Exhibit 10.22
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MONTANA
MIKE'S
STEAKHOUSE
EXHIBIT F
STOCKADE FRANCHISING, LP
FRANCHISE AGREEMENT
BRANSON RESTAURANTS, INC.
Franchisee
Date of Agreement: July 21, 2005
Date of Restaurant Opening: Sept. 2005
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Section
Page
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1.
GRANT OF FRANCHISE
2
2.
DEVELOPMENT AND OPENING OF THE RESTAURANT
3
3.
TRAINING AND GUIDANCE
5
4.
PROPRIETARY MARKS
7
5.
RELATIONSHIP OF THE PARTIES/INDEMNIFICATION
9
6. FEES
10
7.
CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION
12
8.
RESTAURANT IMAGE AND OPERATING STANDARDS
14
9.
MARKETING
20
10.
ACCOUNTING, REPORTS, AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
23
11. ANNUAL
REVIEWS, INSPECTIONS, AND AUDITS
24
12. TRANSFER
25
13. RENEWAL OF
FRANCHISE
28
14.
TERMINATION OF AGREEMENT BY FRANCHISEE OR CESSATION OF
RESTAURANT OPERATION
29
15.
TERMINATION OF THE FRANCHISE
31
16. RIGHTS AND
OBLIGATIONS OF FRANCHISOR AND FRANCHISEE UPON
TERMINATION OR EXPIRATION OF THE FRANCHISE
34
17. TEMPORARY
DE-IDENTIFICATION OF THE RESTAURANT
37
18. CASUALTY
LOSS OR CONDEMNATION
37
19.
ENFORCEMENT
38
20. NOTICES
AND PAYMENTS
41
21.
ARBITRATION AND DISPUTE RESOLUTION
42
22.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
44
Attachments:
Attachment 1 Guaranty and Assumption of
Obligations...........Attachment 1-1
Attachment 2 Collateral Assignment of
Telephone Numbers,
Telephone Listings, and Internet Addresses.......Attachment 2-1
Attachment 3 Franchisee
Questionnaire.........................Attachment 3-1
Attachment 4 State Specific
Addenda...........................Attachment 4-1
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STOCKADE FRANCHISING, LP
FRANCHISE AGREEMENT
This Franchise Agreement is made on this 21st day July, 2005,
between
Stockade Franchising, LP, a Nevada limited
partnership "Franchisor"), and
Branson Restaurants, Inc.
("Franchisee").
WITNESSETH:
WHEREAS, Franchisor owns certain confidential information relating
to,
and has designed, instituted, developed and
promoted a unique restaurant concept
for which substantial goodwill has been
created. Such restaurants consist of
family steak houses and are operated under
the trade name "MONTANA MIKE'S
STEAKHOUSE(R)," utilize distinctive
recipes, ingredients, and methods of
preparing and serving foods, and are
operated with uniform formats, systems,
menus, methods, specifications, standards,
and procedures ("System"), all of
which may be improved, further developed,
or otherwise modified by Franchisor
from time-to-time. Franchisor uses,
promotes, and licenses the proprietary
service mark "MONTANA MIKE'S STEAKHOUSE(R)"
(and associated designs) and other
trademarks, service marks, logos, and
commercial symbols in connection therewith
("Proprietary Marks"); and
WHEREAS, Franchisor grants to persons who meet Franchisor's
qualifications and are willing to undertake
the requisite investment and effort
to establish and develop "MONTANA MIKE'S
STEAKHOUSE(R)" restaurants ("Franchised
Restaurants"), franchises to operate
Franchised Restaurants offering the food
items authorized and approved by Franchisor
and utilizing the System and the
Proprietary Marks; and
WHEREAS, Franchisee acknowledges that he has read this Agreement
and
Franchisor's Uniform Franchise Offering
Circular and that Franchisee understands
and accepts the terms, conditions and
covenants contained in this Agreement as
being reasonably necessary to maintain
Franchisor's high standards of quality
and service and the uniformity of those
standards at all Franchised Restaurants
in order to protect and preserve the
goodwill of the Proprietary Marks; and
WHEREAS, Franchisee acknowledges that other license or
franchise
agreements have been or may be granted by
Franchisor at different times and in
different situations and further
acknowledges that the terms and conditions of
such agreements may vary from those
contained in this Agreement; and
WHEREAS, Franchisee acknowledges that he has conducted an
independent
investigation of the business venture
contemplated by this Agreement and
recognizes that, like any other business,
it involves business risks and that
the success of the venture is largely
dependent upon the business abilities of
Franchisee; and
WHEREAS, Franchisor expressly disclaims the making of, and
Franchisee
acknowledges that it has not received or
relied upon, any guaranty, express or
implied, as to the revenues, profits, or
success of the business venture
contemplated by this Agreement; and
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WHEREAS, Franchisee acknowledges that he has not received or relied
on
any representations about the franchise
granted in this Agreement by Franchisor,
or its officers, directors, employees, or
agents, that are contrary to the
statements made in Franchisor's Uniform
Franchise Offering Circular or to the
terms of this Agreement and that in all of
their dealings with Franchisee, the
officers, directors, employees, and agents
of the Franchisor act only in a
representative capacity and not in an
individual capacity; and
WHEREAS, Franchisee further acknowledges that this Agreement, and
all
business dealings between Franchisee and
such individuals as a result of this
Agreement, are solely between Franchisee
and Franchisor; and
WHEREAS, Franchisee further' represents to the Franchisor, as
an
inducement to its entry into this
Agreement, that Franchisee has made no
misrepresentations in obtaining the
franchise granted herein.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants and
promises
contained in this Agreement, and for other
good and valuable consideration, the
receipt and sufficiency of which is hereby
acknowledged, the parties hereto
hereby agree as follows.
1. GRANT OF FRANCHISE
1.01 Grant of License. Franchisee has applied for a franchise to
own
and operate one (1) Franchised Restaurant
at 3215 W. Highway 76, Branson, MO
65616 , ("Premises") and such application
has been approved by Franchisor in
reliance upon all of the representations
made in this Agreement. Franchisor
hereby grants to Franchisee, subject to all
of the terms, provisions, and
conditions contained in this Agreement, a
non-exclusive franchise ("Franchise")
to operate a Franchised Restaurant solely
at the Premises, and to use the System
and Proprietary Marks in the operation
thereof, for a term of fifteen (15) years
commencing on the opening of the Franchised
Restaurant (as set forth on the
cover page of this Franchise Agreement)
unless sooner terminated, as provided in
Section 15. Termination or expiration of
this Agreement shall constitute a
termination or expiration of the
Franchise.
Provided Franchisee is in substantial compliance with this
Agreement,
Franchisor shall not operate or grant a
franchise for the operation of another
Franchised Restaurant within a three (3)
mile radius of the above Premises
("Exclusive Area") nor will Franchisor
itself operate or grant a franchise for
the operation of any other family-style
steak house restaurant similar to the
type of restaurant used in the System
without first offering such restaurants to
Franchisee in a manner comparable to that
provided to Franchisor in Section 12
of this Agreement.
1.02 Retention of Certain Rights. Notwithstanding anything to
the
contrary, Franchisor (on behalf of itself
and its affiliates) retains the right
in its sole discretion to:
(a) establish company-owned stores or grant the rights to
operate Franchised Restaurants providing products or services
outside
of the Exclusive Area.
(b) offer and sell food products, including frozen products,
under the Proprietary Marks, or other marks, through retail
locations,
including retail food stores, convenience stores, hotel shops,
kiosks,
theatres, malls, airports, college campuses, gas stations, and
other
retail locations, at special events or through any other channels
of
distribution, including other restaurants, mail order,
catalogue
sales, or over the Internet, within or outside the Exclusive
Area.
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(c) establish or grant the rights to operate restaurants
providing products or services other than under the Proprietary
Marks,
including utilizing Franchisor's other marks, specifically licensed
to
Franchisee in the Franchise Agreement within or outside the
Exclusive
Area.
(d) offer or sell any products or services under any other
marks through any other channels of distribution regardless of
location.
(e) Purchase, or be purchased by, or merge or combine with,
any competing or
non-competing business, wherever located.
1.03 Agreement to Operate. Franchisee agrees that it will at all
times,
faithfully, honestly and diligently perform
its obligations of this Agreement,
that it will continuously exert its best
efforts to promote and enhance the
business of the Franchise and that it will
not engage in the operation of any
other steak house, restaurant (whether full
or limited service) or similar
business or activity that may conflict with
its obligations, in Franchisor's
sole discretion, without prior notification
and approval by Franchisor in
writing. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the
operation of another restaurant
concept by Franchisee as a duly franchised
franchisee of Franchisor shall not
constitute a breach of this Section
1.03.
2. DEVELOPMENT AND OPENING OF THE
RESTAURANT
2.01 Site Plan Approval; Construction. Franchisee shall not commit
to
purchase or lease any real property, and
Franchisee shall not commence any
constmction, unless and until the
Franchisor has specifically accepted in
writing the site location of the Franchised
Restaurant proposed by Franchisee
and the site plan and other plans and
specifications in accordance with which
such Franchised Restaurant shall be
constructed and equipped. In the event
Franchisee leases any real property for the
development of the Franchised
Restaurant, Franchisee shall cause such
lease to contain provisions which state
that (1) such lease is assignable to
Franchisor without the prior approval of
the lessor, (2) that Franchisor shall be
entitled to receive notice of any
Franchisee defaults and the right, but not
the obligation, to cure such
defaults; (3) that upon taking assignment
from Franchisee, Franchisor shall be
entitled to reassign or sublet the Premises
to any affiliate or franchisee of
Franchisor and to be released from any
further liability under the Lease in case
of an assignment; and (4) that Franchisor
shall be entitled to receive from
Lessor copies of any reports or financial
statements submitted to Lessor by
Franchisee. Franchisee shall cause all
construction and equipping of the
Franchised Restaurant licensed hereunder to
be done in strict compliance with
plans and specifications previously
provided and accepted by the Franchisor. No
deviations therefrom shall be made without
the express written acceptance of the
Franchisor. The Franchisor shall have the
right to supervise and inspect all
construction to ensure its compliance with
approved plans and specifications.
After completion of construction,
Franchisee shall not alter, add to, eliminate
or modify the interior or exterior of such
Franchised Restaurant or any
equipment, furnishings or fixtures therein
without the prior approval of the
Franchisor.
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2.02 Architectural Plans. In the event Franchisee causes a
free-standing Franchised Restaurant to be
constructed at the Premises,
Franchisor shall furnish standard plans and
specifications for a prototype
Franchised Restaurant or applicable copies
of blueprints from completed
restaurant conversions reflecting
Franchisor's then current requirements for its
design, materials, layout, equipment,
fixtures, furniture, furnishings and
decoration. It shall be the sole obligation
of Franchisee to modify Franchisor's
standard plans and specifications to the
extent necessary to comply with all
applicable ordinances, building codes,
permit requirements, lease requirements
and restrictions and market considerations.
Franchisee shall bear all expenses
of obtaining all requisite professional
certifications required to construct the
Premises. The cost of all modifications
shall be at Franchisee's sole expense.
In the event Franchisee remodels an in-
line building, or a free-standing
building, it shall be Franchisee's
responsibility to obtain plans and
specifications at Franchisee's expense. If
plans and specifications are prepared
by Franchisee, or for Franchisee by anyone
other than Franchisor, or if plans
and specifications furnished by Franchisor
for the Franchised Restaurant are
modified by or for Franchisee by anyone
other than Franchisor, Franchisee shall
submit final, detailed plans and
specifications to Franchisor for its prior
written consent before any remodeling or
construction is commenced. All
construction and remodeling must be in
strict accordance with plans and
specifications furnished or approved by
Franchisor. Franchisor shall have the
right to supervise and to inspect all
construction and renovation to insure its
compliance with approved plans and
specifications.
2.03 Franchised Restaurant Development. Franchisee agrees at
its
expense to do or cause to be done the
following within one (1) year after the
date of this Agreement:
(a) secure all financing required to fully develop the
Franchised Restaurant;
(b) obtain all required building, utility, sign, health,
sanitation, business permits and licenses, and any other
required
permits and licenses;
(c)
construct all required improvements to the Premises and
decorate the Franchised Restaurant in compliance with plans and
specifications approved by Franchisor;
(d) purchase and install all required fixtures, equipment,
furniture, furnishings and signs required for the Franchised
Restaurant;
(e) purchase an opening inventory of authorized and approved
food and beverage products and other materials and supplies;
and
(f) open the Franchised Restaurant for business in accordance
with the provisions of Section 1.03.
In the event Franchisee fails to do or cause to be done any of
the
above within the time period specified
above, Franchisee shall pay to
Franchisor, as liquidated damages, the
amount of Two Hundred Dollars ($200) per
day until such time as Franchisee is in
compliance with this Section 2.03 or
until such time as both Franchisor and
Franchisee execute mutual releases
whereby each party releases the other party
from any obligations arising out of
this Agreement or any other agreement.
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2.04 Franchised Restaurant Opening. Franchisor will prepare a
grand
opening advertising and promotional program
for Franchised Restaurant which will
contain Franchisor's standard opening
activities and publicity, and advice and
guidance with regard to staffmg,
decoration, and operation of the Franchised
Restaurant during the grand opening period.
Franchisee shall implement such
grand opening advertising and promotional
program and spend in a manner approved
by Franchisor not less than Five Thousand
Dollars ($5,000) for advertising and
promotional activities during the period
commencing with the opening of the
Franchised Restaurant and ending forty-five
(45) days thereafter.
2.05 Furnishings, Fixtures, Signs. Equipment and Utensils.
Franchisee
agrees to use in the development and
operation of the Franchised Restaurant only
those brands, types, or models of
equipment, fixtures, furniture, furnishings,
signs, and tableware, flatware, glassware,
serving dishes, and table linens
(collectively the "Utensils") that
Franchisor has approved as meeting its
specifications and standards for quality,
design, appearance, warranties, and
function. The equipment, fixtures,
furniture, furnishings, signs, and Utensils
designated by Franchisor from time-to-time,
shall be purchased only from
suppliers approved by Franchisor.
Franchisee shall not install or have installed
any vending machines (other than for
newspaper sales), video games, or similar
devices without the prior written approval
of Franchisor.
3. TRAINING AND GUIDANCE
3.01 Store Management. The Franchised Restaurant must at all times
be
directly supervised by Franchisee or by a
designated restaurant manager
("Restaurant Manager") acceptable to
Franchisor in Franchisor's reasonable
discretion. Franchisor shall furnish to
Franchisee's Restaurant Manager and up
to two assistant managers a training
program of up to eight (8) weeks duration
in the operation of a Franchised Restaurant
during such period as Franchisor
designates prior to the commencement of the
operation of the Franchised
Restaurant. The training program may be
furnished at one (1) or more of
Franchisor's principal offices, another
Company-operated restaurant or a
Franchised Restaurant. Franchisee or the
Franchised Restaurant's Restaurant
Manager, if other than Franchisee, must
successfully complete Franchisor's
training program to the satisfaction of
Franchisor. Franchisee, or the
Restaurant Manager, as the case may be, and
up to two assistant managers, must
be in training at least ninety (90) days
prior to the opening of the Franchised
Restaurant. Any. subsequently hired
Restaurant Manager must successfully
complete Franchisor's training program.
Franchisee shall bear all personnel
expenses of its trainees during all
training programs, including, but not
limited to, salaries, benefits, travel,
food and lodging costs.
3.02 Supplemental
Management During Start-Up Period. To assist with the
store opening, Franchisor shall provide up
to three (3) trainers for up to
fourteen (14) days each to assist with
training before and immediately following
the opening of the Franchised Restaurant.
Franchisor shall bear all personnel
expenses of such trainers, including, but
not limited to, salaries, travel, food
and lodging costs. In addition to the
trainers provided by Franchisor,
Franchisee shall also be required to obtain
up to twelve (12) additional
individuals ("Supplemental Trainers") to
assist with training of Franchisee's
employees during the period before and
immediately after the initial opening of
the Franchised Restaurant, for such length
of time as Franchisor shall
determine. The identities and
qualifications of each Supplemental Trainer shall
be presented in writing to Franchisor not
less than thirty (30) days prior to
the proposed opening of the Franchised
Restaurant. The number of Supplemental
Trainers engaged and the acceptability of
the qualifications of each individual
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Supplemental Trainer shall be at the
discretion of Franchisor. Franchisee shall
bear all personnel expenses incurred from
the use of Supplemental Trainers,
including, but not limited to, salaries,
benefits, travel, food and lodging
costs. It is acknowledged and agreed that
while providing such start-up
assistance Franchisor shall only have a
duty to utilize its reasonable efforts
and shall not be liable to Franchisee or
its owners for any debts, losses, or
obligations incurred by the Franchised
Restaurant, or to any creditor of
Franchisee for any food products,
materials, equipment, fixtures, furnishings,
Utensils, supplies, or services purchased
by the Franchised Restaurant during
the periods of time when the training
services are being rendered by
Franchisor's personnel.
3.03 Restaurant Managers - Generally. In addition to the rights
established hereunder, including those in
Section 11, Franchisor and its
representatives shall have the right to
communicate directly with Franchisee's
Restaurant Manager concerning all matters
of an operational nature. Franchisor
may require Franchisee and/or previously
trained and experienced Restaurant
Managers to attend periodic refresher
courses at locations designated by
Franchisor, and failure of Franchisee or
the Restaurant Manager to attend such
refresher courses shall constitute a
default of this Agreement. Franchisee shall
be responsible for all personnel salaries,
benefits, travel and living expenses
which Franchisee and/or its Restaurant
Manager incur in connection with initial
training and any subsequent refresher
training programs.
3.04 Interference With Employment Relations. During the term of
this
Agreement, neither Franchisor nor
Franchisee shall employ or seek to employ,
directly or indirectly, any person serving
in a managerial position who is at
the time or was at any time during the
prior six (6) months employed by the
other party, its subsidiaries, or by any
franchise holder within Franchisor's
franchise system or any other restaurant or
retail concept then operated,
licensed, franchised, or under development
by Franchisor. This Section shall not
be violated if, at the time Franchisor or
Franchisee employ or seek to employ
such person, the then current or former
employer, as the case may be, has given
its written consent. The parties
acknowledge and agree that in the event this
Section is violated, that notwithstanding
Section 15.01, the former employer
shall be entitled to liquidated damages in
the amount of Twenty-Five Thousand
Dollars ($25,000) plus reimbursement of all
costs and attorney fees incurred.
For purposes of this Section 3.04,
"managerial position" includes all employees
at the pay grade of Restaurant Manager or
assistant manager and above as that
term is defined in the Manual.
3.05 Guidance. Franchisor shall advise Franchisee from time-to-time
of
operating problems of the Franchised
Restaurant disclosed by reports submitted
to or inspections made by Franchisor or by
independent persons hired by
Franchisor ("Mystery Shoppers") and shall
furnish to Franchisee guidance in
connection with:
(a) methods, standards, and operating procedures utilized by
the
Franchised Restaurants;
(b) preparation of food products and development of new
products;
(c) purchasing approved equipment, furnishings, fixtures,
furniture, signs, Utensils, food products, beverages, and
supplies;
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(d) advertising and promotional programs;
(e) employee training; and
(f) administrative, bookkeeping, accounting, and general
operating and management procedures.
Such guidance shall, in the discretion of Franchisor, be furnished
in
the form of the Franchisor's confidential
operations manual ("Manual"),
bulletins, other written materials, and/or
telephonic consultations or
consultations at the offices of Franchisor
or at the Franchised Restaurant. If
requested by Franchisee, Franchisor may, at
its election, furnish additional
guidance and assistance at per diem fees
based upon Franchisor's actual cost in
providing such guidance and assistance.
3.06 Manual. Franchisor will loan to Franchisee during the term of
the
Franchised Restaurant one (1) copy of the
Manual. The Manual shall contain
mandatory and suggested specifications,
standards, and operating procedures
prescribed from time-to-time by Franchisor
for the Franchised Restaurant and
information relative to other obligations
of the Franchisee hereunder and in the
operation of Franchised Restaurants. The
Manual may be modified from
time-to-time in Franchisor's sole
discretion to reflect changes in the image,
decor, design, format, appearance, methods,
standards and specifications,
operating procedures, menus and recipes,
and food products and beverages
approved and required for the Franchised
Restaurants. Franchisee shall keep its
copy of the Manual current and in the event
of a dispute relative to the
contents of the Manual, the master copy
maintained by Franchisor at its
principal office shall be controlling.
Franchisee may not at any time reproduce
any part of the Manual.
4. PROPRIETARY MARKS
4.01 Ownership of Goodwill and Proprietary Marks. Franchisee
acknowledges that Franchisee's right to use
the Proprietary Marks is derived
solely from this Agreement and is limited
to the conduct of business by
Franchisee pursuant to and in compliance
with this Agreement and all applicable
standards, specifications, and operating
procedures prescribed by Franchisor
from time-to-time during the term of this
Agreement. Any unauthorized use of the
Proprietary Marks by Franchisee shall
constitute a breach of this Agreement and
an infringement of the rights of Franchisor
in and to the Proprietary Marks.
Further, Franchisee shall not infringe
upon, nor otherwise unlawfully
commercially exploit, any other trademarks,
service marks, commercial symbols or
tradenanies of any other restaurant concept
which Franchisor may now or
hereafter itself operate, or license or
franchise to others, without the prior
written consent of Franchisor. Franchisee
acknowledges and agrees that all usage
of the Proprietary Marks by Franchisee and
any goodwill established thereby
shall inure to the exclusive benefit of
Franchisor and that this Agreement does
not confer any goodwill or other interests
in the Proprietary Marks upon
Franchisee other than the right to operate
a Franchised Restaurant in compliance
with this Agreement. All provisions of this
Agreement applicable to the
Proprietary Marks shall apply to any
additional proprietary, trade and service
marks, and commercial symbols hereafter
authorized for use by and licensed to
Franchisee by Franchisor.
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4.02 Limitations on Franchisee's Use of Proprietary Marks.
Franchisee
agrees to use the Proprietary Marks as the
sole identification of the Franchised
Restaurant, provided that Franchisee shall
identify itself as the independent
owner thereof in the manner prescribed by
Franchisor. Franchisee shall not use
any Proprietary Mark as part of any
corporate or trade name or with any prefix,
suffix, or other modifying words, terms,
designs, or symbols (other than logos
licensed to Franchisee hereunder), or in
any modified form (including, utilizing
Franchisor's trademarks or registered name
for posting, or for use in, a webpage
on the Internet, registering an Internet
domain name, or in an electronic mail
[e-mail] address), nor may Franchisee use
any Proprietary Mark in connection
with the performance or sale of any
unauthorized services or products or in any
other manner not expressly authorized in
writing by Franchisor. Franchisee
agrees to prominently display the
Proprietary Marks at the Franchised
Restaurant, on menus, supplies, or
packaging materials designated by Franchisor,
and in connection with advertising and
marketing materials. All Proprietary
Marks shall be displayed in the manner
prescribed by Franchisor. Franchisee
agrees to give such notices of trade and
service mark registrations as
Franchisor specifies and to obtain such
fictitious or assumed name registrations
as may be required under applicable
law.
4.03 Infringement. Franchisee shall notify Franchisor in writing
within
three (3) days of the date Franchisee
learns about any apparent infringement of,
or challenge to Franchisee's use of any
Proprietary Mark, or claim by any person
of any rights in any Proprietary Mark or
similar trade name, trademark, or
service mark of which Franchisee becomes
aware. Franchisee shall not communicate
with any person other than Franchisor, its
counsel or Franchisee's counsel in
connection with any such infringement,
challenge, or claim. Franchisor shall
have sole discretion to take such action as
it deems appropriate and the right
to exclusively control any litigation, U.S.
Patent and Trademark Office
proceeding or other administrative
proceeding arising out of any such
infringement, challenge, or claim or
otherwise relating to any Proprietary Mark
or the System. If Franchisor elects, in its
sole discretion, to defend the
infringement allegation, Franchisor shall,
at Franchisor's own cost and expense,
vigorously defend Franchisee to the Court
of first determination against any
challenge to Franchisee's use of any
Proprietary Mark or right to use the
System, or part thereof, or any claim by
any person of any rights in any
Proprietary Mark or similar trade name,
trademark, service mark or trade dress
used in connection with the System or the
business contemplated hereby except
for proprietary rights in trade names,
trademarks, or service marks arising
under the cOmmon law and Franchisor shall
indemnify Franchisee from any and all
loss or damage Franchisee may suffer,
whether by a judgment against Franchisee
or by a settlement consented to by
Franchisor arising from such challenge or
claim. Franchisee shall make no claim
against Franchisor and shall hold
Franchisor harmless from any and all direct
or indirect, costs, damages,
demands, expenses, losses or liabilities
suffered by Franchisee as a result of
any modification of the System necessitated
by such claim or challenge,
including the costs of altering the
Franchised Restaurant, or any reduction in
sales revenues or profits, or increased
capital expenditures or operating costs
resulting from such modification and
occasioned by any litigation arising out of
any such claim or challenge relating to
Franchisee's use of any Proprietary Mark
or right to use the System. Further,
Franchisee shall waive any and all past,
present or future claims, demands, or
actions it may have against Franchisor
arising from such litigation except as
provided in the foregoing provisions of
this Section 4.03. Franchisee agrees to and
shall execute any and all
instruments and documents, render such
assistance and do such acts and things as
may, in the opinion of Franchisor's
counsel, be necessary or advisable to
protect and maintain the interests of
Franchisor in any such litigation, U.S.
Patent and Trademark Office proceeding,
other administrative proceeding, or to
otherwise protect and maintain the
interests of Franchisor in the Proprietary
Marks.
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4.04 Discontinuance of Use of Proprietary Marks. If it becomes
advisable at any time in Franchisor's sole
discretion for Franchisor and/or
Franchisee to modify or discontinue use of
any Proprietary Marks, and/or to use
one (1) or more additional or substitute
trade or service marks, Franchisee
agrees to and shall comply with
Franchisor's direction to supplement, modify or
otherwise discontinue, at Franchisee's own
expense the use of such Proprietary
Marks within a reasonable time after notice
thereof by Franchisor.
5. RELATIONSHIP OF THE
PARTIES/INDEMNIFICATION
5.01 Independent Status. It is understood and agreed by the
parties
hereto that this Agreement does not create
a fiduciary relationship between
them, that Franchisor and Franchisee 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
himself in all dealings with customers,
suppliers, public officials, and others as
the owner of the Franchised
Restaurant under a franchise with
Franchisor and shall place such other notices
of independent ownership on such forms,
guest checks, business cards, comment
cards, stationery, advertising, and other
materials as Franchisor may require
from time-to-time.
5.02 Additional Limitations on Franchisee's Use of Proprietary
Marks.
Franchisor has not authorized or empowered
Franchisee to use the Proprietary
Marks except as provided by this Agreement
and Franchisee shall not employ any
of the Proprietary Marks in signing any
contract, check, purchase agreement,
negotiable instrument, or legal obligation,
application for any license or
permit, or in a manner that may result in
liability of Franchisor for any
indebtedness or obligation of Franchisee.
Except as expressly authorized by this
Agreement, 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.
5.03 Limitations on Liability. 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 hereunder, nor shall
Franchisor be obligated for any damages to
any person or property directly or
indirectly arising out of the operation of
the Franchised Restaurant, or
Franchisee's business authorized by or
conducted pursuant to the Franchise,
whether caused by Franchisee's negligent or
willful action or failure to act to
the relative extent such damages do not
arise out of Franchisor's negligence,
wrongful act or improper failure to act.
Franchisor shall have no liability for
any sales, use, occupation, excise, gross
receipts, income, property or other
taxes, whether levied upon Franchisee, the
Franchised Restaurant, or
Franchisee's property, or upon Franchisor,
in connection with the sales made or
business conducted by Franchisee or
payments to Franchisor pursuant hereto.
5.04 Indemnification. Franchisee shall indemnify and hold
harmless
Franchisor, its shareholders, directors,
officers, employees, agents, and
assignees against any liability for any
claims, including those specified in
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Section 5.03, arising out of the operation
of the Franchised Restaurant. For
purposes of this indemnification, "claims"
shall mean and include all
obligations, actual and consequential
damages, taxes, and costs reasonably
incurred by Franchisor in the defense of
any claim against Franchisor or in any
action in which Franchisor is named as a
party, including without limitation
reasonable accountants', attorneys' and
expert witness fees, costs of
investigation and proof of facts, court
costs, other litigation expenses and
travel and living expenses. Franchisor
shall have the right to defend any such
claim against it by employing reasonable
counsel of its choice, subject to full
reimbursement of all legal fees by
Franchisee. Franchisor shall use its
reasonable efforts to cooperate with
Franchisee in any litigation or judicial or
administrative proceeding to avoid
duplication of time, effort or expenditure to
the greatest extent possible without
compromising Franchisor's interest in such
matter. This indemnity shall continue in
full force and effect subsequent to and
notwithstanding the expiration or
termination of this Agreement.
6. FEES
6.01 Initial Franchise Fees. Franchisee shall pay to the Franchisor
an
initial franchise fee ("Initial Franchise
Fee") in the amount of Twenty Thousand
Dollars ($20,000), which is due and payable
at the time Franchisee submits this
Agreement to Franchisor for execution by
Franchisor. The parties agree that the
Initial Franchise Fee is fully earned by
Franchisor upon receipt of payment by
Franchisee and Franchisee shall not be
entitled to a refund of the Initial
Franchise Fee for any reason.
6.02 Royalty and Service Fee. Franchisee shall pay to Franchisor
during
the term of this Agreement on or before the
tenth (10th) day of each calendar
month a royalty and service fee in the
amount of three percent (3%) of the Net
Sales (as defined in Section 6.03) derived
from the operation of the Franchised
Restaurant for the then preceding calendar
month ("Continuing Royalties"). If
there is hereafter assessed any nature of
sales tax or use tax or other tax on
Continuing Royalties or other sums
previously or hereafter received by
Franchisor under this Agreement ("Sales
Tax"), then in addition to all
Continuing Royalties and other payments to
be made by Franchisee as provided in
this Agreement, Franchisee shall also pay
Franchisor or the taxing authority, if
required by law, a sum equal to the amount
of such Sales Tax. The term "Sales
Tax" shall not include any income taxes
applicable to Franchisor. Any Sales Tax
paid to Franchisor shall be paid when due
to the taxing authority.
6.03 Definition of "Net Sales". As used in this Agreement, the
term
"Net Sales" shall mean the total aggregate
of all monies and receipts received
by Franchisee and derived from (i) all
products prepared and services performed
at the Franchised Restaurant licensed
hereunder, (ii) all sales and orders made,
solicited or received at such location, and
(iii) all other business whatsoever
conducted or transacted at or from such
Franchised Restaurant, and whether such
Net Sales are evidenced by cash, credit,
check, gift certificates, services,
property or other means of exchange and
whether such Net Sales are derived from
the sale of food, beverages, liquor, other
goods (other than restaurant
equipment), supplies or catering services.
Net Sales shall also be deemed to
mean the total aggregate of all monies and
receipts received by Franchisee from
any other business (including but not
limited to, any approved vending or game
machine receipts other than those received
from newspaper vending machines, coin
telephones or jukeboxes) operated upon the
Premises. However, there shall be
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excluded from Net Sales (i) all Sales Taxes
imposed by governmental authorities
directly on sales and actually collected
from customers, provided such taxes are
added to the selling price and accounted
for separately on all sales receipts
and are, in fact, paid by Franchisee to the
appropriate governmental authority,
(ii) promotional or discount sales or
coupons to the extent Franchisee realizes
no revenue therefrom through issuance,
redemption or otherwise, and (iii)
amounts received directly by Franchisee's
employees from customers as gratuities
or tips for services rendered. Net Sales
shall be deemed to be realized by
Franchisee at the time of the sale or
delivery of the products, merchandise, or
services, irrespective of the time when
Franchisee actually received payment.
Net Sales consisting of property or
services shall be valued at their fair
market value at the time such property or
services were received by or for the
account of Franchisee. In the event of the
occurrence of a casualty loss, the
definition of Net Sales shall be an amount
equal to the lost revenues utilized
by Franchisee's insurance company in
calculating the amount of revenues
recoverable under any business interruption
policy.
6.04 Interest on Late Payments. All Continuing Royalties and
marketing
contributions due hereunder, amounts due
for purchases by Franchisee from
Franchisor or its affiliates, and other
amounts which Franchisee owes to
Franchisor or its affiliates shall be paid
punctually, without the necessity for
invoice by Franchisor, and shall bear
interest after the due date at the highest
applicable legal rate for open account
business credit, not to exceed two
percent (2%) per month. Franchisee
acknowledges that this Section shall not
constitute Franchisor's agreement to accept
such payments after such payments
are due or a commitment by Franchisor to
extend credit to, or otherwise fmance
Franchisee's operation of the Franchised
Restaurant. Further, Franchisee
acknowledges that its failure to pay all
amounts when due shall constitute
grounds for termination of this Agreement,
as provided in Section 15,
notwithstanding the provisions of this
Section.
6.05 Application of Payments. Notwithstanding any designation
by
Franchisee, Franchisor shall have sole
discretion to apply any payments by
Franchisee or any rebate or other third
party payment received by Franchisor on
behalf of Franchisee, if any, to any past
due indebtedness of Franchisee for
Continuing Royalties or marketing
contributions due Franchisor, purchases from
Franchisor or its affiliates, interest or
any other indebtedness.
6.06 Retention of Fees by the Franchisor. Franchisee acknowledges
and
agrees that in the event of the termination
of the license granted under this
Agreement for any reason whatsoever, the
Franchisor shall be entitled to retain
for its own account any and all Initial
Franchise Fee and Royalty and Service
Fee payments previously made by Franchisee,
and Franchisee agrees that such
payments shall be fully earned by the
Franchisor as of the date of such
payments, and whether or not the Franchised
Restaurant licensed under this
Agreement is ever opened for business by
Franchisee in the Exclusive Area.
6.07 Concept Transfer Fee: Franchisee shall pay a concept transfer
fee
("Concept Transfer Fee") in the amount of
One Thousand Dollars ($1,000) if
Franchisee requests to change from one
franchise concept to another within
Franchisor's System. The Concept Franchise
Fee shall be paid at the time
Franchisee signs a Franchise Agreement for
the new concept after Franchisor has
approved, in writing, Franchisee's
requested change. Franchisor reserves the
right to grant or deny Franchisee's request
in Franchisor's sole discretion.
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7. CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION
Franchisor possesses certain types of confidential information,
including but not limited to, menu items
and new test menu items, ingredients,
recipes, formulas, and methods of
preparation and presentation of food products
sold at Franchised Restaurants, as well as
the methods, techniques, formats,
specifications, procedures, information,
systems, computer software, and
knowledge of and experience in the
operation and franchising of Franchised
Restaurants, and further including, without
limitation, any and all of the
foregoing that may arise by reason of
Franchisor's franchise of, and
Franchisee's operation of, the Franchised
Restaurant during the term of this
Agreement ("Confidential Information").
Franchisor will disclose the Confidential Information to
Franchisee
when rendering guidance and assistance to
Franchisee under the terms of this
Agreement, including by way of example,
furnishing the Manual.
7.01 Limitation on Interest in Confidential Information.
Franchisee
acknowledges and agrees that, although
Franchisee has the right to use the
Confidential Information, Franchisee will
not acquire any interest in the
Confidential Information, other than the
right to utilize it in the operation of
the Franchised Restaurant (and other
Franchised Restaurants, if any, developed
under other agreements with Franchisor)
during the term of this Agreement, and
that the use or duplication of the
Confidential Information in the operation of
any other family-style steak house or other
business which, in Franchisor's sole
discretion, would constitute an unfair
method of competition.
7.02 Use of Confidential Information. Franchisee acknowledges
and
agrees that the Confidential Information is
proprietary, involves trade secrets
of Franchisor, and is disclosed to
Franchisee solely on the express condition
that Franchisee agrees, and Franchisee does
hereby agree, that Franchisee:
(a) shall not use the Confidential Information in the
operation of any other restaurant, or other business, including
any
other restaurant engaged in the sale or preparation of steak or
a
combination of steak andlor other food items or services;
(b) shall maintain the absolute confidentiality of the
Confidential Information during and after the term of this
Agreement;
(c) shall not make any unauthorized copy, duplicate, record,
or otherwise reproduce all or any portion of the Confidential
Information disclosed in written form;
(d) shall never contest the validity of Franchisor's exclusive
ownership of and rights to the System or the Confidential
Information;
and
(e) shall adopt and implement all reasonable procedures
prescribed from time- to-time by Franchisor to prevent unauthorized
use
or disclosure of the Confidential Information, including
without
limitation, restrictions on disclosure to employees, officers,
and
directors of the Franchisee and the use of non-disclosure and
noncompetition clauses as prescribed by Franchisor in
employment
agreements with any of Franchisee's employees who have access to
the
Confidential Information.
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Notwithstanding the foregoing, the operation of another
restaurant
concept by Franchisee as a duly franchised
franchisee of Franchisor shall not
constitute a breach of this Section
7.02.
7.03 Exception to Restrictions on Confidential Information.
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary
contained in this Agreement, the
restrictions on Franchisee's disclosure and
use of the Confidential Information
shall not apply to the following:
(a) information, processes, or techniques which are or become
generally known and used in the family-style steak house
restaurant
industry, other than through disclosure (whether deliberate or
inadvertent) by Franchisee;
(b) disclosure of the Confidential Information in judicial or
administrative proceedings to the extent that Franchisee is
legally
compelled to disclose such information, provided Franchisee shall
have
used its best efforts, 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; and
(c) disclosure to Franchisee's employees to the extent
necessary for the
proper operation of the Franchised Restaurant.
7.04 Non-Competition Covenant. Franchisee acknowledges and agrees
that
Franchisor would be unable to protect the
Confidential Information against
unauthorized use or disclosure and
Franchisor would also be unable to encourage
a free exchange of ideas and information
among operators of Franchised
Restaurants if franchised owners of
Franchised Restaurants were permitted to
hold interests in any competitive
businesses, as described in this Agreement.
Franchisee also acknowledges that
Franchisor has granted the franchise rights to
Franchisee in part in consideration of, and
in reliance upon, Franchisee's
agreement to deal exclusively with
Franchisor. Accordingly, Franchisee, any
shareholder or partner (in the event
Franchisee is a corporation or
partnership), or any spouse or
unemancipated child of Franchisee or any
shareholder or partner of Franchisee, shall
not have any interest as an owner,
investor, partner, lender, lessor,
director, officer, manager, employee,
consultant, representative, or agent, or in
any other capacity shall not
directly or indirectly enter into the
employ, or work in concert with or serve
as consultant for, any person, partnership,
corporation, association,
organization or other entity engaged in the
operation of a steak house
restaurant or any other restaurant engaged
in the sale or preparation of steak,
or a combination of steak and/or other food
items or services (for example, the
use of buffets) similar to the principal
food items or services then approved by
Franchisor for use in the Franchised
Restaurants then in operation in the System
and located (i) anywhere during the term of
this Agreement and any extension
thereof or (ii) following expiration or
termination of this Agreement within the
Exclusive Area or within a radius of fifty
(50) miles from any Franchisor-owned
or affiliate-owned restaurant or any
franchise concept owned, operated, licensed
or franchised by Franchisor, or any concept
which, in Franchisor's sole
discretion, is similar to any franchise
concept owned, operated, licensed, or
franchised by Franchisor, wherever situated
and operated by whomsoever, then
open or under construction or under lease
or purchase commitment, for a period
of three (3) years after such expiration or
termination. Neither the ownership
of a class of securities listed on a stock
exchange or traded on the
over-the-counter market that represents
five percent (5%) or less of the number
of shares of such class of securities then
issued and outstanding, nor the
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operation of another restaurant concept by
Franchisee as a duly franchised
franchisee of Franchisor, shall constitute
a violation of this Section 7.04.
Franchisor and Franchisee agree that the
Non-Compete Covenant shall not apply to
any business or restaurant owned by
Franchisee prior to Franchisee's entry into
this Agreement.
7.05 Improper Disclosure. In the event Franchisee discovers that
any of
its current or former officers, directors,
partners, Restaurant Managers,
shareholders or related parties thereto are
violating, have violated, or are
commencing to violate the prohibitions on
disclosure or reproduction of
Confidential Information provided for in
this Agreement, Franchisee shall
immediately notif~' Franchisor of such
violation. Franchisor shall seek such
legal and equitable relief, including
seeking monetary damages, as it deems
necessary in its sole discretion. Any and
all damages recovered by Franchisor
pursuant to any such cause of action shall
be the exclusive property of
Franchisor. In the event it is determined
that any of such damages have been
caused by the willful or negligent behavior
of Franchisee or due to the failure
of Franchisee to properly supervise the
actions of the individual found to be in
violation of this Agreement, Franchisor
shall be reimbursed by Franchisee for
all costs and expenses, including
attorneys' fees, that were incurred by
Franchisor in pursuing such cause of
action, whether or not such action results
in a favorable judgment to Franchisor.
7.06 Ownership of Business Records. Franchisee acknowledges and
agrees
that the Franchisor shall at all times have
unrestricted access to all business
records ("Business Records") with respect
to customers, employees, and other
service professionals of, and/or related
to, the Franchised Restaurant
including, without limitation, all
databases (whether in print, electronic or
other form), including all names,
addresses, phone numbers, e-mail addresses,
customer purchase records, and all other
records contained in the database, and
all other Business Records created and
maintained by Franchisee, and that at the
expiration or earlier termination of this
Franchise Agreement, all Business
Records shall become the sole property of
Franchisor. Franchisee further
acknowledges and agrees that, at all times
during and after the termination,
expiration or cancellation of this
Agreement, Franchisor may access such
Business Records, and may utilize,
transfer, or analyze such Business Records as
Franchisor determines to be in the best
interest of the System, in Franchisor's
sole discretion.
8. RESTAURANT IMAGE AND OPERATING
STANDARDS
8.01 Condition and Appearance of the Franchised Restaurant.
Franchisee
shall:
(a) not use the Franchised Restaurant or the Premises for any
purpose other than the operation of a Franchised Restaurant
operated in
compliance with this Agreement;
(b) maintain the condition and appearance of the Franchised
Restaurant and the Premises in accordance with the standards of
Franchisor and consistent with the image of a Franchised Restaurant
as
a clean, sanitary, attractive, and efficiently operated
restaurant
offering high quality food and beverages and courteous and
helpful
service;
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(c) affect such maintenance of the Franchised Restaurant and
the Premises as is
required by Franchisor from time-to-time to maintam
the condition, appearance and efficient operation thereof,
including
without limitation:
(i) continuous and thorough cleaning and sanitation
of the interior and exterior of the Premises;
(ii) continuous and workmanlike interior and exterior
repair of the Premises;
(iii) maintenance of equipment at peak efficiency;
(iv) replacement of worn out or obsolete
improvements, fixtures, furniture, furnishings, equipment,
signs and Utensils, with duly approved improvements, fixtures,
furniture,
furnishings, equipment, signs, and Utensils; and
(v) periodic painting and redecorating.
(d) upgrade and/or remodel the Franchised Restaurant at its
sole cost and expense, which may not be limited in any way,
provided
Franchisee will have a reasonable time period remaining under the
term
of this Agreement to amortize the costs of such improvements,
at
reasonable intervals determined by Franchisor to reflect changes in
the
image, design, format, or operation of Franchised Restaurants
introduced by Franchisor, and required of new Franchised
Restaurant
franchisees, subject to approval by the Franchisor of detailed
plans
and specifications for all construction, repair, or refixturing
in
connection with such upgrading or remodeling; and
(e) place or display at the Premises (interior or exterior)
only such signs, emblems, lettering, logos, and display any
advertising
materials that are from time-to- time approved in writing by
Franchisor.
8.02 Alterations to the Premises by Franchisor. In the event
Franchisee
does not maintain the condition and
appearance of the Franchised Restaurant and
Premises as required under the terms of
this Agreement, Franchisor may, upon not
less than twenty (20) days written notice
to Franchisee:
(a) arrange for the necessary cleaning or sanitation, repair,
remodeling, upgrading, painting, or decorating; and
(b) replace the necessary leasehold improvements, fixtures,
equipment, and signs.
Franchisee shall reimburse Franchisor for the entire costs incurred
by
Franchisor to make such alternations to the
Premises as determined by Franchisor
in Franchisor's reasonable discretion, upon
demand by Franchisor.
8.03 Alterations to the Premises by Franchisee. Franchisee shall
not
make any material replacements of or
alterations to the Premises, improvements,
layout, fixtures, furniture and
furnishings, signs, equipment, Utensils, or
15
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appearance of the Franchised Restaurant as
originally developed without prior
written approval by Franchisor. Franchisee
shall not install or have installed
any vending machines (other than for
newspaper sales), video games, or similar
devices without the prior written approval
of Franchisor.
8.04 Approved Products. Distributors and Suppliers. The reputation
and
goodwill of Franchised Restaurants is based
upon, and can be maintained only by,
the sale of distinctive, high quality food
products and beverages and the
presentation and packaging of such products
in an attractive manner. Franchisee
therefore will conform the Franchised
Restaurant to Franchisor's specifications
and quality standards and shall only
purchase from distributors and suppliers
approved by Franchisor, all food products,
beverages, ingredients, flavorings,
and garnishes used in the preparation of
food products and beverages; menus,
containers, cartons, bags, boxes, napkins,
other paper and plastic goods,
packaging supplies, and other materials and
Utensils.
In approving distributors and suppliers for the Franchised
Restaurant,
Franchisor may take into consideration such
factors as price of products or
supplies and reliability of the proposed
distributor or other supplier.
Franchisor may concentrate purchases with
one (1) or more distributor and/or
other supplier to obtain the lowest prices
and/or the best advertising support
and/or services for any group of
Company-operated restaurants or Franchised
Restaurants. Approval of a distributor or
supplier may be conditioned on
requirements relating to the frequency of
delivery, standards of service,
including prompt attention to complaints,
and concentration of purchases, as set
forth above, and may be temporary, pending
a further evaluation of such
distributor or other supplier by
Franchisor.
If Franchisee proposes to sell any food product or beverage, or use
any
ingredients, flavorings, garnishes, or
containers, cartons, bags, boxes, paper
or plastic goods, packaging supplies or
other materials, or Utensils of any
type, or to purchase such items from a
distributor or other supplier who has not
been previously approved by Franchisor,
Franchisee shall first notify Franchisor
and submit to Franchisor such information,
specifications, and samples as
Franchisor requests. Franchisor shall
within a reasonable time determine whether
such item meets its specifications and
quality standards and/or whether
Franchisor approves such distributor or
other supplier and shall notify
Franchisee whether the Franchised
Restaurant is authorized to utilize or sell
such item and/or purchase from such
distributor or other supplier.
Franchisee acknowledges and agrees that Franchisor may derive
revenue
from the sale of certain proprietary food
products or receive rebates or
commissions from Franchisee's purchases,
and Franchisor shall be entitled to
utilize this revenue for any purpose in its
sole discretion.
8.05 Franchised Restaurant Menu. Franchisee shall continuously
offer
all food items and beverages listed in the
menu approved by Franchisor and shall
comply with all menu cycle procedures
prescribed by Franchisor. If Franchisee
desires to add items to or delete items
from the Franchised Restaurant's menu,
it must first obtain the prior written
approval of Franchisor. Franchisee
acknowledges that Franchisor requires such
approval of new items to assure
itself that such items are of the type and
quality approved for Franchised
Restaurants and are consistent with the
image and format of the Franchised
Restaurants. Franchisee agrees that it will
not, without the prior written
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approval of Franchisor, offer any food
products or beverages or any services
that are not then authorized by Franchisor
for Franchised Restaurants.
8.06 Specifications, Standards and Procedures. Franchisee
acknowledges
that each and every detail of the
appearance, layout, decor, food products,
beverages, Utensils, materials, and
supplies utilized, services offered, and
operation of the Franchised Restaurant is
important to Franchisor's and other
franchisees' Franchised Restaurants.
Franchisor shall endeavor to maintain the
high standards of quality and service by
all Franchised Restaurants franchised
or operated by Franchisee. To this end,
Franchisee shall cooperate with
Franchisor by maintaining these high
standards in the operation of the
Franchised Restaurant. Franchisor shall
have the nglit to rely on responses of
independent Mystery Shoppers in evaluating
Franchisee's performance under this
Agreement. Franchisee agrees to comply with
all mandatory specifications,
standards and operating procedures relating
to:
(a) type, quality, purity, taste, portions, weight and/or
dimensions, ingredients, uniformity, and manner of preparation and
sale
of food products and beverages sold by the Franchised
Restaurant;
(b) appearance and dress of employees;
(c) appearance, cleanliness, sanitation, standards of service,
and operation of the Franchised Restaurant;
(d) submission of requests for approval of food products,
beverages, Utensils, materials, supplies, distributors and
suppliers;
(e) hours and days during which the Franchised Restaurant will
be open for business; and
(f) customer evaluation forms.
Further, all mandatory specifications, standards, and operating
procedures prescribed from time-to-time by
Franchisor in the Manual, or
otherwise communicated to Franchisee in
writing, shall constitute provisions of
this Agreement as if fully set forth
herein. Accordingly, all references in this
Agreement to Franchisee's obligations under
this Agreement shall include all
such mandatory specifications, standards,
and operating procedures. Franchisor
reserves the right to contact any or all of
Franchisee's customers, employees,
suppliers, distributors, and other service
professionals for quality control,
market research, and such other purposes as
Franchisor deems appropriate, in
Franchisor's sole discretion.
8.07 Hours and Days of Business. Unless otherwise agreed upon
by
Franchisor and Franchisee, Franchisee
agrees to operate the Franchised
Restaurant for a minimum of three hundred
sixty (360) days each calendar year,
except such days as the location is closed
for bad weather, civil disorders,
acts of God, repairs and casualty loss or
loss by eminent domain, as provided in
Section 18. Each day the Franchised
Restaurant is open for business, Franchisee
shall conduct business and serve food and
beverage during such hours as may be
specified by Franchisor from time-to-time,
which shall be no less than ten (10)
hours each day, during the term hereof,
subject to the limitations of applicable
local law.
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8.08 Compliance with Laws and Good Business Practices. Franchisee
shall
secure and maintain, in force in its name
all required liquor and business
licenses, permits, and certificates
relating to the operation of the Franchised
Restaurant. Franchisee shall operate the
Franchised Restaurant in full
compliance with all applicable laws,
ordinances, and regulations, including,
without limitation, all government
regulations relating to zoning, access,
variances, occupational hazards, health and
safety, sign and fire requirements,
liquor liability, workers' compensation
insurance, unemployment insurance and
the withholding and payment of federal and
state income taxes, social security
taxes and sales taxes. All marketing by
Franchisee shall be completely factual,
in good taste as determined in the sole
judgment of Franchisor, and shall
conform to the highest standards of ethical
advertising. Franchisee shall in all
dealings with its customers, suppliers,
Franchisor and the public adhere to the
highest standards of honesty, integrity,
fair dealing, and ethical conduct.
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
Proprietary Marks and other company-owned
and franchisee-owned restaurants.
Franchisee shall notify Franchisor in
writing within five (5) days of the
commencement of any action, suit or
proceeding, and of the issuance of any
order, writ, injunction, award or decree of
any court, agency, or other
governmental instrumentality, which may
adversely affect the operation or
fmancial condition of Franchisee or the
Franchised Restaurant or of any notice
of violation of any law, ordinance, or
regulation relating to health,
sanitation, or the possession or sale of
alcoholic beverages at the Franchised
Restaurant.
8.09 Hiring, Training and Appearance of Employees. Franchisee
shall
hire all employees of the Franchised
Restaurant, be exclusively responsible for
the terms of their employment and
compensation and, except as set forth in
Section 3, for the proper training of such
employees in the operation of the
Franchised Restaurant. Franchisee shall
require all employees to maintain a neat
and clean appearance and to conform to the
standards of dress and uniforms
specified by Franchisor from time-to-time
for the Franchised Restaurants.
8.10 Insurance. During the term of the Franchised Restaurant,
Franchisee shall maintain in force under
policies of insurance issued by
carriers approved by Franchisor:
(a) comprehensive public and product liability insurance,
including liquor and dram shop liability insurance, against claims
for
bodily and personal injury, death, and property damage caused by
or
occurring in conjunction with the operation of the Franchised
Restaurant or otherwise in conjunction with the conduct of business
by
Franchisee pursuant to the Franchise;
(b) broad form fire and extended coverage, vandalism, and
malicious mischief insurance on the Franchised Restaurant and
its
contents, including business interruption coverage which provides
for
payment of lost royalties to Franchisor;
(c) workers' compensation and employer's liability insurance
as well as such other insurance as may be required by statute or
rule
of the state or locality in which the Premises are located; and
(d) automobile liability insurance, where applicable.
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Such insurance coverage shall be maintained in such amounts as
Franchisor determines periodically to be
necessary in its sole discretion.
Franchisor may periodically increase the
amounts of coverage required under such
insurance policies and require different or
additional kinds of insurance at any
time, including excess liability insurance,
to reflect inflation, identification
of new risks, changes in law or standards
of liability, higher damage awards, or
other relevant changes in circumstances.
Such insurance policies shall insure
Franchisee and Franchisor and shall provide
for thirty (30) days prior written
notice to Franchisor of any material
modification, cancellation, or expiration
of a policy. In the event Franchisee fails
to procure and maintain business
interruption coverage and a casualty loss
occurs which requires the closing of
the Franchised Restaurant, then Franchisee
shall pay as liquidated damages for
each month commencing with the month when
the casualty occurs and continuing
until the Franchised Restaurant reopens, a
sum equal to the average monthly
Continuing Royalty and Service Fee payable
by Franchisee for the twelve (12)
months immediately preceding the occurrence
of such casualty; it being
understood that if the Franchised
Restaurant has been open for business for less
than twelve (12) months, then the average
shall be based upon the actual number
of months that the Franchised Restaurant
has been open prior to the occurrence
of the casualty. It is acknowledged and
agreed that damages in such event would
be difficult or impossible to ascertain,
though great and irreparable, and that
the provisions contained in this Section
8.10 constitute a reasonable compromise
between the parties for purposes of
compensating Franchisor for its loss.
In connection with any construction, renovation, refurbishing,
or
remodeling of the Franchised Restaurant,
Franchisee shall cause the general
contractor to maintain with a reputable
insurer (i) comprehensive general
liability insurance (with comprehensive
automobile liability coverage for
vehicles used by the franchised business
for both owned and non-owned vehicles,
builder's risk, product liability,
completed operations and independent
contractors coverage) in such amounts as
Franchisor determines periodically to
be necessary and with Franchisor named as
an additional insured, (ii) workers'
compensation insurance, (iii) employer's
liability insurance, as well as (iv)
such other insurance as may be required by
law.
If Franchisee fails or refuses to maintain any required
insurance
coverage, or to furnish satisfactory
evidence thereof, Franchisor, at its option
and in addition to its other rights and
remedies hereunder, may obtain such
insurance coverage on behalf of Franchisee
and Franchisee shall fully cooperate
with Franchisor in its efforts to obtain
and maintain such insurance policies,
promptly execute all forms or instruments
required to obtain any such insurance,
allow any inspections of the Franchised
Restaurant which are required to obtain
or maintain such insurance and pay to
Franchisor, on demand, any costs and
premiums incurred by Franchisor
therefor.
Franchisee's obligations to maintain insurance coverage as
described in
this Agreement shall not be affected in any
manner by reason of any separate
insurance maintained by Franchisor, nor
shall the maintenance of such insurance
relieve Franchisee of any obligations under
Section 5 of this Agreement.
8.11 Franchisee Modifications or Additions. Notwithstanding
anything in
this Agreement to the contrary, any and all
modifications or additions to the
Franchised Restaurant concept developed by
Franchisee, Franchisor or other
franchisees, during the term of this
Agreement, which would constitute trade
dress or Confidential Information shall be
and become the sole and absolute
property of Franchisor, and Franchisor may
incorporate the same into the System
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or any other restaurant concept. Following
the expiration or termination of the
term of this Agreement, Franchisor shall
have the sole and exclusive right to
use and to copyright, register and protect
such modifications or additions in
Franchisor's own name to the exclusion of
Franchisee. Franchisee's rights and
obligations toward the use of such
modifications or additions shall be limited
to its rights and obligations regarding
Confidential Information as provided for
in Section 7 of this Agreement.
8.12 Computerized Point-of-Sale System. The Franchisee must
purchase
and maintain the computer hardware required
by the Franchisor for operation of
the Franchised Restaurant, including
computer(s), modem(s), cash drawer(s),
receipt printer and report printer. In
addition, the Franchisee shall purchase
from Franchisor's required source the
Franchisor's proprietary computer software
for operation of the point of sale system.
The Franchisor shall have unlimited
access to the data generated by the
Franchisee's computerized point of sale
system and will poll via modem all of its
franchisees' computer systems in order
to compile sales data, consumer trends,
food and labor costs, and other such
financial and marketing information as
it