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Exhibit 10.1
310 Wild Geese Road
Knoxville, TN
500 East Emory Road
Powell, TN
STEAK N SHAKE OPERATIONS, INC.
MULTIPLE UNIT FRANCHISE AGREEMENT
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Recitals
Terms of Agreement
SECTION 1. GRANT OF FRANCHISE
1.01. Exclusive Grant
1.02. Additional Restaurants
1.03. Franchisee Obligations
1.04. Operating Manager's Duties
1.05. Company Services
SECTION 2. TERM AND RENEWAL
2.01. Term
2.02. Renewal
SECTION 3. RESTAURANT PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT
3.01. Transfer of Personal and Real Property Interests
3.02. Construction of Restaurant
3.03. Installation of Equipment and Furnishings
3.04. Maintenance and Renovation of the Restaurant
Property, Equipment and Furnishings
3.05. Purchase of Non Approved Equipment and Furnishings
3.06. Eminent Domain
SECTION 4. SUPPLIES, FOOD PRODUCTS, RECIPE ITEMS
AND UNIFORMS
4.01. Use of Food Supplies and Other Items
4.02. Samples
4.03. Suppliers of Food Supplies and Other Items
4.04. Uniforms
SECTION 5. OPERATING STANDARDS
5.01. Operational Standards
5.02. Operating Hours
5.03. Employee Lease Agreement
5.04. Training
5.05. Continuing Services
SECTION 6. FEES AND ADVERTISING EXPENDITURES
6.01. Initial Franchise and Royalty Fee
6.02. Advertising and Marketing Expenditures
6.03. Definition of Gross Receipts
6.04. Interest on Late Payments
6.05. Credit Cards and Other Methods of Payment
6.06. Vending Machines
6.07. Fees Non-Refundable
6.08. Payment By Electronic Transfer
SECTION 7. ADVERTISING
7.01. Origination and Approval of Advertising
7.02. Advertising Agency
SECTION 8. BOOKS, RECORDS AND CONTROL PROCEDURES
8.01. Reports
8.02. Marketing Information
8.03. Records of Franchisee
8.04. Inspection of Franchisee's Records
8.05. Company Provided Accounting Services
SECTION 9. INSURANCE AND INDEMNITY
9.01. Indemnity
9.02. Franchisee's Insurance
9.03. Evidence of Insurance
9.04. Notice
9.05. Additional Insured
SECTION 10. LIMITATION AND USE OF PROPRIETARY MARKS
AND TRADE SECRETS
10.01. Proprietary Marks And Trade Secrets
10.02. Limitation on Franchisee's Use of Marks
10.03. Notification of Infringements and Claims
10.04. Indemnification of Franchisee/Discontinuance of Use of Marks
10.05. Non-Disclosure of Trade Secrets and Confidential Information
10.06. Survival
SECTION 11. TERMINATION
11.01. Termination of the Franchise Agreement
11.02. Effect of Any Termination, Cancellation or Expiration of this Agreement
11.03. [INTENTIONALLY DELETED]
SECTION 12. COVENANT NOT TO COMPETE
SECTION 13. ASSIGNMENTS
13.01. Assignment by the Company
13.02. Assignment by Franchisee
13.03. The Company’s Right of First Refusal
SECTION 14. GENERAL PROVISIONS
14.01. Improvements to System
14.02. Severability
14.03. Franchisee Independent Contractor /Disclosure Thereof
14.04. Section and Subsection Titles
14.05. Entire Agreement
14.06. Number and Gender
14.07. Obligations of Interested Parties
14.08. Written Approval, Waiver and Non-Waiver
14.09. Notices
14.10. Designated Agent of Franchisee
14.11. Specific Performance
14.12. Venue/Dispute Resolution
14.13. Costs and Attorneys' Fees
14.14. Interference with Employment Relations
14.15. Acknowledgment of Differing Terms
14.16. Acknowledgment of No Promises
14.17. Governing Law
SIGNATURE PAGE
SCHEDULE 1
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STEAK N SHAKE
MULTIPLE UNIT FRANCHISE AGREEMENT
THIS MULTIPLE UNIT FRANCHISE AGREEMENT ("Agreement") is made and entered into this 21st day of September, 2005, ("Effective Date") by and among STEAK N SHAKE OPERATIONS, INC., an Indiana corporation, with its principal office at 500 Century Building, 36 South Pennsylvania Street, Indianapolis, Indiana 46204 (the "Company") and Reinwald Enterprises Emory, LLC ,an Indiana limited liability company, and Reinwald Enterprises Wild Geese, LLC, an Indiana limited liability company, both having their principal offices at 9948 Ridge Drive, Indianapolis, Indiana 46256 or its Permitted Assigns (as that term is defined in Section 13.2 hereof) (collectively, the "Franchisee").
Recitals
The Company has created and developed a unique restaurant concept, including buildings with a distinctive architectural design, decorative color scheme and trade dress, and has standardized methods of preparing and serving certain food products and beverages for on-premises and off-premises consumption in manuals and other materials of the Company (the "Operating Standards Manual") as issued and revised from time to time (hereinafter collectively referred to as the "System"). Such restaurants are operated with uniform formats, systems, methods, procedures and designs and are known as "STEAK N SHAKE" Restaurants. The Company believes that the reputation and goodwill of STEAK N SHAKE Restaurants are based upon, and can be maintained only by, the sale of distinctive, high quality products and services.
The Company is duly licensed to use and promote certain proprietary trademarks, service marks, trade dress and other commercial symbols, including "STEAK N SHAKE", the "WINGED LOGO", "TAKHOMASAK", "IN SIGHT IT MUST BE RIGHT", "FAMOUS FOR STEAKBURGERS", and related logos (the "Marks"). The Company has experience and Know-How (as defined herein) in the operation of STEAK N SHAKE Restaurants and can provide assistance and guidance in connection therewith.
The Company grants franchises to own and operate STEAK N SHAKE Restaurants to persons who meet the Company's qualifications and are willing to undertake the investment and effort to establish and develop a STEAK N SHAKE Restaurant in accordance with the System.
Franchisee acknowledges that he has conducted an independent investigation of the business contemplated by this Agreement and recognizes that it involves business risks which make the success of the venture largely dependent upon the business abilities of Franchisee.
Franchisee has applied for a franchise to own and assume operations at two existing STEAK N SHAKE Restaurants at the locations identified in Section 1.01 hereof and such application has been approved by the Company in reliance upon all of the representations made by the Franchisee.
Terms of Agreement
Company and Franchisee hereby agree as follows:
SECTION 1. GRANT OF FRANCHISE
1.01. Exclusive Grant. This franchise (hereinafter sometimes referred to as the "Franchise") is being granted based on the application, financial statements and other documents submitted by Franchisee to the Company prior to the execution hereof, and Franchisee represents and warrants:
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the accuracy and completeness of such submissions as of the respective dates of the documents and the date hereof; and |
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that such submissions do not omit the statement of any material fact necessary to make them not misleading. |
Subject to the conditions of this Agreement and the continuing faithful performance by Franchisee hereunder, the Company grants to Franchisee, for and during the term hereof, the right, license and privilege: (1) to operate the following STEAK N SHAKE Restaurants: 310 Wild Geese Road, Knoxville, Tennessee (being sometimes referred to individually as the "Knoxville Restaurant") and the Restaurant at 500 East Emory Road, Powell, Tennessee (being sometimes referred to individually as the "Powell Restaurant"; the Knoxville Restaurant and Powell Restaurant being sometimes collectively referred to as the "Restaurants"); (2) to use the Marks licensed to the Company as are now or may hereafter be specifically designated by the Company in writing for use only with the System; (3) to offer for sale all of the (and only the) food and beverage products designated by the Company and sold therein (as they may be changed, improved, and further developed from time to time); and (4) to indicate to the public that Franchisee's Restaurants are operated as a part of the System. During the term of this Agreement, the Company shall not own or operate a STEAK N SHAKE Restaurant, and shall not grant to any third party a franchise to operate a Steak n Shake restaurant at any location within the geographical area described or to be determined and described in Schedule 1 (the "Exclusive Territory"). Nothing contained herein shall limit the right of the Company to sell directly or through third parties any products, provided that the items sold by the Company are either packaged or bottled and sold for preparation and/or consumption off the selling premises.
1.02. Additional Restaurants. Franchisee understands that the Company and its affiliated corporations currently operate and/or franchise, and may in the future operate and/or franchise, restaurants and food establishments other than STEAK N SHAKE Restaurants, and Franchisee agrees that the Company and/or any related entity may do so within the Exclusive Territory, provided that such restaurants and food establishments do not feature ground beef sandwiches as a primary product and do not utilize the following or similar names or trade names: "STEAK N SHAKE", "TAKHOMASAK, "IN SIGHT IT MUST BE RIGHT", and "FAMOUS FOR STEAKBURGERS". Franchisee further agrees that this franchise relates solely to and is limited to the Restaurant locations described herein, and affords Franchisee no right, title or interest in additional franchises to be operated at any other location (subject to relocation of the Restaurant as permitted under Section 3.01).
Neither this Agreement nor the franchise issued hereunder obligates the Company in any way to seek, issue, or allow the purchase of any additional franchises by Franchisee or others.
1.03. Franchisee Obligations. Franchisee agrees to diligently use its best efforts to develop and operate the business franchised herein and to promote the interest of the System for the term of this Agreement and any renewal thereof. Franchisee accepts the grant of this franchise and agrees to maintain and operate its STEAK N SHAKE Restaurants only at the locations described or to be approved by the Company and described in Schedule 1 hereof in accordance with the Company's plans, specifications and procedures as set forth in the Operating Standards Manual and other applicable publications of the Company, as revised from time to time, and the terms of this Agreement. Franchisee agrees to use the franchised facility only for the purpose designated in this Franchise Agreement.
Franchisee acknowledges that maintaining uniformity in every component of the operation of the System is essential to the success of the entire chain of STEAK N SHAKE Restaurants, including a designated menu; uniformity of food and beverage specifications, preparation methods, quality and appearance; and uniformity of facilities and service. Franchisee agrees to comply with the entire System, as revised from time to time by the Company.
1.04. Operating Manager's Duties. At all times during this Agreement, Franchisee's manager in charge of operations for the Restaurant will have attended and successfully completed the prescribed manager training program of Company and all subsequent manager training, refresher and retraining programs offered from time to time by Company pursuant to Section 5.03 of this Agreement. The manager will be a full-time manager on the premises or with reasonable availability to the premises at all times to carry out the manager's day-to-day responsibilities. The manager will refrain from operational or management commitments in other businesses (except other STEAK N SHAKE Restaurants operated under franchises granted by the Company) which would in any way affect the management duties required hereunder.
1.05. Company Services. The Company agrees to provide to Franchisee the following materials, benefits and services, all as hereinafter more fully set forth:
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Written guidelines for site selection (if applicable) upon request; |
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As-Built Survey site plans, construction plans, drawings and specifications for the Restaurants and related facilities; |
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Layouts and specifications for fixtures, furnishings, interior design and decor, signs and equipment required as elements of the System; |
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Such training at such locations and for such periods as may be designated by the Company from time to time in the Operating Standards Manual or otherwise in writing, subject to Section 5.03 of this Agreement; |
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Such assistance as the Company may determine is required in connection with the Restaurant operation by Franchisee; |
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One (1) copy each of the Company's Operating Standards Manual and other applicable manuals, publications or materials issued by the Company, copies of which are, concurrently with the execution hereof, delivered and loaned to Franchisee for the term hereof. Any additions and modifications thereto as the Company may issue from time to time, in its discretion, to incorporate new developments or other changes in System standards, specifications, procedures, and techniques will be provided to the Franchisee. Franchisee must pay then-current replacement fee as established by the Company for replacing copies of the Operating Standards Manual or other materials; |
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A sample of the Company's standardized chart of accounts, statement of earnings, balance sheet and other report formats to be used by Franchisee for purposes of reporting to the Company; |
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The Company's regular and continuing consulting services and periodic inspections and evaluations of Franchisee's operations pursuant to Section 5.04; and |
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The STEAK N SHAKE advertising/marketing program(s) as developed and issued from time to time by the Company under Sections 6.02 and 7.01. |
SECTION 2. TERM AND RENEWAL
2.01. Term. Unless sooner terminated as hereinafter provided, this Franchise Agreement shall extend for a term commencing thirty (30) days from the date of this Agreement, but no later than September 28, 2005 ("Franchise Date") and ending on the twentieth (20th) anniversary of such date. If the premises of the Restaurant are leased by Franchisee, the term of the agreement shall be co-extensive with the shorter of (i) the initial term of the lease or (ii) the term as hereinabove set forth.
2.02. Renewal. If all of the following criteria are satisfied, Franchisee may renew this Franchise to use the System and Marks at the Restaurant for one additional term equal to the term in the Company's standard form of Unit Franchise Agreement as it exists on the renewal date:
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Franchisee gives the Company written notice of its intention to renew this Franchise not less than six (6) months, nor more than twelve (12) months, prior to the end of the then-current term. |
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Franchisee is not, when notice is given and when the franchise is renewed, in material default of any provision of this Agreement, any amendment hereof or successor hereto, or any other Unit Franchise Agreement, and has complied with all such agreements during the term of this Agreement. |
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All monetary obligations owed by Franchisee to the Company are current and have been paid throughout the initial and all prior renewal terms of this Agreement in a timely manner. |
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Franchisee executes the Company's standard Unit Franchise Agreement in the form in which it exists on the renewal date, which may contain certain terms and conditions substantially different from those set forth herein, including without limitation a different royalty fee, a different term or different national and local advertising and marketing expenditure requirements (or new methods of computing same), if any. |
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Franchisee, its managers and any other employee of the Franchisee attend and satisfactorily complete such retraining or refresher training program as the Company may require, in its sole discretion, at such time and place as the Company may reasonably designate. |
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Franchisee performs such remodeling, repairs, replacements and redecoration as the Company may require to cause the Restaurant, equipment, electronic point of sale systems, computer systems, fixtures, furnishings and furniture to conform to the plans and specifications being used for new or remodeled STEAK N SHAKE Restaurants on the renewal date. |
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Franchisee pays to Company a renewal fee equal to fifty percent (50%) of the Initial Fee payable by franchisees prevailing at the renewal date, payable at least thirty (30) days prior to the renewal date. |
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Franchisee executes an agreement with the Company agreeing to release any claims, known or unknown, Franchisee may have against the Company at the time of the renewal. |
SECTION 3. RESTAURANT PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT
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Transfer of Personal and Real Property Interests. Franchisee desires to assume operation of the Restaurants and the Company agrees to transfer its interest in the Restaurants on the Franchise Date as follows: |
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All of the Company’s right, title and interest in and to the Knoxville Restaurant shall be conveyed pursuant to that Contract for Purchase and Sale of Real Estate of even date herewith, attached hereto as Exhibit A, and incorporated herein by this reference (the "Contract"). It being acknowledged and agreed by the parties that if the Contract is terminated for any reason, this Agreement shall terminate immediately and the parties shall have no further obligations to each other hereunder. |
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All of the Company’s right, title and interest in and to the Powell Restaurant shall be conveyed pursuant to that Assignment and Assumption of Lease Agreement of even date herewith attached hereto as Exhibit B and incorporated herein by this reference. It being acknowledged and agreed that if the Assignment and Assumption Agreement is terminated for any reason, this Agreement shall terminate immediately and the parties shall have no further obligations to each other hereunder. |
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All of the Company’s right, title and interest in and to the good will, inventory, equipment, furniture and fixture located at the Restaurants as of the date hereof shall be conveyed pursuant to that Personal Property Sales of even date herewith and attached hereto as Exhibit C. It being acknowledged and agreed that if the Personal Property Sale Agreement is terminated for any reason, this Agreement shall terminate immediately and the parties shall have no further obligation to each other hereunder. |
All of the Company’s right, title and interest in those contracts for outdoor advertising in existence at the date of the Franchise, as set forth on Exhibit D, will be assigned to Franchisee by the Company and the Franchisee agrees to assume all obligations thereunder. Franchisee agrees to execute any documentation necessary to provide for such an assignment.Franchisee may relocate the Restaurants to a new location approved by the Company based upon a review of various factors, such as the success of the Restaurant at its then-current location, and the demographics (including number of households and traffic patterns) relating to the proposed new location. Any such relocation will be at Franchisee's sole expense. The Company may charge Franchisee for reimbursement of all of the Company's costs and expenses in connection with such relocation.
3.02. Casualty.
In the event either Restaurant is damaged or rendered totally or partially untenantable by fire or other casualty, Franchisee shall, within thirty (30) days, initiate repairs to the Restaurant property and diligently pursue the completion of such repairs in order to restore the Restaurant property to its former condition prior to the casualty within a reasonable time, not to exceed six (6) months after the date of the fire or casualty, which time period may be extended for delays resulting from acts of God, force majeure and other causes beyond the reasonable control of Franchisee, provided Franchisee continues to diligently pursue the completion of such repairs. If, in the Company's reasonable judgment, the damage or destruction is so extensive that substantial cost and effort will be expended in restoring the Restaurant property, the Company may require Franchisee, by giving written notice thereof, to restore the Restaurant property in conformance with the then standard STEAK N SHAKE Restaurant decor specifications. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, Franchisee shall not be required to repair or restore the Restaurant property if such damage occurs during the final year of the Franchise unless the Company agrees to extend the Franchise pursuant to Section 2.02. Franchisee shall be solely responsible for the cost associated with restoring the Restaurant property.
3.03. Use of Equipment and Furnishings. Franchisee shall:
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install and use in and about the Restaurant only such equipment (including, but not limited to, food and beverage preparation equipment, fixtures, furnishings, point of sale equipment, computer hardware and software, interior and/or exterior signage and air handling equipment) and other personal property which strictly conforms to the appearance, uniform standards, specifications and procedures of the Company and the System. Such equipment is sometimes referred to herein collectively as "Equipment and Furnishings." Franchisee shall purchase and install all Equipment and Furnishings listed on the equipment and furnishings list, and not currently installed in the Restaurants, in the New Store Construction Manual from approved suppliers. The Company shall have the right to inspect and approve all Equipment and Furnishings and their installation to ensure Franchisee's compliance with the Company's standards and specifications; and |
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install no vending machine on or about the Restaurant property, in addition to any vending machine currently installed, other than pay telephones and newspaper vending machines, without the Company's prior written consent. |
3.04. Maintenance and Renovation of the Restaurant Property, Equipment and Furnishings.
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Franchisee agrees to maintain the condition and appearance of the Restaurant in compliance with the Company's prescribed standards of quality, service and cleanliness. If at any time, in the Company's reasonable judgment, the general state of repair, appearance or cleanliness of the Restaurant property or its Equipment and Furnishings do not meet the Company's standards, the Company will so notify the Franchisee in writing, specifying the action to be taken by the Franchisee to correct such deficiency, and the Franchisee will promptly comply with the Company's requirements. |
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If the Company changes the design, decor, layout or other elements of the System, the Franchisee agrees to remodel its Restaurant, at Franchisee's expense, to conform with the Company's new standards. Such changes will be made by Franchisee by the time the Company completes such changes to substantially all of the Company Restaurants. |
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If the Company changes or modifies its electronic point of sale system or computer system used in the Company Restaurants, the Franchisee agrees to change or modify its electronic point of sale system or computer system to conform with the Company's new standards. Such changes and modifications will be made by the Franchisee, at the Franchisee's expense, by the time the Company completes such changes and modifications to substantially all of the Company Restaurants. |
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If the Company changes or modifies any item or items of equipment used in the Company Restaurants, the Franchisee agrees to change or modify such item or items of equipment in the franchised Restaurant to conform with the Company's new standards. Such changes and modifications will be made by the Franchisee, at the Franchisee's expense, by the time the Company completes such changes and modifications to substantially all of the Company Restaurants. |
3.05. Purchase of Non Approved Equipment and Furnishings. If Franchisee desires to purchase or install any item that has not been specifically approved by the Company, or to purchase an item of equipment manufactured to the Company’s specifications from a supplier that has not been pre-approved by the Company, Franchisee shall submit to the Company a written request for approval of such item or supplier. The Company shall have the right to require, among other things, that a sample of the item to be delivered or manufactured be made available in a manner acceptable to the Company or to an independent certified laboratory designated by the Company for testing prior to acting on the request for approval. All costs and expenses related to such testing and evaluation shall be paid to the Company by Franchisee. The Company shall not be liable for any damage to sample items which may result from the testing process. The Company reserves the right to retest any items previously approved by it and may revoke any prior approval if the item fails to continue to meet the Company's standards and specifications. If the Company revokes the approval of any item or any supplier in writing or in the New Store Construction Manual, Franchisee shall not thereafter purchase such item from the supplier or use such item in connection with the operation of the Restaurant.
3.06. Eminent Domain. If during the term of this Agreement, the Restaurant property shall be taken for any public use by an exercise of eminent domain, condemnation or by purchase under the threat of such power (hereinafter referred to the "Proceeding"), either party to this Agreement may elect to continue the Franchise under the terms of this Agreement at a new Restaurant location. However, such new Restaurant location must be approved by the Company within six (6) months of the "completion of" the Proceeding, and the location set out in a new Schedule 1, to be attached hereto and made a part hereof. Approval of the location for the new Restaurant is within the sole discretion of the Company, which shall not be unreasonably withheld.
The right to elect to continue the Franchise at a new Restaurant location may be exercised by either party only if there is a total taking of the Restaurant property or a Material Partial Taking of the Restaurant property. For purposes of this Agreement, "Material Partial Taking" is the taking of any portion of the restaurant building, the loss of twenty percent (20%) or more of the parking area or number of parking spaces on the Restaurant property or the loss of drive-thru facilities on the Restaurant property. Regardless of the provisions set forth above, if any Proceeding occurs after the tenth (10th) anniversary of this Agreement, then both parties must agree in writing to continue the Franchise and the terms of this Agreement. In the event the Proceeding results in less than a total or Material Partial Taking, Franchisee agrees to repair or restore any damage to the Restaurant property in the manner set forth for fire and casualty losses in Section 3.02 herein.
SECTION 4. SUPPLIES, FOOD PRODUCTS, RECIPE ITEMS AND UNIFORMS
4.01. Use of Food Supplies and Other Items. Franchisee agrees:
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to serve, sell or offer for sale all of the (and only the) food and beverage products that: (i) are listed in the then-current standard menu or menus specified by the Company, (ii) meet the Company's uniform standards of quality and portions, and (iii) have been prepared in accordance with the recipes and food handling and preparation methods and procedures designated from time to time in the Operating Standards Manual or otherwise in writing; |
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to maintain in sufficient supply all of the food, beverage and other items served; |
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not to deviate from the Company's standards, specifications and procedures for serving or selling the same without the Company's prior written consent; and |
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to discontinue serving, selling or offering for sale any such items as the Company may, in its discretion, disapprove in writing at any time. |
4.02. Samples. Franchisee further agrees to permit the Company or its agents, at any reasonable time, to remove from the Restaurants certain samples of any inventory items, without payment therefor, in amounts reasonably necessary for testing by the Company or an independent certified laboratory to determine whether the samples meet the Company's then-current standards and specifications.
4.03. Suppliers of Food Supplies and Other Items. Franchisee will purchase approved food products and other items only from sources approved by the Company (which may include the Company and/or its affiliates). The Company may from time to time modify the list of approved items, brands and suppliers, and Franchisee shall not, after receipt in writing of such modification, reorder any item or brand or reorder from any supplier which is no longer approved. If Franchisee proposes to use or serve any food or beverage item or other ingredient or proposes to use any item, brand or supplier which is not approved at that time, it shall first notify the Company and submit sufficient information, specifications and samples concerning such item, brand or supplier for a determination by the Company whether such item or brand complies with the Company's specifications and standards and whether such supplier meets the Company's approved supplier criteria. The Company shall, within a reasonable time, notify Franchisee whether or not such proposed item, brand or supplier is approved. The Company shall approve such proposed item, brand or supplier, if in the Company's sole judgment and discretion, it is satisfied that the proposed item, brand or supplier meets the Company's specifications, standards and requirements. The Franchisee will reimburse the Company for the costs and expenses relating to the testing, research and investigation of proposed items, brands or suppliers. Notwithstanding the above, the Company shall not be obligated to approve more than a reasonable number of suppliers or products used or served by the Restaurant.
4.04. Uniforms. Franchisee shall purchase and use uniforms and costumes for its employees which conform strictly to the specifications, design and style of the Company existing from time to time, as required in the Operating Standards Manual or other-wise in writing.
SECTION 5. OPERATING STANDARDS.
5.01. Operational Standards.
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The Company will loan to Franchisee during the term of the Franchise one copy each of the Operating Standards Manual, and other applicable manuals and publications of the Company for STEAK N SHAKE Restaurants, containing mandatory and suggested specifications, standards and operating procedures prescribed from time to time by the Company for STEAK N SHAKE Restaurants and information relative to other obligations of Franchisee hereunder for the operation of a STEAK N SHAKE Restaurant. The Company shall have the right to modify the Operating Standards Manual and other manuals and publications from time to time to reflect changes in authorized products and services, standards of product quality and services for the operation of a STEAK N SHAKE Restaurant. |
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Franchisee shall keep current all copies of the Operating Standards Manual and other manuals. The master copies maintained by the Company at its principal office shall control in the event of a dispute relative to the contents thereof. |
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Franchisee shall comply with all federal, state and local laws, rules and regulations and shall timely obtain any and all permits, certificates or licenses necessary for the full and proper conduct of the business franchised under this Agreement, including, without limitation, building and other required construction and occupancy permits, licenses to do business, fictitious name registration, sales tax permits, health and sanitation permits and ratings and fire code clearances. Copies of all inspection reports, warnings, certificates and ratings issued by any governmental entity during the term of this Agreement in connection with the conduct of the franchised business which cites or indicates Franchisee's failure to meet or maintain the highest governmental standards or failure to fully comply with any applicable law, rule or regulation, shall be forwarded to the Company within five (5) days of Franchisee's receipt thereof. Franchisee shall remedy such failure within the required time period as specified in the respective citation, report or other notices, or within ten (10) days if no time period is so specified. |
5.02. Operating Hours. During the term of this Agreement, Franchisee shall be open and in normal operation for twenty-four hours per day, seven days per week, or such other minimum hours and days as the Company may from time to time reasonably prescribe in writing.
5.03. Employee Lease Agreement.
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The Company employs qualified food service workers and, when needed, provides the services of those workers on a temporary basis to recipient companies, and it is acknowledged that as of the Effective Date Franchisee has need of food service workers in conjunction with its operation of the Restaurant. |
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The Company has agreed to provide Franchisee with the services of food service workers (hereinafter "Temporary Employees"), as needed, on a temporary basis for a period commencing on the Franchise Date and ending on November 23, 2005 (the "Term") unless otherwise terminated by either party upon the provision of three (3) business days written notice to the other party of the intent to terminate the Agreement. |
(b) The Company shall lease to Franchisee such properly skilled and qualified Temporary Employees as Franchisee may require to perform service for, and under the direct supervision of Franchisee. The parties acknowledge that the relationship created by this Section 5.03 is one of a temporary help arrangement and does not create an employee leasing or professional employer organization.
(c) In consideration for the Company’s agreement to lease the Temporary Employees to Franchisee pursuant to this Section 5.03, Franchisee agrees to pay the Company a fee equal to the actual weekly payroll and benefits charges incurred by the Company for the services of the Temporary Employees plus an administrative fee of one percent (1%) of the actual weekly payroll and benefits charges incurred by the Company for the services of the Temporary Employees ("Employee Fee"). The Company shall submit its invoices to Franchisee on a weekly basis, itemizing all charges comprising the Employee Fee; Franchisee agrees to pay the Employee Fee without deduction or set-off, within five (5) days of its receipt of the invoices. The parties agree that the Employee Fee may be increased during the Term should any costs beyond the control of the Company be increased, including, but not limited to, payroll taxes and related wage-based taxes.
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For purposes of this Agreement and otherwise, the Company shall be the employer of Temporary Employees and, as employer, the Company shall be responsible for such duties and responsibilities that include, but are not limited to the following: |
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i. |
Recruiting, hiring, disciplining, terminating and reassigning Temporary Employees. The Company reserves a non-operational right of direction and control over Temporary Employees as is necessary to carry out its obligations as the employer of such Temporary Employees. |
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ii. |
The Company shall be responsible for establishing, calculating, paying, processing and issuing wages to Temporary Employees as calculated from data as to hours worked provided by Franchisee, such wages to be paid from the Company’s own accounts and without regard to the Employee Fee. |
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iii. |
The Company shall be responsible for the withholding, collection, reporting and payment of all applicable payroll taxes including, but not limited to, federal, state and local income tax, Social Security tax, unemployment contributions and other payroll taxes with respect to Temporary Employees. |
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iv. |
The Company shall obtain and pay the costs of providing workers’ compensation insurance and shall manage workers' compensation claims relating to Temporary Employees. Upon request, the Company shall furnish to Franchisee a certificate of insurance evidencing the issuance to the Company of policies providing such coverage. The Company and Franchisee shall be joint employers of Temporary Employees for purposes of exclusive remedy provisions of applicable workers' compensation laws. The Company hereby agrees to indemnify and hold Franchisee harmless from and against all workers’ compensation claims brought against Franchisee by Temporary Employees. |
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v. |
The Company shall comply with the Immigration Reform and Control Act. |
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vi. |
The Company shall be responsible for maintenance of personnel and payroll records for Temporary Employees. |
The Company shall provide Temporary Employees that possess qualifications specified by Franchisee and shall replace any Temporary Employee that fails to meet Franchisee’s qualifications, provided however that the employees working at the Restaurants as of the Effective Date, shall be deemed qualified unless Franchisee otherwise indicates in writing to the Company prior to the Franchise Date.
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(e) |
Franchisee shall retain sufficient responsibility for the operational direction and control of Temporary Employees, as is necessary to conduct Franchisee’s business and without which Franchisee would be unable to conduct its business. In accordance with this responsibility, Franchisee shall also retain the following duties and responsibilities: |
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i. |
Franchisee must verify skills, competency and fitness of each Temporary Employee necessary to perform the duties pursuant to Franchisee’s qualification requirements and Franchisee agrees that the acceptance of a Temporary Employee relieves the Company of any liability to Franchisee for losses, claims or damages arising as a result of Temporary Employee's negligence, theft, embezzlement, fraud, or other unlawful or willful acts committed by such Temporary Employee. |
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ii. |
Franchisee retains the right to request that a Temporary Employee no longer perform services at Franchisee’s worksite, but Franchisee may not unilaterally terminate any Temporary Employee and, when any such action is requested, Franchisee agrees to abide by all applicable federal, state and local employment laws. Franchisee agrees to notify the Company as soon as practicable, but in no event more than 24 hours from any Temporary Employee's failure to report to Franchisee’s worksite, either because Temporary Employee has voluntarily chosen not to continue to perform services for Franchisee or because Franchisee has determined that it no longer wishes Temporary Employee to perform such services. |
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iii. |
Franchisee shall be responsible for providing adequate work performance instruction, supervision and assistance to Temporary Employees necessary to perform tasks assigned by Franchisee and Franchisee shall be responsible for the work performed by Temporary Employees as well as any risks or liabilities associate therewith. |
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iv. |
Franchisee agrees to maintain records of actual time worked by Temporary Employees and shall not pay Temporary Employees any wages or salaries or any forms of direct or indirect compensation, including employee benefits. |
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v. |
Franchisee agrees to maintain a safe, healthy and legally compliant worksite for Temporary Employees and shall comply, at Franchisee’s sole expense, with all safety, health and work laws, including, but not limited to federal and state OSHA regulations and rules (including applicable recording keeping requirements under federal, state and local laws). |
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vi. |
Franchisee shall be responsible for the products and/or services of its operation at the Restaurants and any liability or other loss incurred as a result of improper supervision, safeguards or other controls relating to its products or services. |
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(f) |
With respect to this Section 5.03, each party shall bear those risks and responsibilities inherent to their respective businesses and, as allowed under applicable law, shall be obligated to only pay or indemnify the other party for liability, claims, penalties, damages or losses of whatever nature to the extent that such losses arise from risks, duties and responsibilities in connection with each parties’ business pursuant to this Agreement, including, but not limited to court costs and attorney fees associated therewith. Liabilities with respect to the following shall be born by each party in proportion to their responsibility, action or failure to act. Neither the Company nor Franchisee, nor their officers, directors, employees and agents shall take or fail to take any action that, with respect to Temporary Employees, would cause or result in the filing of a claim under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Americans with Disabilities Act ("ADA"), the Age Discrimination and Employment Act, the Fair Labor Standards Act, the Immigration Reform and Control Act, the Vietnam Era Veteran’s Readjustment Act of 1974, the Family and Medical Leave Act, or any other such similar law, rule or regulation governing employment relationships generally, as amended, enacted now or later by any federal, state or local governmental entity |
5.04. Training.
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(a) |
All of the Franchisee's managerial employees are required to successfully complete the management training program prescribed by the Company at such place and time as the Company may designate, but prior to performing duties in or related to the Restaurant. At the Company's option, such training may take place at a STEAK N SHAKE Restaurant(s) operated by Franchisee and may be conducted by properly trained Franchisee personnel. Franchisee shall be solely responsible for the compensation of trainees and their travel, lodging and living expenses incurred in connection with the attendance at such programs. |
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(b) |
In addition to the required management training, all other employees of Franchisee must undergo such on-the-job and instructional training as the Company may from time to time require. |
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(c) |
Franchisee, and/or such executive, managerial, supervisory and other employees of Franchisee shall attend and successfully complete all subsequent training, refresher and retraining programs which the Company may conduct and require Franchisee and/or designated employees to attend, in its reasonable discretion. |
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(d) |
Upon failure of Franchisee or any manager or employee of Franchisee to complete successfully, for any reason, any training, retraining or refresher program required by the Company, Franchisee shall require some other trainee to attend and successfully complete the program, and to operate the franchised business thereafter as its manager or otherwise perform the functions of the category of employee for which the training program was offered, if the Company, at its option, so directs. |
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(e) |
There shall be no tuition charge for the training required by subsections (a), (b), (c) and (d) of this Section 5.03, but Franchisee shall pay all expenses of travel, room, board, training supplies and materials and salaries or wages of its employees while in training. Additional training provided by the Company. |






