising and promotional materials, menus,
paper goods,
catalogs, invoices and other materials containing any Xxxx or otherwise
identifying or relating to a UFood Outlet;
(3) immediately
take such action as may be required to cancel or, at Franchisor's
option, to
transfer to Franchisor or its designee, all fictitious or assumed
name or
equivalent registrations relating to its use of any Xxxx;
53
(4) immediately
take all such actions as may be necessary to transfer any telephone
number and
any telephone directory listings associated with the Marks to Franchisor
or its
designee. Franchisee acknowledges that, as between Franchisor and
Franchisee,
Franchisor has the sole right to and interest in all telephone numbers
and
directory listings associated with the Marks. Concurrently with the
execution of
this Agreement, Franchisee shall execute Franchisor's form of collateral
assignment of telephone numbers and listings (the "Telephone
Number Assignment")
attached to this Agreement as Exhibit G.
Franchisee acknowledges and agrees that the telephone company and
all listing
agencies may accept the Telephone Number Assignment as conclusive
evidence of
the exclusive right of the Franchisor in such telephone numbers and
directory
listings and its authority to direct their transfer; and
(5) if
Franchisor does not purchase the assets of the Outlet as provided
in
Section 16.F.,
at
Franchisee's expense, immediately make such modifications and alterations,
including removal of all distinctive physical and structural features
associated
with the Trade Dress or UFood Outlets, as may be necessary to distinguish
the
Site and the Outlet so clearly from its former appearance and from
other UFood
Outlets as to prevent any possibility that the public will associate
the Site
with UFood Outlets and to prevent confusion created by such association.
At a
minimum, such changes and modifications to the Outlet will include:
(a) repainting, and, where applicable, recovering both the exterior and
interior of the Outlet with different colors, including removing
distinctive
colors and designs from the walls; (b) removing all Trade Dress, fixtures
and other decor items and replacing them with other items not of
the general
type and appearance customarily used in a UFood Outlet; and (c) removing
all exterior and interior signage bearing any Xxxx. If Franchisee
fails to
initiate immediately or complete such modifications, alterations
and/or removals
within such time as Franchisor deems appropriate, Franchisee agrees
that
Franchisor or its designated agents may enter the Outlet and adjacent
areas,
without prior notice, to make such modifications, alterations and/or
removals,
at Franchisee's expense, without liability for trespass or damages.
Franchisee
expressly acknowledges that its failure to make such alterations
will cause
irreparable injury to Franchisor and consents to entry, at Franchisee's
expense,
of an ex-parte order by any court of competent jurisdiction authorizing
Franchisor or its agents to take such action, if Franchisor seeks
such an
order.
Franchisee
shall furnish to Franchisor (i) within thirty (30) days after the effective
date of termination or expiration, evidence satisfactory to Franchisor
of
Franchisee's compliance with Subparagraphs (1),
(3)
and
(4)
of the
foregoing obligations, and (ii) within thirty (30) days after the later of
expiration of Franchisor's option to purchase the Outlet, as provided
in this
Section, or receipt of notice that Franchisor elects not to purchase
the Outlet
pursuant to this Section, evidence satisfactory to Franchisor of
Franchisee's
compliance with all of the foregoing obligations. If Franchisor exercises
its
option to purchase the Outlet under this Section, Franchisor shall
direct
Franchisee regarding which, if any, of the above requirements Franchisee
shall
observe.
16.C. CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION.
Franchisee
agrees that upon termination or expiration of this Agreement for
any reason
(without grant of a Successor Franchise):
54
(1) it,
and
all of its Affiliates, Owners, employees, agents and other representatives,
will
immediately cease to use, and will maintain the absolute confidentiality
of, any
Confidential Information and will refrain from using such Confidential
Information in any business or otherwise; and
(2) it
will
return to Franchisor all copies of the Manuals and any other confidential
materials which have been loaned or made available to it by
Franchisor.
16.D. COVENANT
NOT TO COMPETE.
Upon
expiration or termination of this Agreement for any reason (without
grant of a
Successor Franchise), other than pursuant to Section 15.A.,
neither
Franchisee nor any of its Owners shall directly or indirectly (through
a member
of the Immediate Family of Franchisee or a Owner or otherwise), for
a period of
eighteen (18) months commencing on the effective date of such termination
or
expiration, or the date on which all persons bound by this Subsection
begin
complying fully with this Subsection, whichever is later:
(1) have
any
controlling or non-controlling interest as a record or beneficial
owner in any
Competitive Business located or operating: (a) at the Site; (b) within
a five (5) mile radius of the Site; (c) within a five (5) mile radius of
any other UFood Outlet in operation or under development on the effective
date
of termination or expiration of this Agreement; or (d) within the Territory
or within five (5) miles of the boundary of the Territory, provided
that the
restrictions contained in this paragraph 16.D(1) shall not be applicable to
the ownership of shares of a class of securities listed on a stock
exchange or
traded on the over-the-counter market and quoted on a national inter-dealer
quotation system that represent less than one-half percent (0.5%)
of the number
of shares of that class of securities issued and outstanding;
(2) perform
services as a director, officer, manager, employee, consultant, representative,
agent or otherwise for any Competitive Business located or operating:
(a) at the Site; (b) within a five (5) mile radius of the Site;
(c) within a five (5) mile radius of any other UFood Outlet in operation
or
under development on the effective date of termination or expiration
of this
Agreement; or (d) within the Territory or within five (5) miles of the
boundary of the Territory;
(3) directly
or indirectly loan any money or other thing of value to, guaranty
any loan to,
lease any personal or real property to, or permit the use of its
name in
connection with, any Competitive Business located or operating: (a) at the
Site; (b) within a five (5) mile radius of the Site; (c) within a five
(5) mile radius of any other UFood Outlet in operation or under development
on
the effective date of termination or expiration of this Agreement;
or
(d) within the Territory or within five (5) miles of the boundary of
the
Territory;
(4) divert
or
attempt to divert any actual or potential business or customers of
any UFood
Outlet to any Competitive Business, wherever located or operating;
or
55
(5) employ
or
seek to employ any individual who is employed by Franchisor, its
Affiliate or
any developer or franchisee of a UFood Outlet, or otherwise directly
or
indirectly induce or attempt to induce any such individual to leave
said
employment, without the prior written consent of such individual's
employer.
Without
limiting the foregoing, and in addition to any other remedies Franchisor
may
have under this Agreement, if Franchisee or any Affiliate of Franchisee
should
hire an individual who, at the time of such hiring, is employed by
Franchisor or
one of its Affiliates and whose duties include training, Franchisee
shall
promptly pay to Franchisor as liquidated damages an amount equal
to the then
current annual salary of the individual as reflected in the personnel
records of
Franchisor or its Affiliate, as applicable. Franchisee acknowledges
and agrees
that Franchisor makes a substantial investment in its training personnel
and
that the aforementioned liquidated damages are a reasonable estimate
of the
actual damages which would be incurred by Franchisor or its
Affiliate.
16.E. CONTINUING
OBLIGATIONS.
All
obligations of Franchisor and Franchisee which expressly or by their
nature
survive or are intended to survive the expiration or termination
of this
Agreement shall continue in full force and effect subsequent to and
notwithstanding its expiration or termination and until they are
satisfied in
full or by their nature expire.
16.F. FRANCHISOR'S
RIGHT TO PURCHASE ASSETS OF THE OUTLET.
Upon
expiration or termination of this Agreement for any reason (without
the grant of
a Successor Franchise), other than pursuant to Section 15.A.,
Franchisor or its assignee shall have the option, exercisable by
giving written
notice thereof within sixty (60) days from the date of such expiration
or
termination, to purchase from Franchisee and/or any of its Affiliates,
as
applicable, any or all of the assets used in the Outlet. As used
in this
Paragraph, "assets"
shall
mean and include leasehold improvements, Operating Assets, Nutritional
Products,
inventory, ingredients, materials and supplies, and the Lease (or,
if Franchisee
or its Affiliate owns the Site, the assets shall include the Site);
provided,
however, that Franchisor may exclude from the assets so purchased
any assets
which do not meet Franchisor's then current System Standards for
new UFood
Outlets. Franchisor shall have the unrestricted right to assign this
option to
purchase.
At
its
option, Franchisor may exercise its option to purchase the assets
under this
Subsection on a conditional basis, subject to completion to Franchisor's
satisfaction of any due diligence, inspection or tests that Franchisor
designates. Franchisee shall cooperate fully with Franchisor and
its
representatives in connection with any such due diligence, inspections
and
tests. Within sixty (60) days after delivering its written notice
to
conditionally exercise its option to purchase the assets under this
Subsection,
Franchisor shall notify Franchisee of its decision (1) to proceed with the
purchase of the assets, or (2) to cancel its purchase of the assets for any
reason that Franchisor deems appropriate. Franchisor or its assignee
shall be
entitled to all customary indemnities, warranties and representations
given by
the seller of a business in connection with its asset purchase, including
indemnities for all actions, events and conditions that existed or
occurred
prior to the closing of the purchase in connection with the Outlet
or
Franchisee's business and representations and warranties as to:
(1) ownership, condition and title to assets; (2) absence of liens and
encumbrances relating to the assets; (3) validity of contracts; and
(4) liabilities, contingent or otherwise, affecting the
assets.
56
The
purchase price for the assets shall be equal to their fair market
value,
provided that the purchase price shall take into account the termination
or
expiration of this Agreement and shall not contain any factor or
increment for
any trademark, service xxxx or other commercial symbol used in connection
with
the operation of the Outlet or any goodwill or "going concern" value
for the
Outlet.
If
Franchisor and Franchisee cannot agree on the fair market value of
the assets to
be purchased, fair market value will be determined by three (3) independent
appraisers, each of whom will conduct a separate appraisal and, in
doing so, be
bound by the terms of this Subsection concerning the purchase price.
Franchisor
will appoint one appraiser, Franchisee will appoint one appraiser,
and the two
appraisers will appoint the third appraiser. Franchisor and Franchisee
shall
select their respective appraisers within fifteen (15) days after
Franchisor
notifies Franchisee that Franchisor wishes to exercise its purchase
option (if
Franchisor and Franchisee have not agreed on fair market value before
then) and
the two appraisers so chosen shall be obligated to appoint the third
appraiser
within fifteen (15) days after they have both been appointed. Franchisor
and
Franchisee will each bear the cost of its own appraiser and share
equally the
fees and expenses of the third appraiser. The appraisers must complete
their
appraisals within thirty (30) days after the third appraiser's appointment.
The
purchase price to be paid will be the median of the fair market values
determined by the three (3) appraisers.
The
purchase price shall be paid in cash, a cash equivalent, or marketable
securities of equivalent value at the closing of the purchase, which
shall take
place no later than ninety (90) days after receipt by Franchisee
of notice of
exercise of this option to purchase, at which time Franchisee shall
deliver
instruments transferring to Franchisor or its designee: (i) good, valid,
marketable and indefeasible title (or equivalent rights) to the assets
purchased, free and clear of any mortgage, claim, lien or encumbrance
(other
than liens and security interests acceptable to Franchisor or its
designee),
with all sales and other transfer taxes paid by Franchisee; (ii) all
licenses and permits of the Outlet which may be assigned or transferred;
and
(iii) the Lease or fee interest in the Site. Local custom shall be followed
as to formalities of any transfer documentation, closing costs and
closing
logistics. In the event that Franchisee cannot deliver clear title
to all of the
purchased assets as aforesaid, or in the event there shall be other
unresolved
issues, the closing of the sale shall be accomplished through an
escrow.
Further, Franchisee and Franchisor shall, prior to closing, comply
with all
applicable legal requirements, including the bulk sales provisions
of the
Uniform Commercial Code of the state in which the Outlet is located
(if any) and
the notification and other provisions of any applicable tax laws
and regulations
applying to bulk transfers outside of the ordinary course of business.
Franchisee shall, prior to or simultaneously with the closing of
the purchase,
pay all tax liabilities incurred in connection with the operation
of the Outlet.
Franchisor shall have the right to set off against and reduce the
purchase price
by any and all amounts owed by Franchisee to Franchisor or its Affiliates,
and
the amount of any encumbrances or liens against the assets or any
obligations
assumed by Franchisor or its designee.
57
If
Franchisor or its designee exercises this option to purchase, pending
the
closing of such purchase, Franchisor shall have the right to appoint
a manager
to maintain the operation of the Outlet pursuant to Section
15.D.
Alternatively, Franchisor may require Franchisee to close the Outlet
during such
time period without removing any assets from the Outlet. Franchisee
shall
maintain in force all insurance policies required pursuant to this
Agreement
through the date of closing. If the Site is leased, Franchisor will
indemnify
and hold harmless Franchisee from any ongoing liability under the
Lease from the
date Franchisor assumes possession of the Site.
17.
|
RELATIONSHIP
OF THE PARTIES/INDEMNIFICATION.
|
17.A. INDEPENDENT
CONTRACTORS.
It
is
understood and agreed by the parties hereto that this Agreement does
not create
a fiduciary relationship between them, that Franchisor and Franchisee
are and
shall be independent contractors, and that nothing in this Agreement
is intended
to make either party a general or special agent, joint venturer,
partner, or
employee of the other for any purpose. Franchisee shall conspicuously
identify
itself in all dealings with customers, suppliers, vendors, public
officials,
Franchisee personnel, and others as the owner of the Outlet under
a franchise
granted by Franchisor and shall conspicuously and prominently place
such other
notices of independent ownership on the Site and on such forms, menus,
guest
checks, employment applications, business cards, stationery, advertising,
and
other materials as Franchisor may require from time to time.
17.B. NO
LIABILITY FOR ACTS OF OTHER PARTY.
Franchisee
shall not employ any of the Marks in signing any contract, application
for any
license or permit, or in a manner that may result in liability of
Franchisor or
its Affiliates for any indebtedness or obligation of Franchisee.
Except as
expressly authorized in writing, neither Franchisor nor Franchisee
shall make
any express or implied agreements, warranties, guarantees or representations,
or
incur any debt, in the name of or on behalf of the other, or represent
that
their relationship is other than franchisor and franchisee, and neither
Franchisor nor Franchisee shall be obligated by or have any liability
under any
agreements or representations made by the other that are not expressly
authorized in writing. Franchisor shall not be obligated for any
damages to any
person or property directly or indirectly arising out of the operation
of the
Outlet or Franchisee's business under this Agreement.
17.C. TAXES.
Franchisor
shall have no liability for any sales, use, service, occupation,
excise, gross
receipts, income, property, payroll, employee withholding or other
taxes,
whether levied upon this Agreement, Franchisee, the Outlet or Franchisee's
property, or upon Franchisor, in connection with the sales made or
business
conducted by Franchisee, except any taxes Franchisor is required
by law to
collect from Franchisee with respect to purchases from Franchisor
and
Franchisor's income taxes. Payment of all such taxes shall be the
responsibility
of Franchisee.
58
17.D. INDEMNIFICATION
OF FRANCHISOR.
Franchisee
agrees to indemnify, defend and hold Franchisor and the other Franchisor
Indemnified Parties harmless against, and to reimburse them for,
any and all
taxes described in Section 17.C.
and any
and all claims against, and losses, obligations, damages and expenses
incurred
by, any one or more of the Franchisor Indemnified Parties directly
or indirectly
arising out of:
(1) this
Agreement or the development or operation of the Outlet, including
any breach or
violation of any agreement, contract or commitment by Franchisee
resulting from
Franchisee's execution and delivery of this Agreement or performance
of any of
its obligations hereunder or liabilities asserted by Owners, employees,
agents
or other representatives of Franchisee arising in connection with
training
provided by Franchisor, its Affiliates or designees or otherwise;
(2) unauthorized
activities conducted in association with the Marks;
(3) any
occurrence at the Site, whether associated with the operation of
the Outlet or
otherwise; or
(4) the
transfer of any interest in this Agreement, the Outlet, some or all
of the
assets of the Outlet or Franchisee in any manner not in accordance
with this
Agreement.
For
purposes of this indemnification, "claims"
shall
mean and include all obligations, actual, incidental, consequential,
special,
and punitive damages, and costs incurred in the defense or settlement
of any
claim, including reasonable accountants', attorneys', attorney assistants',
arbitrators' and expert witness fees, costs of investigation and
proof of facts,
court costs, travel and living expenses, and any other expenses of
litigation,
arbitration or alternative dispute resolution, regardless of whether
litigation,
arbitration or alternative dispute resolution is commenced. Franchisor
and the
other Franchisor Indemnified Parties shall have the right to defend
any such
indemnified claim against them in such manner as Franchisor deems
appropriate or
desirable, and Franchisee may not settle any claim or take any other
remedial,
corrective or similar actions relating to a claim without Franchisor's
consent.
This indemnity shall continue in full force and effect subsequent
to and
notwithstanding the expiration or termination of this Agreement.
A Franchisor
Indemnified Party need not seek recovery from an insurer or other
third party,
or otherwise mitigate its losses or expenses, in order to maintain
and recover
fully a claim against Franchisee.
18.
|
GENERAL
PROVISIONS.
|
18.A. ARBITRATION.
Franchisor
and Franchisee agree that all controversies, disputes, or claims
between
Franchisor and its affiliates, and its and their respective owners,
officers,
managers, agents, and employees, as applicable, and Franchisee (and
its owners,
guarantors, affiliates, and employees, as applicable) arising out
of or related
to:
59
(1) this
Agreement or any other agreement between Franchisee and Franchisor;
(2) Franchisor's
relationship with Franchisee;
(3) the
scope
and validity of this Agreement or any other agreement between Franchisee
and
Franchisor or any provision of any such agreement, including the
validity and
scope of the arbitration obligation under this Section, which Franchisor
and
Franchisee acknowledge are to be determined by the arbitrator and
not by a
court; or
(4) any
System Standard;
must
be
submitted for binding arbitration, on demand of either party, to
the American
Arbitration Association. The arbitration proceedings will be conducted
by one
arbitrator and, except as this subsection otherwise provides, according
to the
then current commercial arbitration rules of the American Arbitration
Association. All proceedings will be conducted at a suitable location
chosen by
the arbitrator which is within five (5) miles of Franchisor's then
existing
principal business address. All matters relating to arbitration will
be governed
by the Federal Arbitration Act (9 U.S.C. Sections 1 et seq.)
and not
by any state arbitration law. Judgment upon the arbitrator’s award may be
entered in any court of competent jurisdiction.
The
arbitrator has the right to award or include in his or her award
any relief
which he or she deems proper in the circumstances, including, without
limitation, money damages (with interest on unpaid amounts from the
date due),
specific performance, injunctive relief, and attorneys’ fees and costs, provided
that the arbitrator may not declare any xxxx generic or otherwise
invalid and,
except as Section 18.G.
otherwise provides, Franchisor and Franchisee (and the Owners) waive
any right
to or claim for any exemplary or punitive damages. The arbitrator’s award and
decision shall be conclusive and binding upon all parties.
Franchisor
and Franchisee agree to be bound by the provisions of any limitation
on the
period of time in which claims must be brought under applicable law
or this
Agreement, whichever expires earlier. Franchisor and Franchisee further
agree
that, in any arbitration proceeding, each party must submit or file
any claim
which would constitute a compulsory counterclaim (as defined by the
Federal
Rules of Civil Procedure) within the same proceeding as the claim
to which it
relates. Any claim which is not submitted or filed as required is
forever
barred. The arbitrator may not consider any settlement discussions
or offers
that might have been made by either Franchisee or Franchisor. Franchisor
reserves the right, but has no obligation, to advance any portion
of your share
of the costs of any arbitration proceeding in order for such arbitration
proceeding to take place and by doing so shall not be deemed to have
waived or
relinquished its right to seek the recovery of those costs in accordance
with
Section 18.F above.
60
Franchisor
and Franchisee agree that arbitration will be conducted on an individual,
not a
class-wide, basis, and that an arbitration proceeding between Franchisor
and its
affiliates, and its and their respective owners, officers, managers,
agents, and
employees, as applicable, and Franchisee (and the Owners, and Franchisor's
guarantors, affiliates, and employees, as applicable) may not be
commenced,
conducted, consolidated or combined in any way with any other arbitration
proceeding or claim between us and any other Person. Notwithstanding
the
foregoing or anything to the contrary in this Section 18, if any
court or
arbitrator determines that all or any part of the preceding sentence
is
unenforceable with respect to a dispute that otherwise would be subject
to
arbitration under this Section 18.A., then all parties agree that
this
arbitration clause shall not apply to that dispute and that such
dispute shall
be resolved in a judicial proceeding in accordance with this Section
18
(excluding this Section 18.A.).
Despite
this agreement to arbitrate, Franchisor and Franchisee each have
the right in a
proper case to seek temporary restraining orders and temporary or
preliminary
injunctive relief from a court of competent jurisdiction; provided,
however,
that they must contemporaneously submit the dispute for arbitration
on the
merits as provided in this subsection.
The
provisions of this subsection are intended to benefit and bind certain
third
party non-signatories and will continue in full force and effect
subsequent to
and notwithstanding this Agreement’s expiration or termination.
If
either
party commences any legal action or proceeding in any court in contravention
of
the terms of this Section 18.A.,
that
party shall pay all costs and expenses that the other party incurs
in the action
or proceeding, including, without limitation, reasonable attorneys’ and related
fees.
18.B. SPECIFIC
ENFORCEMENT.
Each
party to this Agreement agrees that this Section 18
shall be
specifically enforceable against such party by the other parties.
The provisions
of this Section
18
are
intended to benefit and bind third party non-signatories and shall
continue in
full force and effect subsequent to and notwithstanding the expiration
and
termination of this Agreement.
18.C. GOVERNING
LAW.
Except
to
the extent governed by the Federal Arbitration Act (9 U.S.C. Sections 1
et seq.),
the
United States Trademark Act of 1946 (Xxxxxx Act, 15 U.S.C. Sections 1051
et seq.)
or
other federal law, this Agreement, the rights and obligations of
the parties
hereto and the relationship of the parties hereto shall, by this
express
agreement of the parties, be governed by, and construed and enforced
in
accordance with, the laws of the State of Nevada, without regard
to its
conflicts of law provisions, except that any Nevada law regulating
the offer and
sale of franchises, business opportunities or similar rights, or
governing the
relationship of the parties to a contract involving those rights,
shall not
apply unless its jurisdictional requirements are met independently
without
reference to this paragraph.
61
18.D. INJUNCTIVE
RELIEF.
Notwithstanding
anything to the contrary contained in Section 18.A
hereof,
Franchisor and Franchisee each have the right in a proper case to
seek temporary
restraining orders and temporary or preliminary injunctive relief
from a court
of competent jurisdiction, provided that they must contemporaneously
submit for
arbitration on the merits any Dispute required to be arbitrated pursuant
to
Section 18.A.
Franchisee and its Affiliates, and their respective officers, directors,
owners,
employees, agents and representatives, agree to entry without bond
of temporary
and permanent injunctions and orders of specific performance enforcing
any of
the provisions of this Agreement. If Franchisor secures any such
injunction or
order of specific performance, Franchisee further agrees to pay Franchisor
an
amount equal to the aggregate of its costs of obtaining any such
relief,
including reasonable attorneys' fees, costs of investigation and
proof of facts,
court costs, other litigation expenses and travel and living expenses,
and any
damages incurred by Franchisor as a result of any breach.
18.E. CONSENT
TO JURISDICTION.
Subject
to the arbitration provisions of this Agreement and the provisions
below,
Franchisee and the Owners agree that all litigation proceedings arising
under
this Agreement or otherwise as a result of the relationship between
Franchisee
and Franchisor must be commenced in the state, and in the state or
federal court
of general jurisdiction closest to, where Franchisor's principal
office then is
located, and Franchisee (and the Owners) irrevocably submit to the
jurisdiction
of those courts and waive any objection Franchisee (or the Owners)
might have to
either the jurisdiction of or venue in those courts. Nonetheless,
you and the
Owners agree that Franchisor may enforce this Agreement and any arbitration
orders and awards in the courts of the state or states in which Franchisee
is
domiciled or the Outlet is located.
18.F. COSTS
AND ATTORNEYS' FEES.
If
Franchisor incurs expenses due to Franchisee's failure to pay when
due amounts
owed to Franchisor, to submit when due any reports, information,
or supporting
records, or otherwise to comply with this Agreement, Franchisee agrees,
whether
or not Franchisor initiates a legal proceeding, to reimburse Franchisor
for all
of the costs and expenses incurred by Franchisor, including, without
limitation,
reasonable accounting, attorneys’, arbitrators’, and related fees.
18.G. WAIVER
OF PUNITIVE DAMAGES AND JURY TRIAL.
Except
in
connection with claims by third parties for which a party is entitled
to
indemnification pursuant to this Agreement and claims Franchisor
brings against
Franchisee for unauthorized use of the Marks or unauthorized use
or disclosure
of any Confidential Information, Franchisor and Franchisee waive
to the fullest
extent permitted by law any right to or claim for any multiple, punitive
or
exemplary damages against the other and agree that, in the event
of a dispute
between them, the party making a claim will be limited to equitable
relief and
to recovery of any actual damages it sustains. Franchisor and Franchisee
irrevocably waive trial by jury in any action, proceeding, or counterclaim,
whether at law or in equity, brought by either of them.
18.H. LIMITATION
OF CLAIMS.
Except
for claims arising from Franchisee's nonpayment or underpayment of
amounts owed
to Franchisor or its Affiliates, any and all claims arising out of
or relating
to this Agreement or Franchisor's relationship with Franchisee will
be barred
unless a proceeding is commenced within one (1) year from the date
on which the
party asserting the claim knew or should have known of the facts
giving rise to
the claim.
62
18.I. ENTIRE
AGREEMENT.
This
Agreement, together with the Manuals and the documents referred to
herein, and
the Exhibits and other attachments hereto, constitute the entire,
full and
complete agreement between Franchisor and Franchisee concerning the
subject
matter hereof, and supersede all prior agreements, no other representations
having induced Franchisee to execute this Agreement. No representations,
inducements, promises, or agreements, oral or otherwise, not embodied
or
referenced in this Agreement or attached hereto (unless of subsequent
date) were
made by either party, and none shall be of any force or effect with
reference to
this Agreement or otherwise. However, nothing in this or any related
agreement
is intended to disclaim the representations Franchisor made in the
Franchise
Disclosure Document that Franchisor furnished to you. Except as otherwise
provided in this Agreement (including Franchisor's right to periodically
implement and modify System Standards and modify the Manual), no
amendment,
change or variance from this Agreement shall be binding on either
party unless
mutually agreed to by the parties and executed by their authorized
officers in
writing. Any policies that Franchisor adopts and implements from
time to time to
guide it in its decision-making are subject to change, are not a
part of this
Agreement and are not binding on Franchisor.
18.J. NOTICES.
Except
as
otherwise provided in this Agreement, all notices, demands, requests,
consents,
approvals and other formal communications, required or permitted
to be given
hereunder, or which are to be given with respect to this Agreement,
shall be in
writing and personally delivered, or sent by facsimile with proof
of receipt
(with a confirming copy mailed by registered mail as described herein),
or sent
by a recognized overnight courier service, or sent by registered
mail, postage
prepaid, return receipt requested, addressed to the party to be so
notified as
follows:
If to Franchisee, to:
|
________________________________
________________________________
________________________________
________________________________
Attention:______________________________________
______________________________________
Telephone No.:__________________________________
Facsimile No.:___________________________________
|
63
If to Franchisor, to:
|
000
Xxxxxxxxxx Xxxxxx
Xxxxx
000
Xxxxxx,
Xxxxxxxxxxxxx 00000
Attention:
President
Telephone
No.: (000) 000-0000
Facsimile
No.: (000) 000-0000
|
Such
notices and other communications shall be deemed received on the
date of
delivery if personally delivered, two (2) business days after sending
if sent by
facsimile or overnight courier service, or seven (7) business days
after sending
if sent by registered mail.
18.K. SEVERABILITY
AND SUBSTITUTION OF VALID PROVISIONS.
Except
as
expressly provided to the contrary elsewhere herein, each section,
part, term
and/or provision of this Agreement shall be considered severable
and shall be
construed as independent of any other section, part, term and/or
provision of
this Agreement. If, for any reason, all or any part of any section,
part, term
and/or provision herein is held to be invalid, unenforceable, or
in conflict
with any applicable law by a court or properly convened arbitrators
having valid
jurisdiction in an unappealed final decision to which Franchisor
is a party or
by which Franchisor may be bound, such holding shall not impair the
operation
of, or have any other effect upon, any other section, part, term
and/or
provision of this Agreement as may remain otherwise valid and enforceable,
and
the latter shall continue to be given full force and effect and bind
the parties
hereto, and said invalid or unenforceable sections, parts, terms
and/or
provisions shall be deemed limited by construction in scope and effect
to the
minimum extent possible to render the same valid and enforceable.
To
the
extent that any restrictive covenant contained in this Agreement
is deemed
unenforceable because of its scope in terms of area, activity prohibited
and/or
length of time, Franchisee and its Owners agree that the unenforceable
provision
will be deemed modified or limited to the extent and in the manner
necessary to
make that particular provision valid, and to make the obligations
enforceable to
the fullest extent possible, under the laws applicable to the covenant's
validity. If any provision of this Agreement is inconsistent with
any law
applicable to this Agreement which requires a greater advance notice
of
termination or nonrenewal than is required under this Agreement,
then both
parties will comply with the requirements of that law as if they
were
substituted for the inconsistent provision(s) of or added to this
Agreement. If
any law applicable to this Agreement makes any provision of this
Agreement
(including any provision in the Manuals and any System standard)
invalid or
unenforceable, then Franchisor will have the right, in its sole discretion,
to
modify that provision to the extent necessary to make it valid and
enforceable.
Franchisee agrees to be bound by each provision of this Agreement
to the
greatest extent to which it may lawfully be bound.
64
18.L. THIRD
PARTY BENEFICIARIES.
Except
as
expressly provided herein, no provision of this Agreement is intended
or shall
be construed to provide or create any third party beneficiary right
or any other
right of any kind in any customer, Affiliate, insurer, lender, shareholder,
partner, officer, director, employee or agent of any party hereto,
or in any
other Person, and all terms and provisions hereof shall be personal
solely among
the parties to this Agreement and their proper successors and
assigns.
18.M. WAIVERS.
No
failure by any party hereto to insist upon the strict performance
of any
covenant, agreement, term or condition of this Agreement, or to exercise
any
right or remedy consequent upon the breach thereof, shall constitute
a waiver of
any such breach or any subsequent breach of such covenant, agreement,
term or
condition. No covenant, agreement, term or condition of this Agreement,
and no
breach thereof, shall be waived, altered or modified except by written
instrument signed by the party to be charged therewith. No waiver
of any breach
of any covenant, agreement, term or provision of this Agreement shall
affect or
alter this Agreement, but each and every covenant, agreement, term
and condition
of this Agreement shall continue in full force and effect. Any waiver
granted by
Franchisor will be without prejudice to any other rights of Franchisor,
will be
subject to Franchisor's continuing review, and may be revoked at
any time and
for any reason, effective upon delivery of ten (10) days' written
notice to
Franchisee.
18.N. NO
WARRANTIES OR GUARANTEES.
Franchisor
makes no warranties or guarantees upon which Franchisee may rely,
and assumes no
liability or obligation to Franchisee, by providing any waiver, approval,
consent or suggestion to Franchisee in connection with this Agreement,
or by
reason of any delay, or denial of any request therefor.
18.O. FORCE
MAJEURE.
Neither
party will be liable for loss or damage or be in breach of this Agreement
if its
failure to perform its obligations results from:
(1) compliance
with the orders, requests, regulations, recommendations, or instructions
of any
federal, state, or municipal government or any of its departments
or
agencies;
(2) acts
of
God;
(3) fires,
strikes, embargoes, war, or riot; or
(4) any
other
similar event or cause.
Any
delay
resulting from any of these causes will extend performance accordingly
or excuse
performance, in whole or in part, as may be reasonable, except that
these causes
will not excuse payments of amounts owed at the time of the occurrence
or
payment of Royalty Fees, Systemwide Advertising Fund contributions
or other fees
or contributions due afterward pursuant to this Agreement.
65
18.P. ASSIGNMENT.
Subject
to the restrictions on transfer herein, this Agreement shall be binding
upon and
inure to the benefit of, and be enforceable by, the respective heirs,
legal
representatives, successors and permitted assigns of the parties
hereto.
18.Q. CONSTRUCTION.
The
section and other headings contained herein are for convenience of
reference
only and are not intended to define, limit or describe the scope
or intent of
any provision of this Agreement. The words "including," "include"
and other
words of similar import shall be interpreted to mean "including,
but not limited
to."
18.R. COUNTERPARTS.
This
Agreement may be executed in two or more counterparts, each of which
shall be
deemed an original, but all of which together shall constitute one
and the same
instrument.
18.S. CUMULATIVE
REMEDIES.
All
rights and remedies of the parties hereto are cumulative of each
other and of
every other right or remedy such parties may otherwise have at law
or in equity,
and the exercise of one or more rights or remedies shall not prejudice
or impair
the concurrent or subsequent exercise of other rights or remedies.
18.T. NO
WITHHOLDING OF PAYMENTS.
Franchisee
may not withhold payment of any amounts owed to Franchisor or its
Affiliate on
the grounds of alleged noncompliance by Franchisor or its Affiliate
with any of
its obligations under this Agreement, the Development Agreement or
any other
agreement between Franchisor or its Affiliate and Franchisee.
18.U. EXERCISE
OF BUSINESS JUDGMENT.
Franchisor
has the right to operate, develop and change the System and System
Standards in
any manner that is not specifically prohibited by this Agreement.
Whenever
Franchisor has reserved in this Agreement a right to take or withhold
an action,
or to grant or decline to grant Franchisee a right to take or omit
an action,
Franchisor may, except as otherwise specifically provided in this
Agreement,
make its decision or exercise its rights based on the information
readily
available to it and its judgment of what is in its or its Affiliates'
best
interests and/or the best interests of UFood Outlets as a whole at
the time the
decision is made, regardless of whether Franchisor could have made
other
reasonable or even arguably preferable alternative decisions or whether
Franchisor's decision or the action it takes promotes its or its
Affiliates'
financial or other individual interest.
66
18.V. ELECTRONIC
MAIL.
Franchisee
acknowledges and agrees that exchanging information with Franchisor
by e-mail is
efficient and desirable for day-to-day communications and that Franchisor
and
Franchisee may utilize e-mail for such communications. Franchisee
authorizes the
transmission of e-mail by Franchisor and Franchisor's employees,
vendors, and
affiliates ("Official Senders") to Franchisee during the term of
this
Agreement.
Franchisee
further agrees that: (a) Official Senders are authorized to send
e-mails to
those of Franchisee's employees as Franchisee may occasionally authorize
for the
purpose of communicating with Franchisor; (b) it will cause its officers,
directors, and employees to give their consent to Official Senders'
transmission
of e-mails to them; (c) that it will require such persons not to opt out or
otherwise ask to no longer receive e-mails from Official Senders
during the time
that such person works for or is affiliated with Franchisee; and
(d) it will not
opt out or otherwise ask to no longer receive e-mails from Official
Senders
during the term of this Agreement.
The
consent given in this Section 18.V.
shall
not apply to the provision of notices by either party under this
Agreement
pursuant to Section
18.J.
using
e-mail unless the parties otherwise agree in a written document manually
signed
by both parties.
IN
WITNESS WHEREOF,
the
parties hereto have executed and delivered this Agreement in multiple
originals
on the day and year first above written.
UFood
Restaurant Group, Inc.,
a
Nevada corporation
By:___________________________________
Title:___________________________________
|
[Franchisee]
___________________________________
By:___________________________________
Title:___________________________________
|
67
JOINDER
OF OWNERS
In
consideration of the grant of the rights to Franchisee pursuant to
the foregoing
Franchise Agreement, and as an inducement to Franchisor's grant of
such rights,
the undersigned Owners hereby agree to be personally bound by all
provisions of
the foregoing Franchise Agreement applicable to Owners.
___________________________________
Name:
___________________________________
Name:
|
___________________________________
Name:
___________________________________
Name:
|
68
EXHIBIT A
FRANCHISEE
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
AND
REPRESENTATIONS STATEMENT
1. Franchisee
acknowledges that it has read the Franchise Agreement (the "Agreement")
between UFood Restaurant Group, Inc. ("Franchisor")
and
Franchisee dated as of the date hereof and Franchisor's Franchise
Disclosure
Document in their entirety and that it understands and accepts the
terms,
conditions, and covenants contained in the Agreement as being reasonably
necessary to maintain Franchisor's high standards of quality and
service at
UFood Outlets and to protect and preserve the goodwill of the Marks.
(Capitalized terms not defined herein shall have the respective meanings
set
forth in the Agreement.) Franchisee acknowledges that: (1) Franchisor
delivered and Franchisee received a copy of Franchisor's Franchise
Disclosure
Document at the earlier of fourteen (14) calendar days prior to the
execution of
the Agreement or the payment of any consideration by Franchisee in
connection
with the transaction contemplated in the Agreement; and (2) Franchisor
delivered and Franchisee received the Agreement in form for execution
at least
seven (7) calendar days prior to the execution of the Agreement.
2. Franchisee
acknowledges that the food service and nutritional supplement businesses
are
highly competitive, with often challenging market conditions. Franchisee
acknowledges that it has conducted an independent investigation of
the business
venture contemplated by the Agreement and recognizes that, like any
other
business, the nature of the business conducted by UFood Outlets may
change over
time, that an investment in a UFood Outlet involves business risks
and that the
success of the venture is largely dependent upon the business abilities
and
efforts of Franchisee. Franchisee acknowledges and agrees that it
is not
entering into this Agreement as a result of any representations about
Franchisor
made by Franchisor’s shareholders, officers, directors, members, employees,
agents, representatives, independent contractors, franchisees or
area developers
that are contrary to the terms set forth in this Agreement or in
any disclosure
document, prospectus or any similar document required or permitted
to be given
to you pursuant to applicable law.
3. Franchisee
acknowledges and agrees that Franchisor may (at its option) also
allow
variations between developers and franchisees in the areas of trademarks,
trade
dress, operation items or other aspects of UFood Outlets. Franchisee
acknowledges and agrees that only Franchisor may determine what variations
Franchisee may use and that Franchisee will in any event conform
strictly to the
standards, specifications, operating procedures and rules which Franchisor
establishes for the Outlet.
Franchisee
understands and accepts that, over time during the term of the Agreement,
Franchisor will continue to develop and refine various aspects of
the System and
that as products, services, operating procedures, trade dress and
other
refinements are introduced, Franchisor may, at its option, cease
to allow some
or all of the variations and may require uniformity among UFood Outlets
as to
aspects for which Franchisor had previously allowed variations. Franchisee
acknowledges and agrees that this may mean that Franchisee may be
required, for
example, to change one or more of (a) the trademarks and/or service
marks
Franchisee uses; (b) the trade dress or operational procedures Franchisee
uses;
or (c) other aspects of the Outlet, whether already developed, under
development
or to be developed. Some or all of these changes may require Franchisee
to make
substantial additional capital expenditures. Franchisee acknowledges
and agrees
that Franchisor may discontinue any of the variations which it had
previously
allowed Franchisee to utilize and that Franchisee will conform to
all required
local, regional and/or national standards, specifications, operating
procedures
and requirements which Franchisor may establish from time to time
even if it
means substantial additional expense for Franchisee.
A-1
4. Franchisee
acknowledges that other area developers and franchisees of Franchisor
and its
Affiliates have been and/or might be granted rights similar to those
granted to
Franchisee under the Agreement at different times and locations,
under different
market and economic conditions, and in different situations. Franchisee
therefore acknowledges that the economic and other terms and conditions
of such
rights might vary substantially in form and substance from those
granted under
the Agreement.
5. Franchisee
acknowledges that, except as expressly set forth in Franchisor's
Franchise
Disclosure Document:
(A) neither
Franchisor nor any officer, director, employee, agent, representative
or
Affiliate thereof has made any representations or statements of actual,
average,
projected or forecasted sales, profits, earnings, cash flow or costs
with
respect to any UFood Outlets;
(B) neither
Franchisor's sales personnel nor any employee, officer, director,
agent,
representative or Affiliate thereof is authorized to make any claims
or
statements as to the sales, profits, earnings, cash flow, costs or
prospects or
chances of success that any developer or franchisee can expect or
that present
or past franchisees or developers have had; and
(C) Franchisor
specifically instructs its sales personnel, employees, officers,
directors,
agents, representatives and Affiliates that they are not permitted
to make such
claims or statements as to the sales, profits, earnings, cash flow,
costs or the
prospects or chances of success, nor are they authorized to represent
or
estimate amounts of sales, profits, earnings, cash flow, costs or
other measures
as to any aspect of the operation of UFood Outlets.
Franchisor
recommends that applicants for UFood Outlet franchises make their
own
investigations and determine whether or not a UFood Outlet is profitable.
Franchisor will not be bound by any unauthorized representations
as to
Franchisee's sales, profits, earnings, cash flow, costs or prospects
or chances
of success. Franchisor recommends that each applicant for a UFood
Outlet
franchise consult with an attorney of its choosing and further be
represented by
legal counsel at the time of closing of the purchase of its franchise.
Franchisee acknowledges that it has had ample opportunity to consult
with legal
counsel and other professional advisors. Franchisee acknowledges
that it has not
received or relied on any representations about the rights granted
under the
Agreement by Franchisor, or its sales personnel, employees, officers,
directors,
agents, representatives or Affiliates, that are contrary to the statements
made
in Franchisor's Franchise Disclosure Document or to the terms of
the Agreement
or this Statement.
A-2
6. Franchisee
acknowledges that in all of Franchisor's dealings with Franchisee,
the officers,
directors, employees, and agents of Franchisor act only in a representative
capacity and not in an individual capacity. Franchisee further acknowledges
that
the Agreement, and all business dealings between Franchisee and such
individuals
as a result of the Agreement, are solely between Franchisee and
Franchisor.
7. Franchisee
acknowledges that Franchisor has the right to restrict Franchisee’s sources of
Proprietary Products to Franchisor or its affiliates and that Franchisor
has the
right to restrict Franchisee’s sources of other goods and services as well, as
provided in the Agreement.
8. Franchisee
represents to Franchisor, as an inducement to its entry into the
Agreement, that
neither Franchisee nor its Owners have made any misrepresentations
in obtaining
the Franchise.
9. If
Franchisee is a legal entity, Franchisee:
(A) represents
that it is duly organized and validly existing in good standing under
the laws
of the jurisdiction of its organization, is qualified to do business
in all
jurisdictions in which its business activities or the nature of properties
owned
by Franchisee requires such qualification, and has the authority
to execute and
deliver the Agreement and perform all of Franchisee's obligations
under the
Agreement; and
(B) agrees
that all certificates representing Ownership Interests in Franchisee
now
outstanding or hereafter issued will be endorsed with a legend in
form approved
by Franchisor reciting that the transfer of Ownership Interests in
Franchisee is
subject to restrictions contained in the Agreement.
10. Franchisee,
whether or not a legal entity, represents and warrants that Franchisee
is not
subject to any restriction, agreement, contract, commitment, law,
judgment or
decree which would prohibit or be breached or violated by Franchisee's
execution
and delivery of the Agreement or performance of its obligations thereunder.
At
Franchisor's request, Franchisee shall furnish an opinion of counsel
to
Franchisor, in form and substance satisfactory to Franchisor, to
the effect that
the Agreement is a valid and binding agreement of Franchisee, enforceable
against Franchisee in accordance with its terms, and that Franchisee
is not
subject to any restriction, agreement, law, judgment or decree which
would
prohibit or be violated by Franchisee's execution and delivery of
the Agreement
and performance of its obligations thereunder.
11. Franchisee
further represents and warrants that all Owners of Franchisee and
their
interests therein are completely and accurately listed in Exhibit C to
the
Agreement and covenants that Franchisee will make, execute and deliver
to
Franchisor such revisions thereto as may be necessary during the
term of the
Agreement to reflect any changes in the information contained
therein.
A-3
12. Franchisee
represents and warrants that its domicile is as set forth below:
___________________________________
Address
___________________________________
City
and
State
[Franchisee]
___________________________________
By:_________________________________
Name:_______________________________
Title:___________________________________
Date:___________________________________
|
A-4
EXHIBIT
B
IDENTITY
OF DEVELOPER AND
DATE
OF DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT
The
date
of the Development Agreement and the identity of the Developer under
the
Development Agreement are as follows:
___________________________________
DEVELOPER
___________________________________
DATE
UFood
Restaurant Group, Inc.,
a
Nevada corporation
By:___________________________________
Title:__________________________________
|
[Franchisee]
______________________________________
By:____________________________________
Title:___________________________________
|
B-1
EXHIBIT
C
OWNERS
Listed
below is the full name and mailing address of each Person who is
an Owner of
Franchisee and a description of the nature and amount of such Owner's
direct or
indirect equity or voting interest in Franchisee:
____________ (Initial
here if the following statement is applicable and do not complete
the rest of
this exhibit.)
The
Owners of Franchisee and their respective equity and voting interests
in
Franchisee are the same as indicated in the Development Agreement
with respect
to the Owners and their interests in Developer.
Name:________________________________________
Address:______________________________________
______________________________________
______________________________________
______________________________________
|
Number
of Ownership Interests Owned:______________
%
of Total Ownership Interests:____________________
Number
of Ownership Interests Owner is Entitled
to
Vote:________________________________________
Other
Interest (Describe):__________________________
_______________________________________
|
|
Name:________________________________________
Address:______________________________________
______________________________________
______________________________________
______________________________________
|
Number
of Ownership Interests Owned:______________
%
of Total Ownership Interests:____________________
Number
of Ownership Interests Owner is Entitled
to
Vote:________________________________________
Other
Interest (Describe):__________________________
_______________________________________
|
|
Name:________________________________________
Address:______________________________________
______________________________________
______________________________________
______________________________________
|
Number
of Ownership Interests Owned:______________
%
of Total Ownership Interests:____________________
Number
of Ownership Interests Owner is Entitled
to
Vote:________________________________________
Other
Interest (Describe):__________________________
_______________________________________
|
|
Name:________________________________________
Address:______________________________________
______________________________________
______________________________________
______________________________________
|
Number
of Ownership Interests Owned:______________
%
of Total Ownership Interests:____________________
Number
of Ownership Interests Owner is Entitled
to
Vote:________________________________________
Other
Interest (Describe):__________________________
_______________________________________
|
C-1
UFood
Restaurant Group, Inc.,
a
Nevada corporation
By:___________________________________
Title:__________________________________
|
[Franchisee]
_____________________________________
By:___________________________________
Title:__________________________________
|
C-2
EXHIBIT
D
SITE,
FEES AND TERRITORY
1. Site.
The
Site of the Outlet is as follows:
2. Territory.
The
Territory is as follows:
3. Initial
Franchise Fee.
The
Initial Franchise Fee is Thirty-Five Thousand Dollars ($35,000).
UFood
Restaurant Group, Inc.,
a
Nevada corporation
By:__________________________________
Title:_________________________________
|
____________________________________
[Franchisee]
By:__________________________________
Title:_________________________________
|
D-1
EXHIBIT
E
GUARANTY
AND ASSUMPTION OF FRANCHISEE'S OBLIGATIONS
THIS
GUARANTY AND ASSUMPTION OF FRANCHISEE'S OBLIGATIONS
is given
this
day
of
,
200__,
by the undersigned.
Franchisee: | _____________________________________________ |
Date
of Franchise Agreement:
|
_____________________________________________ |
In
consideration of, and as an inducement to, the execution of the UFood
Franchise
Agreement dated as indicated above (the "Franchise
Agreement")
by
UFood Restaurant Group, Inc. ("Franchisor"),
each
of the undersigned and any other parties who sign counterparts of
this guaranty
(referred to herein individually as a "Guarantor"
and
collectively as "Guarantors")
hereby
personally and unconditionally: (a) guarantees to Franchisor, and its
successors and assigns, for the term of the Franchise Agreement and
thereafter
as provided in the Franchise Agreement, that Franchisee shall punctually
pay and
perform each and every undertaking, agreement and covenant set forth
in the
Franchise Agreement; and (b) agrees to be personally bound by, and
personally liable for the breach of, each and every provision in
the Franchise
Agreement as if the undersigned were a signatory to the Franchise
Agreement,
both monetary obligations and other obligations, including, without
limitation,
arbitration obligations, the obligation to pay costs and legal fees
as provided
in the Franchise Agreement, and the obligation to take or refrain
from taking
specific actions or to engage or refrain from engaging in specific
activities
(including, without limitation, the provisions of the Franchise Agreement
relating to competitive activities).
Each
Guarantor waives:
(1) acceptance
and notice of acceptance by Franchisor of the foregoing undertakings;
(2) notice
of
demand for payment of any indebtedness or nonperformance of any obligations
hereby guaranteed;
(3) protest
and notice of default to any party with respect to the indebtedness
or
nonperformance of any obligations hereby guaranteed;
(4) any
right
such Guarantor might have to require that an action be brought against
Franchisee or any other Person as a condition of liability; and
(5) any
and
all other notices and legal or equitable defenses to which such Guarantor
might
be entitled.
E-1
Each
Guarantor consents and agrees that:
(A) such
Guarantor's direct and immediate liability under this Guaranty shall
be joint
and several not only with Franchisee, but also among the Guarantors
and other
guarantors of Franchisee's obligations;
(B) such
Guarantor shall render any payment or performance required under
the Franchise
Agreement upon demand;
(C) such
liability shall not be contingent or conditioned upon pursuit by
Franchisor of
any remedies against Franchisee or any other Person;
(D) such
liability shall not be diminished, relieved or otherwise affected
by any
subsequent rider or amendment to the Franchise Agreement or by any
extension of
time, credit or other indulgence which Franchisor may from time to
time grant to
Franchisee or to any other person, including, without limitation,
the acceptance
of any partial payment or performance, or the compromise or release
of any
claims, none of which shall in any way modify or amend this Guaranty,
which
shall be continuing and irrevocable throughout the term of the Franchise
Agreement and for so long thereafter as there are any monies or obligations
owing to Franchisor under the Franchise Agreement; and
(E) the
written acknowledgment of Franchisee, accepted in writing by Franchisor,
or the
judgment of any court or arbitration panel of competent jurisdiction
establishing the amount due from Franchisee shall be conclusive and
binding on
the undersigned as Guarantors.
If
Franchisor is required to enforce this Guaranty in a judicial or
arbitration
proceeding, and prevails in such proceeding, it shall be entitled
to
reimbursement of its costs and expenses, including, but not limited
to,
reasonable accountants', attorneys', attorneys' assistants', arbitrators'
and
expert witness fees, costs of investigation and proof of facts, court
costs,
other litigation expenses and travel and living expenses, whether
incurred prior
to, in preparation for or in contemplation of the filing of any such
proceeding.
If Franchisor is required to engage legal counsel in connection with
any failure
by the undersigned to comply with this Guaranty, the Guarantors shall
reimburse
Franchisor for any of the above-listed costs and expenses incurred
by
it.
Each
of
the undersigned Guarantors represents and warrants that, if no signature
appears
below for such Guarantor's spouse, such Guarantor is either not married
or, if
married, is a resident of a state which does not require the consent
of both
spouses to encumber the assets of the Guarantor's marital estate.
This
Guaranty, the rights and obligations of the Guarantors and the Franchisor,
and
the relationship of the Guarantors and the Franchisor shall be governed
by, and
construed and enforced in accordance with, the laws of the State
of Nevada,
without regard to its conflicts of laws principles.
E-2
IN
WITNESS WHEREOF,
each
Guarantor has hereunto affixed his signature on the same day and
year as the
Franchise Agreement was executed.
Print
Name:_______________________
|
Print
Spouse's Name:__________________
|
|
Signature:________________________
|
Signature:___________________________
|
|
Print
Name:______________________
|
Print
Spouse's Name:__________________
|
|
Signature:________________________
|
Signature:___________________________
|
E-3
EXHIBIT
F
CONFIDENTIALITY
AND NON-COMPETITION AGREEMENT
(Franchise
Agreement Form)
THIS
AGREEMENT
(the
"Agreement") is made and entered into as of this _____ day of _____________,
20___ (the “Effective Date”), by and among COVENANTOR (defined below), UFood
Restaurant Group, Inc., a corporation organized under the laws of
the State of
Nevada, U.S.A. ("COMPANY") and ___________________________________________,
a
______________________________ (“FRANCHISEE”).
"COVENANTOR": | __________________________________________________________________________________________ |
Address: | __________________________________________________________________________________________________ |
__________________________________________________________________________________________________ | |
__________________________________________________________________________________________________ |
1.
|
PREAMBLES.
|
COMPANY
has signed or intends to sign a franchise agreement with FRANCHISEE
(the
"Franchise Agreement"), under which COMPANY grants to FRANCHISEE
certain rights
with regard to the operation a retail outlet offering food service
featuring
low-fat, low-carbohydrate and low-calorie food items selected beverages
and
nutritional products under the trademark “UFoodÔ”
(“UFood
Outlets”). Before allowing COVENANTOR to have access to the Confidential
Information (defined below), and as a material requirement necessary
to protect
COMPANY's proprietary rights in and FRANCHISEE's right to use the
Confidential
Information, COMPANY and FRANCHISEE require that COVENANTOR enter
into this
Agreement.
To
induce
COMPANY to enter into the Franchise Agreement and/or to avoid a material
breach
thereof, as the case may be, COMPANY, FRANCHISEE and COVENANTOR desire
that
COVENANTOR enter into this Agreement. Furthermore, due to the nature
of
COMPANY's and FRANCHISEE's business, any use or disclosure of the
Confidential
Information other than in accordance with this Agreement will cause
COMPANY and
FRANCHISEE substantial harm.
2.
|
DEFINITIONS.
|
The
following terms shall have the meanings set forth below:
(a.) “Affiliate”:
With
respect to any Person, a Person which, directly or indirectly, through
one or
more intermediaries, controls or is controlled by, or is under common
control
with, the Person specified. For all purposes hereof, the term "control"
means
the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or
to cause the
direction of the management and policies of any Person, or the power
to veto
major policy decisions of any Person, whether through the ownership
of voting
securities by contract, or otherwise.
F-1
(b.) “Competitive
Business”:
A
business or enterprise, other than a UFood Outlet operated by Franchisor,
by an
Affiliate of Franchisor or pursuant to a valid franchise agreement
with
Franchisor or one of its Affiliates, that:
(1) derives
twenty-five percent (25%) or more of its total revenue from the sale
of food
items and/or beverages that are marketed as low-fat and/or low-carbohydrate
or
low-calorie;
(2) derives
five percent (5%) or more of its total revenue from the sale of Nutritional
Products; or
(3) grants
or
has granted franchises or licenses, or establishes or has established
joint
ventures, for the development and/or operation of one or more businesses
or
enterprises of a type described in either clause (1) or (2),
above.
(c.) "Confidential
Information":
Certain confidential and proprietary information and trade secrets,
including,
but not limited to, the following categories of information, methods,
techniques, procedures and knowledge developed or to be developed
by COMPANY,
its Affiliates, and/or developers and franchisees related to the
development and
operation of UFood Outlets:
(1) site
selection criteria;
(2) standards,
specifications, operating procedures and other methods, techniques,
requirements, equipment, recipes, policies, information, concepts
and systems
relating to, and knowledge of and experience in, the development,
operation and
franchising of UFood Outlets;
(3) marketing
research and advertising, marketing and promotional programs for
UFood
Outlets;
(4) knowledge
concerning the logic, structure and operation of the Computer System
(as defined
in the Franchise Agreement) components and the Specified Software
(as defined in
the Franchise Agreement), and all additions, modifications and enhancements
thereof, all data generated from use of the Computer System and Specified
Software, and the logic, structure and operation of the database
file structures
containing such data and all additions, modifications and enhancements
thereof;
(5) specifications
for and knowledge of suppliers of Nutritional Products and other
assets,
products and supplies used at or sold from UFood Outlets;
F-2
(6) information
concerning customers, customer lists, operating results, financial
performance
and other data of UFood Outlets (other than operating results, financial
performance and other financial data of the Outlet);
(7) the
Manuals (as defined in the Franchise Agreement);
(8) employee
selection procedures, training and staffing levels; and
(9) the
terms
and conditions of the Franchise Agreement.
(d.) “Immediate
Family”:
(1) The spouse of an individual; (2) the natural and adoptive parents
and natural and adopted children and siblings of such individual
and their
spouses; and (3) the natural and adoptive parents and natural and adopted
children and siblings of the spouse of such individual.
(e.) “Person”:
An
individual, corporation, partnership, joint venture, association,
limited
liability company, trust, unincorporated association, other business
entity, or
governmental entity (or subdivision thereof).
(f.) “Termination
Event”:
The
first to occur of: (a) termination or expiration of the Franchise Agreement
without extension or renewal; or (b) the date as of which COVENANTOR is
neither an owner nor an employee of FRANCHISEE.
(g.) "Transfer":
The
transfer by FRANCHISEE of the Franchise Agreement, provided that
such transfer
is made in compliance with the terms of the Franchise Agreement.
3.
|
PROTECTION
OF CONFIDENTIAL
INFORMATION.
|
COVENANTOR
agrees to use the Confidential Information only to the extent reasonably
necessary to perform his or her duties on behalf of FRANCHISEE, taking
into
consideration the confidential nature of the Confidential Information.
COVENANTOR may disclose the Confidential Information only as agent
for
FRANCHISEE. COVENANTOR acknowledges and agrees that neither COVENANTOR
nor any
other person or entity will acquire any interest in or right to use
the
Confidential Information under this Agreement or otherwise other
than the right
to utilize it as authorized in this Agreement, and that the unauthorized
use or
duplication of the Confidential Information would be detrimental
to COMPANY and
FRANCHISEE and would be a breach of COVENANTOR's obligations of confidentiality
and an unfair method of competition with COMPANY and its Affiliates,
FRANCHISEE
and other UFood Outlets owned by COMPANY, its Affiliates, developers
and
franchisees.
COVENANTOR
acknowledges and agrees that the Confidential Information is confidential
to and
a valuable asset of COMPANY. The Confidential Information will be
disclosed to
COVENANTOR solely on the condition that COVENANTOR agrees to the
terms and
conditions of the Agreement. COVENANTOR therefore agrees that, during
the term
of the Franchise Agreement and thereafter, he or she: (a) will not use the
Confidential Information in any other business or capacity; (b) will
maintain the absolute confidentiality of the Confidential Information;
(c) will not make unauthorized copies of any portion of the Confidential
Information disclosed or recorded in written or other form; and (d) will
adopt and implement all reasonable procedures prescribed from time
to time by
COMPANY and FRANCHISEE to prevent unauthorized use or disclosure
of or access to
the Confidential Information.
F-3
Notwithstanding
anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement, the restrictions
on
COVENANTOR's disclosure and use of the Confidential Information shall
not apply
to the following: (a) information, methods, procedures, techniques and
knowledge which are or become generally known or easily accessible
other than by
COVENANTOR's breach of an obligation of confidentiality; and (b) the
disclosure of the Confidential Information pursuant to applicable
law or in
judicial or administrative proceedings to the extent that COVENANTOR
is legally
compelled or required by a regulatory body to disclose such information,
provided COVENANTOR has notified COMPANY and FRANCHISEE prior to
disclosure and
shall have used its best efforts to obtain, and shall have given
COMPANY and
FRANCHISEE the opportunity to obtain, an appropriate assurance reasonably
satisfactory to COMPANY of confidential treatment for the information
required
to be so disclosed.
4.
|
IN-TERM
RESTRICTIVE
COVENANTS.
|
COVENANTOR
acknowledges and agrees that COMPANY and FRANCHISEE would be unable
to protect
the Confidential Information against unauthorized use or disclosure
if persons
authorized to use the Confidential Information (or members of their
Immediate
Families) were permitted to engage in similar, competing businesses.
COVENANTOR
therefore agrees that from the Effective Date until the earlier of
a Termination
Event or a Transfer, neither COVENANTOR nor any member of the Immediate
Family
of COVENANTOR, shall directly or indirectly:
(a.) have
any
controlling or non-controlling interest as a record or beneficial
owner in any
Competitive Business, wherever located or operating, provided that
this
restriction shall not apply to the ownership of shares of a class
of securities
listed on a stock exchange or traded on the over-the-counter market
and quoted
on a national inter-dealer quotation system that represent less than
one-half
percent (0.5%) of the number of shares of that class of securities
issued and
outstanding;
(b.) perform
services as a director, officer, manager, employee, consultant, representative,
agent, or otherwise for any Competitive Business, wherever located
or operating;
(c.) directly
or indirectly loan any money or other thing of value to, guarantee
any loan to,
lease any personal or real property to, or permit the use of its
name in
connection with, any Competitive Business or any owner, director,
officer,
manager, employee or agent of any Competitive Business, wherever
located or
operating;
(d.) divert
or
attempt to divert any actual or potential business or customers of
any Developer
Outlet or any other UFood Outlets to any Competitive Business; or
(e.) employ
or
seek to employ any individual who is employed by Franchisor, an Affiliate
of
Franchisor or any other developer or franchisee of a UFood Outlet,
or otherwise
directly or indirectly induce any such individual to leave said employment,
without the prior written consent of such individual's employer.
F-4
5.
|
RESTRICTIVE
COVENANT UPON TERMINATION OR EXPIRATION OF THE FRANCHISE
AGREEMENT OR OF
COVENANTOR'S ASSOCIATION WITH
FRANCHISEE.
|
Upon
the
earlier of a Termination Event or a Transfer, COVENANTOR agrees that
for a
period of eighteen (18) months commencing on the effective date of
a Termination
Event or a Transfer, as applicable, neither COVENANTOR nor any member
of the
Immediate Family of COVENANTOR shall directly or indirectly:
(1) have
any
controlling or non-controlling interest as a record or beneficial
owner in any
Competitive Business located or operating: (a) at the Site (as defined in
the Franchise Agreement); (b) within a five (5) mile radius of the Site;
(c) within a five (5) mile radius of any other UFood Outlet in operation
or
under development on the effective date of termination or expiration
of this
Agreement; or (d) within the Territory as defined in the Franchise
Agreement or within five (5) miles of the boundary of the Territory;
(2) perform
services as a director, officer, manager, employee, consultant, representative,
agent or otherwise for any Competitive Business located or operating:
(a) at the Site; (b) within a five (5) mile radius of the Site;
(c) within a five (5) mile radius of any other UFood Outlet in operation
or
under development on the effective date of termination or expiration
of this
Agreement; or (d) within the Territory or within five (5) miles of the
boundary of the Territory;
(3) directly
or indirectly loan any money or other thing of value to, guaranty
any loan to,
lease any personal or real property to, or permit the use of its
name in
connection with, any Competitive Business located or operating: (a) at the
Site; (b) within a five (5) mile radius of the Site; (c) within a five
(5) mile radius of any other UFood Outlet in operation or under development
on
the effective date of termination or expiration of this Agreement;
or
(d) within the Territory or within five (5) miles of the boundary of
the
Territory;
(4) divert
or
attempt to divert any actual or potential business or customers of
any UFood
Outlet to any Competitive Business, wherever located or operating;
or
(5) employ
or
seek to employ any individual who is employed by Franchisor, its
Affiliate or
any developer or franchisee of a UFood Outlet, or otherwise directly
or
indirectly induce or attempt to induce any such individual to leave
said
employment, without the prior written consent of such individual's
employer.
F-5
The
restrictions of Subparagraph (1)
of this
Paragraph 5
will not
be applicable to the ownership of shares of a class of securities
listed on a
stock exchange or traded on the over-the-counter market and quoted
on a national
inter-dealer quotation system that represent less than one-half percent
(0.5%)
of the number of shares of that class of securities issued and
outstanding.
COVENANTOR
agrees that the restrictive covenants set forth in Paragraphs 4 and 5 of
this Agreement are reasonable. If any court or tribunal of competent
jurisdiction shall refuse to enforce any such covenant because it
is more
extensive than is enforceable, it is expressly understood and agreed
that such
covenants shall not be void, but that the restrictions contained
therein shall
be deemed reduced to the extent necessary to permit the enforcement
of such
covenants.
COVENANTOR
expressly acknowledges and agrees that COVENANTOR possesses skills
and abilities
of a general nature and has opportunities for exploiting such skills.
Consequently, enforcement of the covenants made in Paragraphs 4 and 5 of
this Agreement will not deprive COVENANTOR of the ability to earn
a
living.
6.
|
SURRENDER
OF
DOCUMENTS.
|
COVENANTOR
agrees that, as of the earlier of a Transfer or a Termination Event,
as
applicable, COVENANTOR shall immediately cease to use the Confidential
Information disclosed to or otherwise learned or acquired by COVENANTOR
and
shall return to FRANCHISEE (or to COMPANY if directed by COMPANY)
all copies of
the Confidential Information loaned or made available to
COVENANTOR.
7.
|
COSTS
AND ATTORNEYS'
FEES.
|
If
COMPANY or FRANCHISEE engages legal counsel in connection with any
failure by
COVENANTOR to comply with this Agreement, COVENANTOR shall reimburse
COMPANY
and/or DEVELOP, as applicable, their reasonable attorneys' fees whether
incurred
before, during or after any trial, arbitration or appeal.
8.
|
WAIVER.
|
Failure
to insist upon strict compliance with any of the terms, covenants
or conditions
hereof shall not be a waiver of such term, covenant or condition,
nor shall any
waiver or relinquishment of any right or remedy hereunder at any
one or more
times be a waiver of such right or remedy at any other time or
times.
9.
|
SEVERABILITY.
|
Each
provision of this Agreement, and any portion thereof, shall be considered
severable, and if, for any reason, any such provision is held to
be invalid or
contrary to or in conflict with any applicable law or regulation
in a final,
unappealable ruling issued by any court, agency or tribunal with
competent
jurisdiction in a proceeding which COMPANY is a party, that ruling
shall not
have any effect upon, such other portions of this Agreement as may
remain
otherwise intelligible, which shall continue to be given full force
and effect
and bind the parties hereto, although any portion held to be invalid
shall be
deemed not to be a part of this Agreement from the date the time
for appeal
expires, if COVENANTOR is a party thereto, otherwise upon COVENANTOR's
receipt
of a notice from COMPANY that it will not enforce the provision in
question.
F-6
10.
|
RIGHTS
OF PARTIES ARE
CUMULATIVE.
|
The
rights of the parties hereunder are cumulative and no exercise or
enforcement by
a party hereto of any right or remedy granted hereunder shall preclude
the
exercise or enforcement by them of any other right or remedy it may
have.
11.
|
BENEFIT.
|
This
Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the parties
hereto
and their respective successors and assigns. In the event COMPANY
does not sign
this Agreement (regardless of the reason), COMPANY shall be deemed
a third party
beneficiary of this Agreement and shall have the right to enforce this Agreement
directly.
12.
|
EFFECTIVENESS.
|
This
Agreement shall be enforceable and effective when signed by COVENANTOR,
even if
COMPANY and FRANCHISEE do not sign this Agreement.
13.
|
COUNTERPARTS;
GOVERNING
LANGUAGE.
|
This
Agreement shall be signed in at least two originals in the English
language.
14.
|
GOVERNING
LAW.
|
This
Agreement and the rights and obligations of the parties under this
Agreement
shall, by express agreement of the parties, be governed by, and construed
and
enforced in accordance with, the laws of the State of Nevada.
[Signature
Page Follows]
F-7
IN
WITNESS WHEREOF,
the
parties hereto have executed this Agreement as of the day and year
first above
written:
____________________________________________________
Print
name of COVENANTOR
____________________________________________________
Signature
of COVENANTOR
|
FRANCHISEE
____________________________________________________
By:___________________________________________________
Name:_______________________________________________
Title:________________________________________________
|
|
COMPANY
By:___________________________________________________
Name:_______________________________________________
Title:________________________________________________
|
F-8
EXHIBIT
G
COLLATERAL
ASSIGNMENT OF TELEPHONE NUMBERS AND LISTINGS
THIS
ASSIGNMENT
is
entered into this ______ day of ________________, 200__, in accordance
with the
terms of that certain UFood Franchise Agreement (the "Franchise
Agreement")
between _________________________________________________ ("Franchisee")
and
UFood Restaurant Group, Inc. ("Franchisor"),
executed concurrently with this Assignment, under which Franchisor
granted
Franchisee the right to own and operate a UFood Outlet located at
______________________________ (the "Outlet").
FOR
VALUE RECEIVED,
Franchisee hereby assigns to Franchisor all of Franchisee's right,
title and
interest in and to those certain telephone numbers and regular, classified
or
other telephone directory listings (collectively, the "Telephone
Numbers and Listings")
associated with Franchisor's trademarks and service marks and used
from time to
time in connection with the operation of the Outlet. This Assignment
is for
collateral purposes only and, except as specified herein, Franchisor
shall have
no liability or obligation of any kind whatsoever arising from or
in connection
with this Assignment, unless Franchisor shall notify the telephone
company
and/or the listing agencies with which Franchisee has placed telephone
directory
listings (all such entities are collectively referred to herein as
the
"Telephone
Company")
to
effectuate the assignment pursuant to the terms hereof.
Upon
termination or expiration of the Franchise Agreement (without renewal
or
extension), Franchisor shall have the right and is hereby empowered
to
effectuate the assignment of the Telephone Numbers and Listings,
and, in such
event, Franchisee shall have no further right, title or interest
in the
Telephone Numbers and Listings, but shall remain liable to the Telephone
Company
for all past due fees owing to the Telephone Company on or before
the effective
date of the assignment hereunder.
Franchisee
agrees and acknowledges that as between Franchisor and Franchisee,
upon
termination or expiration of the Franchise Agreement, Franchisor
shall have the
sole right to and interest in the Telephone Numbers and Listings,
and Franchisee
appoints Franchisor as Franchisee's true and lawful attorney-in-fact
to direct
the Telephone Company to assign same to Franchisor, and execute such
documents
and take such actions as may be necessary to effectuate the assignment.
Upon
such event, Franchisee shall immediately notify the Telephone Company
to assign
the Telephone Numbers and Listings to Franchisor or its designee.
If Franchisee
fails to promptly direct the Telephone Company to assign the Telephone
Numbers
and Listings to Franchisor or its designee, Franchisor shall direct
the
Telephone Company to effectuate the assignment contemplated hereunder.
The
parties agree that the Telephone Company may accept Franchisor's
written
direction, the Franchise Agreement or this Assignment as conclusive
proof of
Franchisor's exclusive rights in and to the Telephone Numbers and
Listings upon
such termination or expiration and that such assignment shall be
made
automatically and effective immediately upon Telephone Company's
receipt of such
notice from Franchisor or Franchisee. The parties further agree that
if the
Telephone Company requires that the parties execute the Telephone
Company's
assignment forms or other documentation at the time of termination
or expiration
of the Franchise Agreement, Franchisor's execution of such forms
or
documentation on behalf of Franchisee shall effectuate Franchisee's
consent and
agreement to the assignment. The parties agree that at any time after
the date
hereof, they will perform such acts and execute and deliver such
documents as
may be necessary to assist in or accomplish the assignment described
herein upon
termination or expiration of the Franchise Agreement.
G-1
ASSIGNEE:
UFood
Restaurant Group, Inc.,
a
Nevada corporation
By:_______________________________________
Its:_______________________________________
|
ASSIGNOR:
[FRANCHISEE]
By:_______________________________________
Its:_______________________________________
|
|
ACCEPTED
AND AGREED TO BY:
_______________________________________
(Telephone
Company Authorized
Representative)
_______________________________________
(Name
of Telephone Company)
|
G-2