FRANCHISING AGREEMENT CHECKLIST

And Royalties

·         What are the payment terms: amount, time of payment, lump sum or installment, financing arrangements, etc.?

·         Does it include an opening stock of products and supplies?

·         Does the franchisor offer any financing, or offer help in finding financing?

·         Are there periodic royalties? If so, how much are they and how are they determined?

·         Will the franchisee has the right to renew? How long?

·         Are additional fees required?

·         Can the franchisor amend franchise agreement, royalties, and other terms and conditions on renewal?

·         Will other franchisees be permitted to compete in the same area?

·         Does the franchisee have a first refusal option as to any additional franchises in the original territory if it is not exclusive?

·         Are boundaries clearly defined?

·         Does franchisee have to own business premises?

·         Does the franchisee have to lease business premises? Will franchisee hold a head lease or will franchisor hold the head lease and franchisee sublease from the franchisor?

·         Is there a definition of sales and specific targets to be met?

·         Should inventory, supplies and equipment be purchased from the franchisor or franchisor-approved suppliers?

·         Does the franchise agreement bind the franchisee to a minimum purchase quota?

·         Is the franchisee required to be directly involved in the business/ to work full time?

·         Reports, records, financial statements, and audits. How often must reports be submitted? Does the franchisor have full access to franchisees’ books?

·         Are accounting/bookkeeping services included or available?

·         Any specific requirements for advertising? How are advertising and promotion costs divided?

Is the franchisee obliged to prominently display trademarks of the franchisor and use the franchisor’s signage?

·         Are all trademarks, trade names, or other marks fully identifiable and distinct, and are they clear of any possible interference or cancellation owing to any pending litigation?

·         Should the franchisor approve the insurance and does he require a copy of the insurance?

·         Should the franchisee indemnify the franchisor with respect to the operation of the franchised business?

·         Is a personal guarantee required? Which conditions?

·         Can franchise agreement be terminated immediately or is the franchisor obliged to give notice of default and provide the franchisee with a reasonable period of time to remedy?

·         Does the franchisor have the absolute privilege of terminating the franchise agreement if certain conditions have not been met, either during the term or at the end?

·         Under what conditions (illness, etc.) can the franchisee terminate the franchise? In such cases, do termination obligations differ?

·         In case of death or incapacitation of the franchisee, can franchised businesses be passed on to spouse, children or other heirs on death? If so, any fee to be paid or agreements to be signed?

·         Does the franchisor have the right to buy back the franchised business? If so, at what price?

·         Does the franchisor have the right of first refusal to purchase the franchised business? At what price?

·         Is the franchisee allowed to mortgage or pledge assets or the franchise agreement without the franchisor’s consent?

Confidentiality

·         For how long after the franchise agreement terminated?

·         In what territory?