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EXHIBIT F

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

STANDARD FORM

APPLEBEE'S NEIGHBORHOOD GRILL & BAR

FRANCHISE AGREEMENT

 

 

 

 

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(Location Address)

 

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(Franchisee Name)

 

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(Date)

 

 

 

 

 

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

RECITALS.....................................................................F-3

1. FRANCHISE GRANT AND TERM........................................F-4

2. UNIFORM STANDARDS...............................................F-5

3. COMPLIANCE WITH THE SYSTEM......................................F-6

4. GENERAL SERVICES OF FRANCHISOR..................................F-6

5. RESTAURANT SYSTEM AND PROCEDURES................................F-7

6. TRAINING.......................................................F-10

7. RESTAURANT MAINTENANCE.........................................F-10

8. ADVERTISING....................................................F-11

9. FEES...........................................................F-13

10. RECORD KEEPING.................................................F-15

11. FRANCHISEE ORGANIZATION, AUTHORITY,

FINANCIAL CONDITION AND SHAREHOLDERS...........................F-16

12. TRANSFER.......................................................F-19

13. CONFIDENTIALITY; RESTRICTIONS..................................F-23

14. INSPECTIONS....................................................F-24

15. RELATIONSHIP OF PARTIES AND INDEMNIFICATION....................F-25

16. INSURANCE......................................................F-27

17. DEBTS AND TAXES................................................F-29

18. TRADE NAMES, SERVICE MARKS AND TRADEMARKS......................F-29

19. EXPIRATION AND TERMINATION; OPTION TO

PURCHASE RESTAURANT; ATTORNEYS' FEES...........................F-31

20. NO WAIVER OF DEFAULT...........................................F-36

21. CONSTRUCTION, SEVERABILITY,

GOVERNING LAW AND JURISDICTION.................................F-36

22. INTERFERENCE WITH EMPLOYMENT RELATIONS.........................F-37

23. LIQUOR LICENSE.................................................F-38

24. FORCE MAJEURE..................................................F-38

25. MISCELLANEOUS..................................................F-39

26. ACKNOWLEDGMENTS................................................F-41

 

EXHIBIT 1: ROYALTY FEE................................................F-43

APPENDIX A: STATEMENT OF OWNERSHIP INTERESTS...........................F-44

APPENDIX B: REVIEW AND CONSENT WITH

RESPECT TO TRANSFERS.......................................F-45

APPENDIX C: CONFIDENTIALITY AGREEMENT..................................F-46

 

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APPLEBEE'S NEIGHBORHOOD GRILL & BAR

FRANCHISE AGREEMENT

This Agreement is made this ________ day of _____________________, 20______, by

and between APPLEBEE'S INTERNATIONAL, INC., a Delaware corporation

("FRANCHISOR"), _____________________________________________, a

(_______________ corporation, sole proprietorship, _______________ partnership,

_______________ limited partnership [strike inappropriate language])

("FRANCHISEE") and ______________________________ (collectively, the "PRINCIPAL

SHAREHOLDERS" and, individually, a "PRINCIPAL SHAREHOLDER" of Franchisee if a

corporation or general partner if Franchisee is a limited partnership having as

its general partner a corporation) and

________________________________________________________________________________

("GENERAL PARTNER" of Franchisee if Franchisee is a limited partnership).*

* (If Franchisee is not a corporation or a sole proprietorship, or if

Franchisee is a limited liability company, the parties hereto hereby agree that

an Addendum shall be attached to this Agreement so as properly to reflect the

responsibilities of the partners of any general partnership, the general partner

of any limited partnership and the shareholders of any corporate general partner

of any partnership, or the members of any limited liability company.)

 

WITNESSETH:

RECITALS

A. Franchisor owns the rights to develop and operate a unique system of

restaurants which specialize in the sale of high quality, moderately priced food

and alcoholic beverages in an attractive, casual setting, which includes

proprietary rights in certain valuable trade names, service marks and

trademarks, including the service mark Applebee's Neighborhood Grill & Bar and

variations of such mark, designs, decor and color schemes for restaurant

premises, signs, equipment, procedures and formulae for preparing food and

beverage products, specifications for certain food and beverage products,

inventory methods, operating methods, financial control concepts, training

facilities and teaching techniques ("the System").

B. Franchisor established, through its own development and operation, and

through the granting of franchises, a chain of Applebee's Neighborhood Grill &

Bar restaurants which are distinctive; which are similar in appearance, design

and decor; and which are uniform in operation and product consistency.

C. The value of Franchisor's trade names, service marks and trademarks is

based upon: (1) the maintenance of uniform high quality standards in connection

with the preparation and sale of Franchisor-approved food and beverage products,

(2) the uniform high standards of appearance of the individual restaurant units

in the System, (3) the use of distinctive trademarks, service marks, building

designs and advertising signs representing a uniformly high quality of product

and services, and (4) the assumption by Franchisor and its franchisees of the

obligation to maintain and enhance the goodwill and public acceptance of the

System (and of Franchisor's trade names, service marks and trademarks) by strict

adherence to the high standards required by Franchisor.

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D. Franchisor, Franchisee and the Principal Shareholders have entered into

a Development Agreement dated __________________, 20____ ("Development

Agreement"), relating to the development by Franchisee of Applebee's

Neighborhood Grill & Bar restaurants.

E. Franchisee desires to use the System in connection with the operation of

an Applebee's Neighborhood Grill & Bar restaurant at the location which is

specified in Subsection 1.1 of this Agreement, pursuant to the terms, conditions

and provisions hereinafter set forth.

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual obligations contained herein, it

is hereby agreed as follows:

 

1. FRANCHISE GRANT AND TERM

1.1 Franchisor grants Franchisee, for the term stated below, the right,

license and privilege:

(a) to use the System incident to the operation of an Applebee's

Neighborhood Grill & Bar restaurant at ____________________________________

(the "Restaurant");

(b) to use the trade names, service marks and trademarks which

Franchisor shall from time to time designate as part of the System, but

only in connection with the sale at the Restaurant of those products which

Franchisor has designated and approved; and

(c) to hold itself out to the public as a Franchisee of Franchisor.

1.2 The term of the franchise shall commence as of the Commencement Date,

as hereinafter defined, and shall end twenty (20) years thereafter, unless this

Agreement is terminated prior to that date in accordance with its provisions.

"Commencement Date," as used herein, shall mean the date upon which the

Restaurant opens for business. The parties agree that Franchisor, without

obtaining the signature of Franchisee, may affix to this Agreement an addendum

expressly setting forth the Commencement Date, which, when so affixed, shall

become a part of this Agreement.

1.3 At the expiration of the term hereof, Franchisee shall have an option

to operate the Restaurant for four (4) successive terms of five (5) years

(unless the franchise agreement with respect to that additional term is sooner

terminated in accordance with its provisions), provided that immediately prior

to each such five (5) year term (a) Franchisee satisfies the requirements which

Franchisor then-imposes on its new franchisees, (b) all other restaurant units

within the System which Franchisee then-operates substantially comply, in the

opinion of Franchisor, with Franchisor's then-current standards, specifications,

requirements and instructions, and (c) Franchisee executes the form of franchise

agreement which Franchisor is then using with respect to new restaurants within

the System, with the amount of royalty and advertising fees payable at the rates

then-prevailing under the franchise agreements which Franchisor is then using

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for new restaurants within the System, and Franchisee pays to Franchisor for

each of said five (5) year periods a franchise fee equal to ten percent (10%) of

the prevailing franchise fee paid by new franchisees at that time. Any franchise

agreement which Franchisee executes for such additional term will also contain

options to obtain an assignment of Franchisee's lease with a third party and/or

to purchase certain property or to purchase or lease the Restaurant premises

exercisable by Franchisor upon termination thereof and an option to purchase or

lease the Restaurant premises exercisable by Franchisor upon expiration of the

renewal term (subject to any then-existing renewal rights of Franchisee). Such

options will contain provisions substantially similar to the provisions of

Franchisor's options described in Subsection 19.4 hereof. Franchisee shall give

Franchisor written notice of its desire to exercise its option to operate the

Restaurant for an additional term no earlier than twelve (12) months, and no

later than seven (7) months, prior to expiration of the initial term. If

Franchisee gives that notice, Franchisor, in its sole discretion, reasonably

exercised, shall determine whether Franchisee has satisfied the foregoing

requirements. Within forty-five (45) days of receiving the notice described

above, Franchisor shall notify Franchisee in writing whether or not Franchisee

is eligible to exercise the option described in this Subsection.

1.4 During the period from the date of this Agreement to the expiration or

earlier termination of this Agreement, Franchisor shall not establish a

restaurant unit utilizing the System, or license another franchisee to establish

a restaurant unit utilizing the System, at any location within the lesser of a

three (3) mile radius of the Restaurant or a radius from the Restaurant which

includes either a daytime or residential population of forty thousand (40,000)

or more people; provided, however, the three (3) mile radius will be reduced to

the extent it would extend over an international border. Notwithstanding the

foregoing, Franchisor may establish a restaurant unit or may license a

restaurant unit to a third party within the geographic area set forth in the

preceding sentence, provided that (i) such restaurant is located within an

airport (serviced by one or more public or charter carrier), train station, bus

terminal, port authority, campus at any college, university or other

post-secondary education institution, hospitals and other health care

facilities, arena, stadium, state or national park, or military fort, post or

base, (ii) is located across an international border, or (iii) does not utilize

the System or utilize the Applebee's Neighborhood Grill & Bar service mark.

1.5 Franchisee, in consideration of the benefits and privileges provided to

it by this Agreement, agrees to operate the Restaurant and perform as required

hereunder for the full term of this Agreement.

1.6 This Agreement is entered into pursuant to and subject to the terms and

conditions which are set forth in the Development Agreement.

 

2. UNIFORM STANDARDS

2.1 The System is a comprehensive restaurant system for the retailing of

certain uniform and quality food and beverage products (including alcoholic

beverages), emphasizing a varied menu of high quality, moderately priced food

products (including appetizers, creative sandwiches, dinner entrees and

desserts), a selection of alcoholic and other beverages, and prompt and

courteous service in a clean, wholesome, casual atmosphere. The foundation of

the System is the establishment and maintenance of a reputation among the public

for the operation of high quality restaurant units. A fundamental requirement of

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the System, this Franchise Agreement and franchises which Franchisor will grant

to others is adherence by all franchisees to Franchisor's standards and policies

providing for the uniform operation of all restaurant units within the System,

including, but not limited to, (a) selling only those products which Franchisor

has designated and approved, (b) using only Franchisor's prescribed building

layout and designs, equipment, signs, interior and exterior decor items,

fixtures and furnishings, (c) adhering strictly to Franchisor's standards and

specifications relating to the selection, purchase, storage, preparation,

packaging, service and sale of all food and beverage products being sold at the

Restaurant, and (d) satisfying all of Franchisor's prescribed standards of

quality, service and cleanliness. Compliance by all franchisees with the

foregoing standards and policies in conjunction with the use of Franchisor's

trade names, service marks and trademarks provides the basis for the wide public

acceptance of the System and its valuable goodwill. Accordingly, strict

adherence by all franchisees to all aspects of the System is required at all

times.

2.2 The provisions of the Agreement shall be interpreted to give effect to

the intent of the parties stated in this Section 2 to assure that Franchisee

shall operate the Restaurant in conformity with the System, through strict

adherence to Franchisor's standards and policies as they now exist and as they

may be modified from time to time.

 

3. COMPLIANCE WITH THE SYSTEM

Franchisee acknowledges that every component of the System is important to

Franchisor, to all franchisees and to the operation of the Restaurant, including

the requirements (a) that only those products designated and approved by the

Franchisor are sold at the Restaurant, and (b) that there is uniformity of food

and beverage specifications, preparation methods, quality, appearance, building

and interior design, color and decor, landscaping, facilities and service among

all restaurant units in the System. Accordingly, Franchisee agrees to and shall

comply with all aspects of the System (as it now exists and as it may be

modified from time to time). Franchisee recognizes and agrees that Franchisor

may prohibit the use of the System and its trade names, notwithstanding the

granting of this Agreement, if Franchisee fails to design, construct, equip,

furnish or operate its Restaurant in compliance with the specifications

designated by Franchisor, unless prior written approval has been received from

Franchisor.

 

4. GENERAL SERVICES OF FRANCHISOR

4.1 Franchisor shall advise and consult with Franchisee periodically in

connection with the operation of the Restaurant, and at other reasonable times

upon Franchisee's request. Franchisor will provide to Franchisee such of its

know-how, new developments, techniques and improvements in areas of restaurant

design, management, food and beverage preparation, sales promotion and service

concepts as may be pertinent to the construction and operation of the Restaurant

under the System. Franchisor may provide the foregoing information (a) by

sending representatives to visit the Restaurant, (b) by providing written or

other material, (c) at meetings or seminars, and (d) at training sessions at

Franchisor's training facility and/or such other locations as may be selected by

Franchisor from time to time. Franchisor also shall make available to Franchisee

all additional services, facilities, rights and privileges which Franchisor

makes available from time to time to its franchisees of the System generally.

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4.2 For approximately eight (8) days prior to the opening of the Restaurant

and the first six (6) days that the Restaurant is open for business, Franchisor

shall provide Franchisee, at Franchisor's expense, with the services of up to a

maximum of six (6) of Franchisor's training personnel to facilitate proper

operation of the kitchen, bar and dining room areas during that period and to

assist in correcting any operational problems which may arise. Franchisee shall

reimburse Franchisor for any additional training support required or requested.

4.3 From time to time during the term of this Agreement, Franchisor will

develop and test new menu items. The menu consists of approved national food and

beverage selections. Franchisee shall comply with all menu changes which

generally occur every six (6) months. The menu may be modified to reflect food

and beverage items peculiar to Franchisee's local area, subject to Franchisor's

testing and approval.

 

5. RESTAURANT SYSTEM AND PROCEDURES

5.1 Franchisor shall furnish Franchisee with advice and assistance in

managing and operating the Restaurant, and Franchisor's representatives will

visit the Restaurant periodically. Franchisor will assist Franchisee in

coordinating the Restaurant's pre-opening activities, and as noted more

particularly in Subsection 4.2 hereof, shall provide Franchisee with the

services of certain of Franchisor's personnel to facilitate proper operation of

the Restaurant when it opens for business.

5.2 Franchisee shall designate an employee who will supervise the

Restaurant, and devote his or her full time, best efforts and constant personal

attention to the day-to-day operation of the Restaurant (the "General Manager").

Franchisee also shall designate an employee who will supervise the Restaurant

kitchen, and devote his or her full time, best efforts and constant personal

attention to the day-to-day operation of the Restaurant kitchen (the "Kitchen

Manager").

5.3 Franchisee shall require that the General Manager, the Kitchen Manager

and each of Franchisee's employees who serve as Restaurant managers to maintain

his or her principal personal residence within a usual driving time of not more

than approximately one (1) hour from the Restaurant. Franchisor reserves the

right to require that, as a condition of his or her employment, the General

Manager must successfully complete Franchisor's interview process and a

psychological profile test in a manner which satisfies a uniform standard

established by Franchisor. The test shall be administered by Franchisor, or by a

testing agency designated by Franchisor, at Franchisee's expense.

5.4 Unless Franchisor shall have given its prior written approval,

Franchisee shall keep the Restaurant open for business only during the hours

which are specified by Franchisor in the Franchise Operations Manual or in such

other materials or manuals provided or made available by Franchisor to

Franchisee (collectively the "Manuals"), provided that such hours do not

conflict with state laws or local ordinances relating to the sale of alcoholic

beverages or governing the hours during which restaurant establishments may be

open for business. In addition, Franchisee expressly agrees to:

(a) operate the Restaurant in a clean, safe and orderly manner,

providing courteous, first-class service to the public;

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(b) diligently promote and make every reasonable effort to increase the

business of the Restaurant;

(c) advertise the business of the Restaurant by the use of the

Franchisor's trade names, service marks and trademarks and such other

insignia, slogans, emblems, symbols, designs and other identifying

characteristics as may be developed or established from time to time by

Franchisor and included in the Manuals, subject to the limitations of

Subsections 8.4 and 8.5 hereof;

(d) prohibit and, to the best of Franchisee's ability, prevent the use

of the Restaurant for any immoral or illegal purpose, or for any other

purpose, business activity, use or function which is not expressly

authorized hereunder or in the Manuals; and

(e) comply fully with all applicable laws and regulations, including,

but not limited to, those relating to building construction, maintenance

and safety, environmental, fire prevention, food safety, public access and

the sale of alcoholic beverages.

5.5 Franchisee hereby acknowledges receipt and loan of a copy of the

Manuals heretofore or hereinafter furnished to Franchisee, and agrees to

faithfully, completely and continuously perform, fulfill, observe and follow all

instructions, requirements, standards, specifications, systems and procedures

contained therein, including (a) those relating to the construction, design,

decor, building and equipping of the Restaurant, (b) those relating to the

selection, purchase, storage, preparation, packaging, service and sale of all

products being sold at the Restaurant, (c) those relating to the maintenance and

repair of Restaurant building, grounds, equipment, signs, interior and exterior

decor items, fixtures and furnishings, and (d) those relating to employee

uniforms and dress, accounting, bookkeeping, record retention, and other

business systems, procedures and operations. The Manuals are incorporated herein

by reference and hereby made part of this Agreement. Franchisee acknowledges and

agrees that the materials contained in the Manuals are integral, necessary and

material elements of the System.

5.6 Franchisee understands, acknowledges and agrees that strict conformity

with the System, including the standards, specifications, systems, procedures,

requirements and instructions contained in this Agreement and in the Manuals, is

vitally important, not only to the success of Franchisor, but to the collective

success of all of Franchisor's other franchisees, by reason of the benefits

which Franchisor and all of its franchisees will derive from uniformity in

products sold, identity, quality, appearance, facilities and service among all

restaurant units which are part of the System. Without limiting the generality

of the foregoing provisions, Franchisee agrees to adhere strictly to the

requirements in the Manuals relating (a) to the construction, design, decor,

building and equipping of the Restaurant, (b) to the maximum permissible ratio

of sales of alcoholic beverages to sales of food at the Restaurant, and (c) to

the limitations on the number of video games or similar devices which may be

placed on the Restaurant premises. Any failure to adhere to the standards,

specifications, systems, requirements or instructions contained in this

Agreement or in the Manuals shall constitute a material breach of this

Agreement.

5.7 Franchisor shall have the right, at any time and from time to time, in

the good faith exercise of its reasonable business judgment, consistent with the

overall best interests of the System generally, having due regard for the

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financial burden which may be placed upon its franchisees, to revise, amend,

delete from and add to the System and the material contained in the Manuals.

Franchisee expressly agrees to comply with all such revisions, amendments,

deletions and additions.

5.8 Franchisee shall offer for sale from the Restaurant, at all times when

the Restaurant is open for business, only the products which are expressly

designated in the Manuals, except, as noted more particularly in Subsection 4.3,

to the extent that Franchisee has obtained Franchisor's prior written consent to

a modification of that requirement. No product shall be offered or sold at or

from the Restaurant under, or in connection with, any trademark or service mark

other than Franchisor's designated trademarks and service marks without

Franchisor's prior written consent.

5.9 Franchisee shall obtain all food and beverage products, equipments,

signs, interior and exterior decor items, fixtures, furnishings, supplies, and

other products and materials required for the operation of or sold at the

Restaurant solely from suppliers (including manufacturers, distributors and

other sources) who demonstrate, to Franchisor's continuing reasonable

satisfaction, the ability to meet Franchisor's then-current standards and

specifications for such items; who possess adequate quality controls and

capacity to supply Franchisee's needs promptly and reliably; and who have been

approved in writing by Franchisor and not thereafter disapproved. The Manuals

contain a list of approved suppliers. If Franchisee desires to purchase any

items from an unapproved supplier, Franchisee shall submit to Franchisor a

written request for such approval, which approval shall not be unreasonably

withheld, or shall request the supplier itself to do so. Franchisor shall have

the right to inspect the supplier's facilities, and to require that samples from

the supplier be delivered, at Franchisor's option, either to Franchisor or to an

independent, certified laboratory designated by Franchisor for testing.

Franchisee or the supplier shall pay the costs of any such test. Franchisor

shall notify Franchisee in writing within sixty (60) days of receiving any such

request whether it disapproves the supplier. Failure by Franchisor to so notify

Franchisee within that period shall be deemed to constitute Franchisor's

approval of such supplier. Franchisor reserves the right, at its option, to

reinspect the facilities and retest products of any such approved supplier at

any time and to revoke its approval upon the supplier's failure to continue to

meet any of Franchisor's criteria. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any supplier

of goods having any trademark, trade name, service mark, logo or symbol owned by

Franchisor shall not be approved to supply Franchisee such goods until such

supplier has entered a written agreement with Franchisor regarding the

production, use and sale of such goods.

5.10 No food or beverage product, interior or exterior decor item, sign,

item of equipment, fixtures, furnishings or supplies, or other product or

material required for the operation of the Restaurant, which bears any of

Franchisor's trade names, service marks or trademarks, shall be used or sold in

or upon the Restaurant premises unless the same shall have been first submitted

to and approved in writing by Franchisor.

5.11 The Manuals and all related material furnished to Franchisee hereunder

are and shall remain the property of Franchisor, and must be returned to

Franchisor, along with any copies made thereof, immediately upon request or upon

the expiration or earlier termination of this Agreement.

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6. TRAINING

6.1 Franchisor shall make its operations training course available to the

General Manager, the Kitchen Manager, and Franchisee's Assistant Managers and

other Restaurant managers.

6.2 Before the Restaurant opens for business, and thereafter as replacement

personnel are employed by Franchisee, the General Manager, the Kitchen Manager

and each Assistant Manager shall attend Franchisor's operations training

facility for such period of time as Franchisor shall deem reasonably necessary,

and shall successfully complete that course to Franchisor's reasonable

satisfaction. If the General Manager, Kitchen Manager or an Assistant Manager

fails to successfully complete Franchisor's operations training course,

Franchisor may require designation of a new General Manager, Kitchen Manager or

Assistant Manager, as the case may be, and Franchisee shall designate a new

General Manager, Kitchen Manager or Assistant Manager, who shall be required to

successfully complete such training course.

6.3 The General Manager, the Kitchen Manager and each Assistant Manager

shall, from time to time as reasonably required by Franchisor, attend and

successfully complete to Franchisor's reasonable satisfaction a

Franchisor-provided refresher course in restaurant operations.

6.4 Franchisee shall be responsible for the Restaurant's compliance with

the operating standards, methods, techniques and material taught at Franchisor's

operations training course, and shall cause the employees of the Restaurant to

be trained in such standards, methods and techniques as are relevant to the

performance of their respective duties.

6.5 Attendance of the General Manager, the Kitchen Manager and each

Assistant Manager at any of Franchisor's training courses shall be tuition-free.

Franchisee shall pay all other costs and expenses relating to the attendance of

Franchisee's personnel at any of Franchisor's training courses, including,

without limitation, the cost of travel, lodging, meals, and other related and

incidental expenses.

 

7. RESTAURANT MAINTENANCE

7.1 Franchisee shall, at Franchisee's sole cost and expense, maintain the

Restaurant in conformity with the standards, specifications and requirements of

the System, as the same may be designated by Franchisor from time to time.

Franchisee specifically agrees to repair or replace, at Franchisee's cost and

expense, equipment, signs, interior and exterior decor items, fixtures,

furnishings, supplies, and other products and materials required for the

operation of the Restaurant as necessary or desirable, and to obtain, at

Franchisee's cost and expense, any new or additional equipment, signs, interior

and exterior decor items, fixtures, furnishings, supplies, and other products

and materials which may be reasonably required by Franchisor for new products or

procedures. Except as may be expressly provided in the Manuals, no alterations

or improvements, or changes of any kind in design, equipment, signs, interior or

exterior decor items, fixtures or furnishings shall be made in or about the

Restaurant or Restaurant premises without the prior written approval of

Franchisor in each instance.

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7.2 In order to assure the continued success of the Restaurant, Franchisee

shall, at any time from time to time after ________________, _________, (i.e.,

six [6] years after the date of this Agreement) as reasonably required by

Franchisor (taking into consideration the cost and then-remaining term of this

Agreement), modernize the Restaurant premises, equipment, signs, interior and

exterior decor items, fixtures, furnishings, supplies, and other products and

materials required for the operation of the Restaurant, to Franchisor's

then-current standards and specifications, provided that at the time Franchisor

requires Franchisee to so modernize the Restaurant premises at least twenty-five

percent (25%) of Franchisor-owned and operated Restaurants meet such standards

and specifications. Franchisee's obligations under this Subsection are in

addition to, and shall not relieve Franchisee from, any of its other obligations

under this Agreement, including those contained in the Manuals.

7.3 If Franchisee is or becomes a lessee of the Restaurant premises,

Franchisee shall have included in the lease provisions expressly permitting both

Franchisee and Franchisor to take all actions and make all alterations referred

to under Subsections 7.1 and 7.2 hereof, requiring the lessor thereunder to give

Franchisor reasonable notice of any contemplated termination, and providing that

Franchisee has the unrestricted right to assign the lease to Franchisor,

Franchisor's affiliates or approved franchisees of Franchisor without the lessor

having any right to impose conditions on such assignment or to obtain any

payment in connection therewith. Franchisee shall not, without the prior written

consent of Franchisor, execute any lease or other agreement which imposes, or

purports to impose, any limitations on the ability of Franchisee and/or of

Franchisor to operate additional restaurants at any particular location beyond

the geographic limitation set forth in Section 1.4 hereof, or any lease the term

of which is shorter than the term of this Agreement. For purposes of

clarification, Franchisor may require the lease to contain such other provisions

as may be specified in Franchisor's then current lease approval policy or the

terms and conditions of Franchisor's approval of the site for the Restaurant.

 

8. ADVERTISING

8.1 Franchisor shall develop and administer advertising, public relations

and sales promotion programs designed to promote and enhance the collective

success of all restaurant units in the System. It is expressly understood,

acknowledged and agreed that in all phases of such advertising and promotion,

including, without limitation, type, quantity, timing, placement and choice of

media and medium, market areas, advertising agencies and public relations firms,

Franchisor's decisions shall be final and binding. Franchisee shall have the

right to participate actively in all such advertising, public relations and

sales promotion programs, but only in full and complete accordance with such

terms and conditions as may be established by Franchisor for each such program.

8.2 Franchisee shall pay Franchisor, in the manner described in Section 9

hereof, a minimum dollar amount equal to two and seventy five hundredths percent

(2.75%) of Franchisee's gross sales, as defined in Subsection 9.3 hereof. Such

funds shall become the sole and absolute property of Franchisor, to be allocated

to a separate "advertising account" established by Franchisor. Franchisor shall

use such funds for market studies, advertising and marketing studies or

services, production of commercials, advertising copy and layouts, traffic

costs, agency fees, marketing personnel, or any other costs associated with the

development, marketing and testing of advertising, and for the purchase of

advertising time, space or materials in national, regional or other advertising

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media, in a manner determined by Franchisor in its sole discretion. Within six

(6) months following the end of Franchisor's fiscal year, Franchisor shall

provide all franchisees with an accounting of all amounts received from them and

expended by Franchisor for the matters set forth above. In addition, Franchisee

shall expend a minimum dollar amount equal to one percent (1%) of Franchisee's

gross sales, for local promotional activities, subject to the provisions of

Subsections 8.4 and 8.5 hereof. Franchisor shall have the right at all times to

review Franchisee's books and records, and to require Franchisee to produce

evidence of its gross sales and local promotional activities, to ensure

Franchisee's compliance with this Section. Any amount determined by said audit

to be due Franchisor as part of the advertising fee will be paid to Franchisor

by Franchisee within ten (10) days thereafter. At any time after execution of

this Agreement, Franchisor may in its sole discretion increase, to a maximum of

four percent (4%) of gross sales, the percentage of gross sales which Franchisee

shall be required to pay to Franchisor for allocation to a separate advertising

account pursuant to this Subsection 8.2. Franchisor shall use the funds paid

pursuant to that increased percentage requirement solely for the purchase of

advertising time, space or materials in national, regional or other advertising

media, in a manner determined by Franchisor in its sole discretion, provided

that in each calendar year (or other twelve [12] month period established by

Franchisor) in which Franchisor makes expenditures for advertising from such an

advertising account, so long as Franchisee is in compliance with its obligations

hereunder, Franchisor's expenditures for advertising in the Territory

encompassed by the Development Agreement (including expenditures for national or

regional advertising in media which reach that Territory) shall be on a basis

which is roughly proportional to Franchisee's contribution to that advertising

account during that calendar year or other twelve (12) month period. Franchisor

also may increase the percentage of gross sales which Franchisee shall be

required to spend for local promotional activities, provided however, that in no

event shall Franchisee be required to make payments pursuant to this Subsection

8.2 in a dollar amount in excess of five percent (5%) of gross sales. For

purposes of clarification, Franchisor may also decrease the amounts required to

be paid or expended by Franchisor pursuant to this Subsection 8.2.

8.3 Franchisee shall submit to Franchisor, for Franchisor's approval, an

advertising campaign plan relating to the promotion of the opening of the

Restaurant which is sufficient to meet the needs of the market. The Manuals

contain a Press Release kit to assist Franchisee in this regard. Franchisee

shall conduct the approved advertising campaign and make all expenditures for

advertising to promote the opening of the Restaurant no later than sixty (60)

days after the Restaurant opens for business. Franchisor will reimburse fifty

percent (50%) of Franchisee's out-of-pocket opening advertising expenditures up

to a maximum of two thousand five hundred dollars ($2,500), if Franchisee meets

the following criteria:

(a) Franchisee's opening advertising expenditures are made, and the

approved advertising campaign has been conducted, within sixty (60) days

after the opening of the Restaurant;

(b) Franchisee submits to Franchisor within one hundred twenty (120)

days after the opening of the Restaurant documentation for the opening

advertising expenditures, such as paid invoices from suppliers of goods or

services evidencing expenditure on the opening advertising promotion; and

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(c) Franchisee's opening advertising expenditures are made pursuant to

the approved advertising campaign plan and in accordance with the Grand

Opening Reimbursement Program Policy Guidelines set forth in the Manuals.

8.4 Nothing in the foregoing Subsections shall be deemed to prohibit

Franchisee


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