A franchise agreement is a legal proceeding in which a franchisor highlights specific conditions for a franchisee. This agreement provides the right to the franchisee to utilize any resources, trademarks and branding designated by the franchisor.
It is required to legalize the issuing of rights to a franchisee. This is a crucial agreement when two parties enter into a franchise system. This agreement helps in eliminating any risks that the franchisee could pose to the franchisor.
This legal document should mention the clauses and terms that the franchisor needs the franchisee to abide by. The agreement should be legal-sounding and acceptable by the franchisee. This will avoid any conflicting situations in the future.
What Is a Franchise Agreement?
This agreement serves a critical role in building a healthy relationship between franchisor and franchisee for the long-term. It helps in avoiding arguments as everything is already mentioned in the agreement.
It provides the legal right to a franchisee to sell the products and services and contact the resource management, which belongs to the franchisor.
The franchisees will work on their establishments and abide by the terms mentioned in the agreement. A franchisee should always consider this agreement as a crucial part of starting a business.
They need to negotiate the terms which promise the delivery of items that the established franchise requires. This creates a sense of reliability between the franchisor and the franchisee.
Being negotiable, the franchise agreement highlights the prices of the products. This agreement creates a sense of responsibility in both parties as they tend to be fair regarding the deal.
Franchisees might have to pay specific on-going fees if any mentioned in the agreement. A legal and acceptable agreement is required to ensure the acceptance of both parties. The agreement should contain proposals which meet the individual needs of both parties.
This could be made easy with a smart franchise agreement template which could help in customizing the clauses.
Get a Copy of Franchise Agreement Template Now!
To prevent stamping on anyone’s rights, it is essential that both franchisor and franchisee draft, fill and sign a franchise agreement.
Download our free franchise agreement sample now to save yourself the stress of creating one afresh. Simply click the download button below to get you started.
Types of Franchise Agreement
Franchise agreements can be classified into different types based on the number of arrangement units provided to a specific franchisee and accordingly the permission for various rights given to that establishment. These types are listed below.
Singular Setup Franchise Agreement
This agreement designates the franchisee the rights to set up and handle only a single franchise unit. This is a widespread agreement as it will enable newbies to explore the franchise.
The franchisees can upgrade to an expansion of their business if the situation seems prospering.
Multi-Unit Franchise Agreement
A multi-unit agreement provides the franchisee with the exclusive rights to develop multiple franchise units.
The units may be spread in different areas, far from each other. This agreement might accompany a deadline issued by the franchisor, relating to the establishment of a number as mentioned earlier of units.
Area Development Franchise Agreement
This agreement calls for the franchisee to set up multiple units at a particular area. The franchisor will not allow any other party to set up their franchise in that specific area until the agreement ends.
This agreement provides exclusive rights to develop a franchise in a territory unique to a single party.
Master Franchise Agreement
This agreement offers almost all the rights which cover some of the franchisor’s rights as well.
Along with the right to set up a franchise in a unique territory, this agreement also allows the franchisee to sell franchises that are established by him/her. This designates the franchisee as a franchisor for a specific area.
These different types of agreements require a smart negotiation of the terms and conditions. CocoSign helps you by providing a sample franchise agreement which clarifies the presentation of these various agreements.
What Are the Essential Elements of a Franchise Agreement?
The franchise agreement involves the presence of specific nominal terms which are required for the smooth functioning of a healthy relationship between the franchisor and the franchisee. These terms are listed below.
- Details About the Validity: This includes the period for which the franchise agreement is active and the rights that will be offered to the franchisee regarding further agreements after the end of the agreement.
- Details of Fees: This section instructs the free pattern that will be followed. This pattern includes the initial charges for purchasing the rights and the charges for continuing the agreement after the agreement ends.
- Assigned Location: Certain franchisors avail a particular territory in which the franchisee can establish and develop the business. These locations might be unique to a single franchisee, depending upon the type of agreement.
- Training Support: The franchisors generally avail training opportunities for the franchise staff, which include different aspects such as field training, quality assessment and many more.
- Rights to Use Branding Symbols: A franchise agreement also highlights the rights that are provided to the franchisee, which consist of the use of various branding techniques including trademarks, symbols and franchise manuals.
- Insurance Requirements: The franchisor mentions beforehand the minimum insurance that a franchisee needs to have before establishing a franchise. This is done to ensure the safety of the funds invested in the products and services delivered.
- Terms of Advertisement: The agreement mentions the charges that the franchisee will have to pay to advertise his/her business with the franchisor. The costs are cut according to the negotiation between both parties.
These fundamental elements should be critically analyzed to present the best agreement terms for both parties.
Drawbacks of Not Participating in a Franchise Agreement
A franchise agreement is considered very vital in the modern era. If you are thinking of avoiding spending time on agreeing, think again! You might get yourself knocked out.
- An agreement should be made whenever investing a large sum of money. Without a franchise agreement, you might face fraud and false allegations. And the worst part is, you won’t have any written piece of evidence to fight within the front of the jury.
- The franchisee might face a loss if the franchisor decides to increase the price of the stock. This could be avoided only if an agreement is signed beforehand by both parties.
- The franchisor might feel threatened if the franchisee excessively uses the resources and branding symbols. This could lead to conflicts between both sides, thus disrupting the relationship for the future.
- There might be arguments related to the continuing fee. These can be avoided only when the terms of payments are aforementioned in a legally signed franchise agreement.
Get a Copy of Franchise Agreement Template Now!
To prevent stamping on anyone’s rights, it is essential that both franchisor and franchisee draft, fill and sign a franchise agreement.
Download our free franchise agreement sample now to save yourself the stress of creating one afresh. Simply click the download button below to get you started.
Conclusion
A franchise agreement is necessary to avoid any conflicting situations between both parties. CocoSign offers a free franchise agreement template, which ensures the building of trust and reliability between both parties.
CocoSign considers all the aspects and provides well-designed franchising agreement examples to offer the best negotiations possible. These agreements can be customized according to the particular needs of different customers.
We also provide franchise agreement template free download links for customers who wish to understand the terms and conditions in a better way. We offer to help you create your personalized franchise agreement which will suit your unique needs.
DOCUMENT PREVIEW
FRANCHISE AGREEMENT
This Franchise Agreement ("Agreement") is made and effective this [Date],
BETWEEN: [YOUR COMPANY NAME] (the "Franchisor"), a company organized and existing under the laws of the [State/Province] of [STATE/PROVINCE], with its head office located at:
[YOUR COMPLETE ADDRESS]
AND: [FRANCHISEE NAME] (the "Franchisee"), an individual with his main address located at OR a company organized and existing under the laws of the [State/Province] of [STATE/PROVINCE], with its head office located at:
[COMPLETE ADDRESS]
WHEREAS, Franchisor and certain of its Affiliates own, operate and franchise [DESCRIPTION] throughout [COUNTRY] which, among other things, rent, sell and market [PRODUCT/SERVICE] to the [general public or Coporations or Government]; and
WHEREAS, Franchisor and certain of its Affiliates acquire, produce, license market and sell [PRODUCT/SERVICE]; and
WHEREAS, Franchisee is willing to purchase on a per Location (the terms initially capitalized in this Agreement and not otherwise defined herein shall have the respective meanings set forth in Paragraph 18 of this Agreement) basis a specified number of [PRODUCT/SERVICE]; and
WHEREAS, Franchisor is willing to provide various marketing, advertising and promotional services and activities in support of Franchisee;
NOW, THEREFORE, based on the above premises and in consideration of the covenants and agreements contained herein, and intending to be legally bound, the parties agree hereto as follows:
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AGREEMENT TERM
The term of this Agreement shall be for the period (the "Term"), commencing as of the date of this Agreement. Each year of the Term, as measured from the date of this Agreement, is a "Contract Year."
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TERRITORY
The territory for purposes of this Agreement with respect to [PRODUCT/SERVICE] shall be [COUNTRY], their territories and possessions (the "Territory"), except with respect to those [PRODUCT/SERVICE] for which Franchisee has only [COUNTRY] Distribution Rights, in which case, the Territory with respect to such [PRODUCT/SERVICE] shall be limited to [COUNTRY] and, if and to the extent Franchisor owns or controls such rights, to territories and possessions of [COUNTRY]).
© Copyright Envision SBS. 2007. All rights reserved. Protected by the copyright laws of the United States & Canada and by international treaties. IT IS ILLEGAL AND STRICTLY PROHIBITED TO DISTRIBUTE, PUBLISH, OFFER FOR SALE, LICENSE OR SUBLICENSE, GIVE OR DISCLOSE TO ANY OTHER PARTY, THIS PRODUCT IN HARD COPY OR DIGITAL FORM. ALL OFFENDERS WILL BE SUED IN A COURT OF LAW.
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REVENUE SHARING
Franchisee shall remit to Franchisor [%] of the net profits of its business in the form of [royalties, ETC]. [DESCRIBE IN DETAILS REVENUE SHARING BETWEEN FRANCHISOR AND FRANCHISEE].
Distribution of profits shall be made on the [day] of [monthS].
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FRANCHISOR COMMITMENTS
Beginning as of the date of this Agreement for [number of Locations] located in [COUNTRY] within [NUMBER] calendar months hereafter, and for Participating Franchises within [NUMBER] calendar months hereafter, Franchisee agrees as follows:
4.1 Purchasing
The following purchasing requirements shall apply to all Locations and Participating Franchises
A. [FRANCHISEE REQUIREMENT]
B. [FRANCHISEE REQUIREMENT]
C. [FRANCHISEE REQUIREMENT]
4.2 Missing Products
For each [PRODUCT TYPE] that is lost, stolen or otherwise not reasonably accounted for, for more than [SPECIFY] calendar days during the period commencing upon delivery to Franchisor's distribution center and ending on the last day of the relevant Revenue Sharing Period, Franchisee shall pay [AMOUNT] to Franchisor. For any such [PRODUCT TYPE] Franchisee will reimburse Franchisor the applicable distribution wholesale price less the applicable average Purchase Price received by Franchisee.
4.3 Payment
The parties acknowledge and agree that if Franchisee fails to order [NUMBER OF UNITS] required under Paragraph 3.1, Franchisee shall pay [AMOUNT] to Franchisor, as liquidated damages, an amount equal to [AMOUNT] for each unit which Franchisee failed to order. If Franchisor fails to deliver the number or units ordered by Franchisee under Paragraph 3.1, Franchisor shall pay to Franchisee, as liquidated damages, an amount equal to [AMOUNT] for each unit which Franchisor failed to deliver. The parties hereto expressly agree and acknowledge that actual damages for purposes of this Subparagraph would be difficult to ascertain and that the amount set forth above represents the parties' reasonable estimate of such damages.
4.4 Marketing
With respect to advertising of [PRODUCT/SERVICE], Franchisee agrees to consult with Franchisor and to keep Franchisor reasonably appraised of its marketing plans and activities and to comply with Franchisor's then-current customary marketing support policies and practices to the extent they are reasonable and practicable. Franchisor shall have the right to approve such plans, and Franchisee shall provide a timely opportunity for said approval by Franchisor. Franchisor shall exercise its approval rights in a timely and reasonable manner.
Should Franchisee fail to comply in good faith with its obligations under Paragraph 3.4, Franchisor shall be entitled to give written notice to Franchisee of such failure. In no event shall Franchisor be obligated to provide such advertising which it would otherwise have been obligated to provide during such time as Franchisor's obligations hereunder were suspended because of Franchisee's failure to fulfill its obligations under this Paragraph 3.4.
© Copyright Envision SBS. 2007. All rights reserved. Protected by the copyright laws of the United States & Canada and by international treaties. IT IS ILLEGAL AND STRICTLY PROHIBITED TO DISTRIBUTE, PUBLISH, OFFER FOR SALE, LICENSE OR SUBLICENSE, GIVE OR DISCLOSE TO ANY OTHER PARTY, THIS PRODUCT IN HARD COPY OR DIGITAL FORM. ALL OFFENDERS WILL BE SUED IN A COURT OF LAW.
4.5 Participating Franchises
While Franchisee cannot guarantee that its Franchises will adopt the Agreement, Franchisee will use good faith commercially reasonable efforts to recommend adoption of the Agreement to its Franchises and anticipates a high level of adoption thereby. Franchisor hereby agrees that each Participating Franchise shall execute a letter agreement, which has been approved by Franchisee in form and substance, in favor of Franchisor, agreeing to be bound by the terms and conditions of this Agreement as if it were a party hereto (the "Participating Franchise"). Franchisee shall be liable for each Participating Franchise's performance of its financial obligations hereunder as if such Participating Franchise were a Location. Franchisor shall have the right to proceed against Franchisee for money only for any failure of a Participating Franchise to fully perform the financial terms and conditions of this Agreement. Participating Franchises shall be subject to the same terms and conditions under the Agreement as Locations, unless specifically designated otherwise. Implementation of the Agreement at the Franchise level and Franchise payments there under will be administered by Franchisor.
4.6 Placement
Franchisee shall exercise good faith commercially reasonable efforts to maximize revenue on the [SALE OR RENTAL] of [PRODUCT/SERVICE]. At all times during the entire Revenue Sharing Period, Franchisee shall make available for [SALE OR RENTAL] at each Location all of the [PRODUCT/SERVICE] purchased for such Location.
4.7 Packing and Shipping
Franchisor will be solely responsible for making [PRODUCT/SERVICE] ready for consumer [PURCHASE/RENTAL] and for shipping the [PRODUCT/SERVICE] from its distribution center to Franchisee’s Locations.
4.8 Returns/Exchanges
The purchase requirements set forth in Paragraph 3.1 shall not be subject to any returns by Franchisee. Franchisor will exchange defective or damaged products. Defective products shall mean those that are mechanically defective, mispackaged, physically blemished or contain extraneous material. Franchisee shall report defective or damaged products to Franchisor promptly following discovery of such defect or damage.
4.9 Location Count
Franchisee will report to Franchisor on a calendar month basis the number of currently operating Locations, including Participating Franchises, non-participating Franchises, New Franchisor Locations and recently closed Locations.
4.10 Demographic Information
Franchisee will provide to Franchisor, on an ongoing basis, information regarding the demographic make-up generally of Franchisee customers.
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COMMITMENTS
5.1 Marketing Support
In lieu of specific marketing support programs such as rebate, co-op and MDF programs, and as payment for services and in consideration for the various other services and activities which Franchisee has agreed to perform hereunder for the benefit of Franchisor, such as sales and rental r
© Copyright Envision SBS. 2007. All rights reserved. Protected by the copyright laws of the United States & Canada and by international treaties. IT IS ILLEGAL AND STRICTLY PROHIBITED TO DISTRIBUTE, PUBLISH, OFFER FOR SALE, LICENSE OR SUBLICENSE, GIVE OR DISCLOSE TO ANY OTHER PARTY, THIS PRODUCT IN HARD COPY OR DIGITAL FORM. ALL OFFENDERS WILL BE SUED IN A COURT OF LAW.
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TERMINATION
The following transactions or occurrences shall constitute material events of default (each an "Event of Default") by the applicable party (the "defaulting party") hereunder such that, in addition to and without prejudice to or limiting any other rights and remedies available to the non-defaulting party at law or in equity the non-defaulting party may elect to immediately and prospectively terminate this Agreement at the sole discretion of the non-defaulting party by giving written notice thereof to the other party at any time after the occurrence of an Event of Default setting forth sufficient facts to establish the existence of such Event of Default.
8.1 Material Breach
A material breach by a party of any material covenant, material warranty, or material representation contained herein, where such defaulting party fails to cure such breach within [NUMBER] calendar days after receipt of written notice thereof, or within such specific cure period as is expressly provided for elsewhere in this Agreement; or
8.2 Insolvency and/or Bankruptcy
A party makes an attempt to make any arrangement for the benefit of creditors, or a voluntary or involuntary bankruptcy, insolvency or assignment for the benefit of creditors of a party or in the event any action or proceeding is instituted relating to any of the foregoing and the same is not dismissed within [NUMBER] calendar days after such institution; or
8.3 Failure to Make Payment
A failure by either party to make payment of any monies payable pursuant to this Agreement, as and when payment is due. Except as otherwise provided herein, no termination of this Agreement for any reason shall relieve or discharge any party hereto from any duty, obligation or liability hereunder which was accrued as of the date of such termination.
9. PUBLIC DISCLOSURE AND CONFIDENTIALITY
9.1 Public Disclosure
Each party agrees that no press release or public announcement relating to the existence or terms of this Agreement (including within the context of a trade press or other interview or advertisement in any media) shall be issued without the express prior written approval of the other party hereto.
9.2 Confidential Information
During the Term and for a period of [SPECIFY YEARS/MONTHS] thereafter, Franchisee and Franchisor shall hold, and shall cause each of their directors, officers, employees and agents to hold in confidence the terms of this Agreement (including the financial terms and provisions hereof and all information received pursuant to, or developed in accordance with, this Agreement) specifically including but not limited to the Franchisor. Franchisee and Franchisor hereby acknowledge and agree that all information contained in, relating to or furnished pursuant to this Agreement, not otherwise known to the public, is confidential and proprietary and is not to be disclosed to third parties without the prior written consent of both Franchisee and Franchisor. Neither Franchisee nor Franchisor shall disclose such information to any third party (other than to officers, directors, employees, attorneys, accountants and agents of Franchisee and Franchisor or the affiliates of either, who have a business reason to know or have access to such information, and only after each of whom agrees to being bound by this paragraph) except:
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To the extent necessary to comply with any Law or the valid order of a governmental agency or court of competent jurisdiction or as part of its normal reporting or review procedure to regulatory agencies or as required by the rules of any major stock exchange on which either party'
© Copyright Envision SBS. 2007. All rights reserved. Protected by the copyright laws of the United States & Canada and by international treaties. IT IS ILLEGAL AND STRICTLY PROHIBITED TO DISTRIBUTE, PUBLISH, OFFER FOR SALE, LICENSE OR SUBLICENSE, GIVE OR DISCLOSE TO ANY OTHER PARTY, THIS PRODUCT IN HARD COPY OR DIGITAL FORM. ALL OFFENDERS WILL BE SUED IN A COURT OF LAW.
n accordance with its terms, except as enforceability may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or other similar laws now or hereinafter in effect, affecting the enforcement of creditors' rights in general and by general principles of equity, regardless of whether such enforceability is considered in a proceeding in equity or at law.
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FRANCHISEE'S REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES
Franchisee represents and warrants that:
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It is a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the [SPECIFY COUNTRY AND/OR STATE/PROVINCE] with its principal place of business in the [SPECIFY COUNTRY];
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The undersigned has the full right, power and authority to sign this Agreement on behalf of Franchisee;
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There is no broker, finder or intermediary involved in connection with the negotiations and discussions incident to the execution of this Agreement, and no broker, finder, agent or intermediary who might be entitled to a fee, commission or any other payment upon the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement;
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This Agreement has been duly executed and delivered and constitutes the legal, valid and binding obligation of Franchisee enforceable in accordance with its terms, except as enforceability may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or other similar laws now or hereinafter in effect, affecting the enforcement of creditors' rights in general and by general principles of equity, regardless of whether such enforceability is considered in a proceeding in equity or at law; and
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The execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement does not, and will not, violate any provisions of Franchisee's articles or certificates of incorporation and bylaws, or any contract or other Agreement to which Franchisee is a party.
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FORCE MAJEURE
The duties and obligations of the parties hereunder may be suspended upon the occurrence and continuation of any "Event of Force Majeure" which inhibits or prevents performance hereunder, and for a reasonable start-up period thereafter. An "Event of Force Majeure" shall mean any act, cause, contingency or circumstance beyond the reasonable control of such party (whether or not reasonably foreseeable), including, without limitation, to the extent beyond the reasonable control of such party, any governmental action, nationalization, expropriation, confiscation, seizure, allocation, embargo, prohibition of import or export of goods or products, regulation, order or restriction (whether foreign, federal or state), war (whether or not declared), civil commotion, disobedience or unrest, insurrection, public strike, riot or revolution, lack or shortage of, or inability to obtain, any labor, machinery, materials, fuel, supplies or equipment from normal sources of supply, strike, work stoppage or slowdown, lockout or other labor dispute, fire, flood, earthquake, drought or other natural calamity, weather or damage or destruction to plants and/or equipment, commandeering of vessels or other carriers resulting from acts of God, or any other accident, condition, cause, contingency or circumstances including (without limitation, acts of God) within or without [COUNTRY]. Neither party shall, in any manner whatsoever, be liable or otherwise responsible for any delay or default in, or failure of, performance resulting from or arising out of or in connection with any Event of Force Majeure and no such delay, default in, or failure of, performance shall constitute a breach by either party hereunder. As soon as reasonably possible following the occurrence of an Event of Force Majeure, the affected party shall notify the other party, in writing, as to the date and nature of such Event of Force Majeure and the effects of same. If any Event of Force Majeure shall prevent the performance of a material obligation of either party hereunder, and if the same shall have continued for a period of longer than [SPECIFY] days, then either party hereto shall have the right to terminate this Agreement by written notice to the other party hereto.
© Copyright Envision SBS. 2007. All rights reserved. Protected by the copyright laws of the United States & Canada and by international treaties. IT IS ILLEGAL AND STRICTLY PROHIBITED TO DISTRIBUTE, PUBLISH, OFFER FOR SALE, LICENSE OR SUBLICENSE, GIVE OR DISCLOSE TO ANY OTHER PARTY, THIS PRODUCT IN HARD COPY OR DIGITAL FORM. ALL OFFENDERS WILL BE SUED IN A COURT OF LAW.
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INDEMNIFICATION
Each party (the "Indemnifying Party") shall indemnify and hold the other party and its affiliates and their respective employees, officers, agents, attorneys, stockholders and directors, and their respective permitted successors, licensees and assigns (the "Indemnified Party(ies)") harmless from and against (and shall pay as incurred) any and all claims, proceedings, actions, damages, costs, expenses and other liabilities and losses (whether under a theory of strict liability, or otherwise) of whatsoever kind or nature
("Claim(s)") incurred by, or threatened, imposed or filed against, any Indemnified Party (including, without limitation, (a) actual and reasonable costs of defense, which shall include without limitation court costs and reasonable attorney and other reasonable expert and reasonable third party fees; and (b) to the extent permitted by Law, any fines, penalties and forfeitures) in connection with any proceedings against an Indemnified Party caused by any breach (or, with respect to third party claims only, alleged breach) by the Indemnifying Party of any representation, term, warranty or agreement hereunder. Neither party shall settle, compromise or consent to the entry of any judgment in or otherwise seek to terminate any pending or threatened Claim in respect of which the Indemnified Party is entitled to indemnification hereunder (whether or not the Indemnified Party is a party thereto), without the prior written consent of the other party hereto; provided, however, that the Indemnifying Party shall be entitled to settle any claim without the written consent of the Indemnified Party so long as such settlement only involves the payment of money by the Indemnifying Party and in no way affects any rights of the Indemnified Party.
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REMEDIES
No remedy conferred by any of the specific provisions of this Agreement is intended to be exclusive of any other remedy which is otherwise available at law, in equity, by statute or otherwise, and except as otherwise expressly provided for herein, each and every other remedy shall be cumulative and shall be in addition to every other remedy given hereunder or now or hereafter existing at law, in equity, by statute or otherwise and no provision hereof shall be construed so as to limit any party's available remedies in the event of a breach by the other party hereto. The election of any one or more of such remedies by any of the parties hereto shall not constitute a waiver by such party of the right to pursue any other available remedies.
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DEFINITIONS
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"Affiliate" shall mean an entity in which either party has a controlling interest.
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"Franchise" shall mean all Franchisee Locations which Franchisee informs Franchisor are Franchises.
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"Laws" shall mean all international, federal, national, state, provincial, municipal or other laws, ordinances, orders, statutes, rules or regulations.
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"Location" shall mean any Location in [COUNTRY] or [COUNTRY], which, at any time during the Term of this Agreement, is wholly owned and/or operated by Franchisee, whether or not such Location is operated under the "Franchisee" trademarks. Should Franchisee undertake to own or operate outlets different than the outlets it has traditionally operated, such as by way of example, kiosks, carts, "Locations within a Location", "rack jobbing" operations or vending machines, the parties shall negotiate in good faith to agree upon terms for the inclusion of such retail outlets in this Agreement.
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"New Franchisee Location" shall mean a Location which Franchisee or any of its Franchisees or Affiliates first owns or operates after the commencement date of this Agreement, excluding Franchisee's acquisition of franchised Franchisee Locations.