MC Donalds Agreement

Download as pdf or txt
Download as pdf or txt
You are on page 1of 15

EXHIBIT B

FRANCHISE AGREEMENT (TRADITIONAL)

[CITY, STATE]
[Address]
L/C: __________
File #: __________
FRANCHISE AGREEMENT

THIS FRANCHISE AGREEMENT (“Franchise”) made this _____ day of _______________, for the
operation of a McDonald’s restaurant located at __________________________________________________
(the “Restaurant”) by and between:

McDONALD’S USA, LLC,

a Delaware limited liability company,

(“McDonald’s”)

and

______________________________

______________________________

(collectively “Franchisee”)

for the purpose of granting the Franchisee the rights necessary to operate the Restaurant.

In consideration of the mutual rights and obligations contained herein McDonald’s and Franchisee agree
as follows:

1. Nature and Scope of Franchise.


(a) McDonald’s operates a restaurant system (“McDonald’s System”). The McDonald’s
System is a comprehensive system for the ongoing development, operation, and maintenance of McDonald’s
restaurant locations which have been selected and developed for the retailing of a limited menu of uniform and
quality food products, emphasizing prompt and courteous service in a clean, wholesome atmosphere which is
intended to be attractive to children and families and includes proprietary rights in certain valuable trade names,
service marks, and trademarks, including the trade names “McDonald’s” and “McDonald’s Hamburgers,” designs
and color schemes for restaurant buildings, signs, equipment layouts, formulas and specifications for certain food
products, methods of inventory and operation control, bookkeeping and accounting, and manuals covering
business practices and policies. The McDonald’s System is operated and is advertised widely within the United
States of America and in certain foreign countries.

1
(b) McDonald’s holds the right to authorize the adoption and use of the McDonald’s System
at the Restaurant. The rights granted to the Franchisee to operate the Restaurant are set forth in this Franchise,
including the Operator’s Lease (“Lease”) which is attached hereto as Exhibit A, incorporated in this Franchise.
(c) The foundation of the McDonald’s System and the essence of this Franchise is the
adherence by Franchisee to standards and policies of McDonald’s providing for the uniform operation of all
McDonald’s restaurants within the McDonald’s System including, but not limited to, serving only designated
food and beverage products; the use of only prescribed equipment and building layout and designs; strict
adherence to designated food and beverage specifications and to McDonald’s prescribed standards of Quality,
Service, and Cleanliness in the Restaurant operation. Compliance by Franchisee with the foregoing standards and
policies in conjunction with the McDonald’s trademarks and service marks provides the basis for the valuable
goodwill and wide family acceptance of the McDonald’s System. Moreover, the establishment and maintenance
of a close personal working relationship with McDonald’s in the conduct of Franchisee’s McDonald’s restaurant
business, Franchisee’s accountability for performance of the obligations contained in this Franchise, and
Franchisee’s adherence to the tenets of the McDonald’s System constitute the essence of this Franchise.
(d) The provisions of this Franchise shall be interpreted to give effect to the intent of the
parties stated in this paragraph 1 so that the Restaurant shall be operated in conformity to the McDonald’s System
through strict adherence to McDonald’s standards and policies as they exist now and as they may be from time to
time modified.
(e) Franchisee acknowledges Franchisee’s understanding of McDonald’s basic business
policy that McDonald’s will grant franchises only to those individuals who live in the locality of their
McDonald’s restaurant, actually own the entire equity interest in the business of the Restaurant and its profits, and
who will work full time at their McDonald’s restaurant business. Franchisee represents, warrants, and agrees that
Franchisee actually owns the complete equity interest in this Franchise and the profits from the operation of the
Restaurant, and that Franchisee shall maintain such interest during the term of this Franchise except only as
otherwise permitted pursuant to the terms and conditions of this Franchise. Franchisee agrees to furnish
McDonald’s with such evidence as McDonald’s may request, from time to time, for the purpose of assuring
McDonald’s that Franchisee’s interest remains as represented herein.
(f) Franchisee agrees to pay to McDonald’s all required payments under this Franchise,
including, without limitation, the payments set forth in paragraphs 8 and 9 herein and paragraph 3.01 of the Lease.
All payments hereby required constitute a single financial arrangement between Franchisee and McDonald’s
which, taken as a whole and without regard to any designation or descriptions, reflect the value of the
authorization being made available to the Franchisee by McDonald’s in this Franchise and the services rendered
by McDonald’s during the term hereof.
2. Franchise Grant and Term.
(a) McDonald’s grants to Franchisee for the following stated term the right, license, and
privilege:

2
(i) to adopt and use the McDonald’s System at the Restaurant;
(ii) to advertise to the public that Franchisee is a franchisee of McDonald’s;
(iii) to adopt and use, but only in connection with the sale of those food and beverage
products which have been designated by McDonald’s at the Restaurant, the trade names, trademarks, and service
marks which McDonald’s shall designate, from time to time, to be part of the McDonald’s System; and
(iv) to occupy the Restaurant as provided herein.
The rights granted under this Franchise are limited to the Restaurant’s location only.
(b) The term of this Franchise shall begin on ______________ and end on ______________,
unless terminated prior thereto pursuant to the provisions hereof.
3. General Services of McDonald’s. McDonald’s shall advise and consult with Franchisee
periodically in connection with the operation of the Restaurant and also, upon Franchisee’s request, at other
reasonable times. McDonald’s shall communicate to Franchisee know-how, new developments, techniques, and
improvements in areas of restaurant management, food preparation, and service which are pertinent to the
operation of a restaurant using the McDonald’s System. The communications shall be accomplished by visits by
operations consultants, printed and filmed reports, seminars, and newsletter mailings. McDonald’s shall also
make available to Franchisee all additional services, facilities, rights, and privileges relating to the operation of
the Restaurant which McDonald’s makes generally available, from time to time, to all its franchisees operating
McDonald’s restaurants.
4. Manuals. McDonald’s shall provide Franchisee with the business manuals prepared for use by
franchisees of McDonald’s restaurants similar to the Restaurant. The business manuals contain detailed
information including: (a) required operations procedures; (b) methods of inventory control; (c) bookkeeping and
accounting procedures; (d) business practices and policies; and (e) other management and advertising policies.
Franchisee agrees to promptly adopt and use exclusively the formulas, methods, and policies contained in the
business manuals, now and as they may be modified from time to time. Franchisee acknowledges that
McDonald’s or its affiliates own all proprietary rights in and to the McDonald’s System and that the information
revealed in the business manuals, in their entirety, constitute confidential trade secrets. Without the prior written
consent of McDonald’s, Franchisee shall not disclose the contents of the business manuals to any person, except
employees of Franchisee for purposes related solely to the operation of the Restaurant, nor shall Franchisee
reprint or reproduce the manuals in whole or in part for any purpose except in connection with instruction of
employees in the operation of the Restaurant. Such manuals, as modified from time to time, and the policies
contained therein, are incorporated in this Franchise by reference.
5. Advertising. McDonald’s employs both public relations and advertising specialists who
formulate and carry out national and local advertising programs for the McDonald’s System.
Franchisee shall use only advertising and promotional materials and programs provided by
McDonald’s or approved in advance, in writing, by McDonald’s. Neither the approval by McDonald’s of

3
Franchisee’s advertising and promotional material nor the providing of such material by McDonald’s to
Franchisee shall, directly or indirectly, require McDonald’s to pay for such advertising or promotion.
Franchisee shall expend during each calendar year for advertising and promotion of the
Restaurant to the general public an amount which is not less than four percent (4%) of Gross Sales (as that term is
defined in paragraph 7) for such year. Expenditures by Franchisee to national and regional cooperative
advertising and promotion of the McDonald’s System, or to a group of McDonald’s restaurants which includes
the Restaurant, shall be a credit against the required minimum expenditures for advertising and promotion to the
general public.
6. Training. McDonald’s shall make available to Franchisee the services of Hamburger University,
the international training center for the McDonald’s System. Franchisee acknowledges the importance of quality
of business operation among all restaurants in the McDonald’s System and agrees to enroll Franchisee and
Franchisee’s managers, present and future, at Hamburger University or at such other training center as may be
designated by McDonald’s from time to time. McDonald’s shall bear the cost of maintaining Hamburger
University and any other training centers, including the overhead costs of training, staff salaries, materials, and all
technical training tools, and agrees to provide to Franchisee both basic and advanced instruction for the operation
of a McDonald’s System restaurant. Franchisee shall pay all traveling, living, compensation, or other expenses
incurred by Franchisee and Franchisee’s employees in connection with attendance at Hamburger University or
such other training centers.
7. Gross Sales. For the purposes of this Franchise, the term “Gross Sales” shall mean all revenues
from sales of the Franchisee based upon all business conducted upon or from the Restaurant, whether such sales
be evidenced by check, cash, credit, charge account, exchange, or otherwise, and shall include, but not be limited
to, the amounts received from the sale of goods, wares, and merchandise, including sales of food, beverages, and
tangible property of every kind and nature, promotional or otherwise, and for services performed from or at the
Restaurant, together with the amount of all orders taken or received at the Restaurant, whether such orders be
filled from the Restaurant or elsewhere. Gross Sales shall not include sales of merchandise for which cash has
been refunded, provided that such sales shall have previously been included in Gross Sales. There shall be
deducted from Gross Sales the price of merchandise returned by customers for exchange, provided that such
returned merchandise shall have been previously included in Gross Sales, and provided that the sales price of
merchandise delivered to the customer in exchange shall be included in Gross Sales. Gross Sales shall not include
the amount of any sales tax imposed by any federal, state, municipal, or other governmental authority directly on
sales and collected from customers, provided that the amount thereof is added to the selling price or absorbed
therein and actually paid by the Franchisee to such governmental authority. Each charge or sale upon credit shall
be treated as a sale for the full price in the month during which such charge or sale shall be made, irrespective of
the time when the Franchisee shall receive payment (whether full or partial) therefor.

4
8. (a) Service Fee. Franchisee shall pay a monthly service fee on or before the tenth (10th) day
of the following month in an amount equal to four percent (4.0%) of the Gross Sales of the Restaurant for the
preceding month immediately ended.
(b) Method of Payment. Franchisee shall at all times participate in the McDonald’s
automatic debit/credit transfer program as specified by McDonald’s from time to time for the payment of all
amounts due McDonald’s pursuant to this Franchise. Franchisee shall execute and deliver to McDonald’s such
documents and instruments as may be necessary to establish and maintain said automatic debit/credit transfer
program.
(c) Interest on Delinquencies. In the event that the Franchisee is past due on the payment of
any amount due McDonald’s under this Franchise, including accrued interest, the Franchisee shall be required, to
the extent permitted by law, to pay interest on the past due amount to McDonald’s for the period beginning with
the original due date for payment to the date of actual payment at an annual rate equal to the highest rate allowed
by law or, if there is no maximum rate permitted by law, then fifteen percent (15%). Such interest will be
calculated on the basis of monthly compounding and the actual number of days elapsed divided by 365.
9. Initial Fee. Franchisee acknowledges that: (a) the initial grant of this Franchise constitutes the
sole consideration for the payment of an Initial Fee of Forty-Five Thousand Dollars ($45,000.00) paid by
Franchisee to McDonald’s; and (b) the fee has been earned by McDonald’s (except where the construction of the
Restaurant has not been completed within one (1) year from the date of the execution and delivery of this
Franchise). If the Restaurant has not been constructed or is not ready for occupancy at the time of the execution
of this Franchise, McDonald’s shall use its best efforts to expedite the construction and lease of the Restaurant to
Franchisee. However, McDonald’s shall not be liable to Franchisee in any manner for any delays in or lack of
completion of such construction for any reason. McDonald’s shall be under no obligation to enforce performance
or to seek other remedies for non-performance of any lease, clause, or contract necessary for the construction of
the Restaurant and reserves the right, in case construction of the Restaurant should be abandoned, the lease
assigned, or other interest in the premises be relinquished, to terminate this Franchise upon reimbursement to
Franchisee of the Initial Fee. At such time as the Restaurant is completed and ready for occupancy, the Initial Fee
shall be deemed to be earned. If the Restaurant is not ready for occupancy within one (1) year from the date of
this Franchise, Franchisee shall have the right to terminate this Franchise and obtain an immediate refund of the
Initial Fee upon written request to McDonald’s.
10. Reports. On or before 11:00 a.m. Central Standard Time on the first business day of each month,
Franchisee shall render, in a manner specified by McDonald’s, a statement, in such form as McDonald’s shall
reasonably require from time to time, of all receipts from the operation of the Restaurant for the preceding month
immediately ended. On or before the twenty-fifth (25th) day of each month Franchisee shall submit to
McDonald’s an operating statement and a statistical report for the previous month in form satisfactory to
McDonald’s. Franchisee shall keep and preserve full and complete records of Gross Sales for at least three (3)
years in a manner and form satisfactory to McDonald’s and shall also deliver such additional financial and

5
operating reports and other information as McDonald’s may reasonably request on the forms and in the manner
prescribed by McDonald’s. Franchisee further agrees to submit within ninety (90) days following the close of
each fiscal year of the Restaurant’s operation, a profit and loss statement covering operations during such fiscal
year and a balance sheet taken as of the close of such fiscal year, all prepared in accordance with generally
accepted accounting principles. The profit and loss statement and the balance sheet shall, if McDonald’s shall
request certification, be certified by a certified public accountant. Franchisee shall at Franchisee’s expense cause
Franchisee’s public accountant and certified public accountant, if any, to consult with McDonald’s concerning
such statement and balance sheet. The original of each such report required by this paragraph 10 shall be mailed
to McDonald’s at the address indicated in paragraph 22 herein.
McDonald’s shall have the right to inspect and/or audit Franchisee’s accounts, books, records,
and tax returns at all reasonable times to ensure that Franchisee is complying with the terms of this Franchise. If
such inspection discloses that Gross Sales actually exceeded the amount reported by Franchisee as Gross Sales by
an amount equal to two percent (2%) or more of Gross Sales originally reported to McDonald’s, Franchisee shall
bear the cost of such inspection and audit.
11. Restrictions. Franchisee agrees and covenants as follows:
(a) During the term of this Franchise, Franchisee shall not, without the prior written consent
of McDonald’s, directly or indirectly, engage in, acquire any financial or beneficial interest (including interests in
corporations, partnerships, trusts, unincorporated associations, or joint ventures) in, or become a landlord for any
restaurant business, which is similar to the Restaurant.
(b) Franchisee shall not, for a period of eighteen (18) months after termination of this
Franchise for any reason or the sale of the Restaurant, directly or indirectly, engage in or acquire any financial or
beneficial interest (including any interest in corporations, partnerships, trusts, unincorporated associations, or joint
ventures) in, or become a landlord of any restaurant business which is similar to the Restaurant within a ten-mile
radius of the Restaurant.
(c) Franchisee shall not appropriate, use, or duplicate the McDonald’s System, or any portion
thereof, for use at any other self-service, carry-out, or other similar restaurant business.
(d) Franchisee shall not disclose or reveal any portion of the McDonald’s System to a
non-franchisee other than to Franchisee’s Restaurant employees as an incident of their training.
(e) Franchisee shall acquire no right to use, or to license the use of, any name, mark, or other
intellectual property right granted or to be granted herein, except in connection with the operation of the
Restaurant.
The restrictions contained in paragraphs 11(a) and 11(b) herein shall not apply to ownership of
less than two percent (2%) of the shares of a company whose shares are listed and traded on a national or regional
securities exchange.
12. Compliance With Entire System. Franchisee acknowledges that every component of the
McDonald’s System is important to McDonald’s and to the operation of the Restaurant as a McDonald’s

6
restaurant, including a designated menu of food and beverage products; uniformity of food specifications,
preparation methods, quality, and appearance; and uniformity of facilities and service.
McDonald’s shall have the right to inspect the Restaurant at all reasonable times to ensure that
Franchisee’s operation thereof is in compliance with the standards and policies of the McDonald’s System.
Franchisee shall comply with the entire McDonald’s System, including, but not limited to, the
following:
(a) Operate the Restaurant in a clean, wholesome manner in compliance with prescribed
standards of Quality, Service, and Cleanliness; comply with all business policies, practices, and procedures
imposed by McDonald’s; serve at the Restaurant only those food and beverage products now or hereafter
designated by McDonald’s; and maintain the building, fixtures, equipment, signage, seating and decor, and
parking area in a good, clean, wholesome condition and repair, and well lighted and in compliance with
designated standards as may be prescribed from time to time by McDonald’s;
(b) Purchase kitchen fixtures, lighting, seating, signs, and other equipment in accordance
with the equipment specifications and layout initially designated by McDonald’s and, promptly after notice from
McDonald’s that the Restaurant premises are ready for occupancy, cause the installation thereof;
(c) Keep the Restaurant constructed and equipped in accordance with the building blueprints
and equipment layout plans that are standard in the McDonald’s System or as such blueprints and plans may be
reasonably changed from time to time by McDonald’s;
(d) Franchisee shall not, without the prior written consent of McDonald’s: (i) make any
building design conversion or (ii) make any alterations, conversions, or additions to the building, equipment, or
parking area;
(e) Make repairs or replacements required: (i) because of damage or wear and tear or (ii) in
order to maintain the Restaurant building and parking area in good condition and in conformity to blueprints and
plans;
(f) Where parking is provided, maintain the parking area for the exclusive use of Restaurant
customers;
(g) Operate the Restaurant seven (7) days per week throughout the year and at least during
the hours from 7:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m., or such other hours as may from time to time be prescribed by
McDonald’s (except when the Restaurant is untenantable as a result of fire or other casualty), maintain sufficient
supplies of food and paper products, and employ adequate personnel so as to operate the Restaurant at its
maximum capacity and efficiency;
(h) Cause all employees of Franchisee, while working in the Restaurant, to: (i) wear
uniforms of such color, design, and other specifications as McDonald’s may designate from time to time;
(ii) present a neat and clean appearance; and (iii) render competent and courteous service to Restaurant customers;
(i) In the dispensing and sale of food products: (i) use only containers, cartons, bags,
napkins, other paper goods, and packaging bearing the approved trademarks and which meet the McDonald’s

7
System specifications and quality standards which McDonald’s may designate from time to time; (ii) use only
those flavorings, garnishments, and food and beverage ingredients which meet the McDonald’s System
specifications and quality standards which McDonald’s may designate from time to time; and (iii) employ only
those methods of food handling and preparation which McDonald’s may designate from time to time;
(j) To make prompt payment in accordance with the terms of invoices rendered to
Franchisee on Franchisee’s purchase of fixtures, signs, equipment, and food and paper supplies; and
(k) At Franchisee’s own expense, comply with all federal, state, and local laws, ordinances,
and regulations affecting the operation of the Restaurant.
13. Best Efforts. Franchisee shall diligently and fully exploit the rights granted in this Franchise by
personally devoting full time and best efforts and, in case more than one individual has executed this Franchise as
the Franchisee, then ______________________________ shall personally devote full time and best efforts to the
operation of the Restaurant. Franchisee shall keep free from conflicting enterprises or any other activities which
would be detrimental to or interfere with the business of the Restaurant.
14. Interference With Employment Relations of Others. During the term of this Franchise,
Franchisee shall not employ or seek to employ any person who is at the time employed by McDonald’s, any of its
subsidiaries, or by any person who is at the time operating a McDonald’s restaurant or otherwise induce, directly
or indirectly, such person to leave such employment. This paragraph 14 shall not be violated if such person has
left the employ of any of the foregoing parties for a period in excess of six (6) months.
15. Assignment. Without the prior written consent of McDonald’s, Franchisee’s interest in this
Franchise shall not be assigned or otherwise transferred in whole or in part (whether voluntarily or by operation of
law) directly, indirectly, or contingently, and then only in accordance with the terms of this paragraph 15.
(a) Death or Permanent Incapacity of Franchisee. Upon the death or permanent incapacity of
Franchisee, the interest of Franchisee in this Franchise may be assigned either pursuant to the terms of
paragraph 15(d) herein or to one or more of the following persons: Franchisee’s spouse, heirs, or nearest relatives
by blood or marriage, subject to the following conditions: (i) if, in the sole discretion of McDonald’s, such person
shall be capable of conducting the Restaurant business in accordance with the terms and conditions of this
Franchise and (ii) if such person shall also execute an agreement by which the person personally assumes full and
unconditional liability for and agrees to perform all the terms and conditions of this Franchise to the same extent
as the original Franchisee. If, in McDonald’s sole discretion, such person cannot devote full time and best efforts
to the operation of the Restaurant or lacks the capacity to operate the Restaurant in accordance with this
Franchise, McDonald’s shall have an option to operate and/or manage the Restaurant for the account of
Franchisee or of Franchisee’s estate until the deceased or incapacitated Franchisee’s interest is transferred to
another party acceptable to McDonald’s in accordance with the terms and conditions of this Franchise. However,
in no event shall such McDonald’s operation and management of the Restaurant continue for a period in excess of
twelve (12) full calendar months without the consent of Franchisee or Franchisee’s estate. In the event that
McDonald’s so operates and/or manages the Restaurant, McDonald’s shall make a complete account to and return

8
the net income from such operation to the Franchisee or to Franchisee’s estate, less a reasonable management fee
and expenses. If the disposition of the Restaurant to a party acceptable to McDonald’s has not taken place within
twelve (12) months from the date that McDonald’s has commenced the operation or management of the
Restaurant on behalf of the deceased or incapacitated Franchisee, then, in that event, McDonald’s shall have the
option to purchase the Restaurant at fair market value for cash or its common stock at its option.
(b) Assignment to Franchisee’s Corporation. Upon Franchisee’s compliance with such
requirements as may from time to time be prescribed by McDonald’s, including a Stockholders Agreement in the
form prescribed by McDonald’s, McDonald’s shall consent to an assignment to a corporation whose shares are
wholly owned and controlled by Franchisee. The corporate name of the corporation shall not include any of the
names or trademarks granted by this Franchise. Any subsequent assignment or transfer, either voluntarily or by
operation of law, of all or any part of said shares shall be made in compliance with the terms and conditions set
forth in paragraphs 15(a) and 15(d) herein.
(c) First Option to Purchase. Franchisee or Franchisee’s representative shall, at least twenty
(20) days prior to the proposed effective date, give McDonald’s written notice of intent to sell or otherwise
transfer this Franchise pursuant to paragraph 15(d). The notice shall set forth the name and address of the
proposed purchaser and all the terms and conditions of any offer. McDonald’s shall have the first option to
purchase the Restaurant by giving written notice to Franchisee of its intention to purchase on the same terms as
the offer within ten (10) days following McDonald’s receipt of such notice. However, if McDonald’s fails to
exercise its option and the Restaurant is not subsequently sold to the proposed purchaser for any reason,
McDonald’s shall continue to have, upon the same conditions, a first option to purchase the Restaurant upon the
terms and conditions of any subsequent offer.
(d) Other Assignment. In addition to any assignments or contingent assignments
contemplated by the terms of paragraphs 15(a) and 15(b), Franchisee shall not sell, transfer, or assign this
Franchise to any person or persons without McDonald’s prior written consent. Such consent shall not be
arbitrarily withheld.
In determining whether to grant or to withhold such consent, McDonald’s shall consider
of each prospective transferee, by way of illustration, the following: (i) work experience and aptitude,
(ii) financial background, (iii) character, (iv) ability to personally devote full time and best efforts to managing the
Restaurant, (v) residence in the locality of the Restaurant, (vi) equity interest in the Restaurant, (vii) conflicting
interests, and (viii) such other criteria and conditions as McDonald’s shall then apply in the case of an application
for a new franchise to operate a McDonald’s restaurant. McDonald’s consent shall also be conditioned each upon
such transferee’s execution of an agreement by which transferee personally assumes full and unconditional
liability for and agrees to perform from the date of such transfer all obligations, covenants, and agreements
contained in this Franchise to the same extent as if transferee had been an original party to this Franchise.
Franchisee and each transferor shall continue to remain personally liable for all affirmative obligations, covenants,
and agreements contained herein for the full term of this Franchise or for such shorter period as McDonald’s may,

9
in its sole discretion, determine. Upon each assignment or other transfer of this Franchise to any person or
persons under the terms and conditions of this paragraph 15(d), the percentage service fee charge owing to
McDonald’s after the date of such assignment or transfer shall be automatically adjusted to the then prevailing
percentage service fee charge required under new Franchises issued by McDonald’s for similar McDonald’s
restaurants at the time of such assignment or transfer.
16. Franchisee Not an Agent of McDonald’s. Franchisee shall have no authority, express or
implied, to act as agent of McDonald’s or any of its affiliates for any purpose. Franchisee is, and shall remain, an
independent contractor responsible for all obligations and liabilities of, and for all loss or damage to, the
Restaurant and its business, including any personal property, equipment, fixtures, or real property connected
therewith, and for all claims or demands based on damage or destruction of property or based on injury, illness, or
death of any person or persons, directly or indirectly, resulting from the operation of the Restaurant. Further,
Franchisee and McDonald’s are not and do not intend to be partners, associates, or joint employers in any way
and McDonald’s shall not be construed to be jointly liable for any acts or omissions of Franchisee under any
circumstances.
17. Insurance. Franchisee shall, upon taking possession of the Restaurant, acquire and maintain in
effect such insurance with such coverages as may be required by the terms of any lease of the Restaurant premises
to McDonald’s, and in any event, Franchisee shall acquire and maintain in effect not less than the following
coverages in the following minimum amounts:
(a) Worker’s Compensation insurance prescribed by law in the state in which the Restaurant
is located and Employer’s Liability Insurance with $100,000/$500,000/$100,000 minimum limit. If the state in
which the Restaurant is located allows the option of not carrying Worker’s Compensation Insurance, and
Franchisee chooses to exercise that option, Franchisee shall nonetheless carry and maintain other insurance with
coverage and limits as approved by McDonald’s.
(b) Commercial general liability insurance in a form approved by McDonald’s with a limit of
$5,000,000 per occurrence/$5,000,000 aggregate.
(c) All such insurance as may be required under the Lease.
All insurance policies required to be carried hereunder shall name McDonald’s and any
party designated by McDonald’s as additional insureds, as their interests may appear in this Franchise. All
policies shall be effective on or prior to the date Franchisee is given possession of the Restaurant premises for the
purpose of installing equipment or opening the Restaurant, whichever occurs first, and evidence of payment of
premiums and duplicate copies of policies of the insurance required herein shall be delivered to McDonald’s at
least thirty (30) days prior to the date that Franchisee opens for business and/or thirty (30) days prior to the
expiration date of an existing policy of insurance. All policies of insurance shall include a provision prohibiting
cancellations or material changes to the policy thereof until thirty (30) days prior written notice has been given to
McDonald’s.

10
In the event Franchisee shall fail to obtain the insurance required herein, McDonald’s
may, but is not obligated to, purchase said insurance, adding the premiums paid to Franchisee’s monthly rent.
(Franchisee may authorize McDonald’s to purchase and to administer the required minimum insurance on
Franchisee’s behalf. However, McDonald’s, by placement of the required minimum insurance, assumes no
responsibility for premium expense nor guarantees payment for any losses sustained by Franchisee.) McDonald’s
may relieve itself of all obligations with respect to the purchase and administration of such required insurance
coverage by giving ten (10) days written notice to Franchisee.
All insurance shall be placed with a reputable insurance company licensed to do business
in the state in which the Restaurant is located and having a Financial Size Category equal to or greater than IX
and Policyholders Rating of “A+” or “A”, as assigned by Alfred M. Best and Company, Inc., unless otherwise
approved by McDonald’s.
18. Material Breach. The parties agree that the happening of any of the following events shall
constitute a material breach of this Franchise and violate the essence of Franchisee’s obligations and, without
prejudice to any of its other rights or remedies at law or in equity, McDonald’s, at its election, may terminate this
Franchise upon the happening of any of the following events:
(a) Franchisee shall fail to maintain and operate the Restaurant in a good, clean, wholesome
manner and in compliance with the standards prescribed by the McDonald’s System;
(b) Franchisee shall be adjudicated a bankrupt, become insolvent, or a receiver, whether
permanent or temporary, for all or substantially all of Franchisee’s property, shall be appointed by any court, or
Franchisee shall make a general assignment for the benefit of creditors, or a voluntary or involuntary petition
under any bankruptcy law shall be filed with respect to Franchisee and shall not be dismissed within thirty (30)
days thereafter;
(c) Any payment owing to McDonald’s is not paid within thirty (30) days after the date such
payment is due;
(d) Any judgment or judgments aggregating in excess of $5,000.00 against Franchisee or any
lien in excess of $5,000.00 against Franchisee’s property shall remain unsatisfied or unbonded of record in excess
of thirty (30) days;
(e) Franchisee shall cause, suffer, or permit (voluntarily or involuntarily) Franchisee’s right
of possession as lessee or sublessee of the premises on which the Restaurant is located to be terminated
prematurely for any cause whatever;
(f) Franchisee shall acquire any interest in a business in violation of paragraph 11(a);
(g) Franchisee shall duplicate the McDonald’s System in violation of paragraph 11(c);
(h) Franchisee shall make or cause a disclosure of any portion of the McDonald’s System in
violation of paragraph 11(d) or shall make or cause a disclosure of part of the McDonald’s System business
manuals;

11
(i) Franchisee shall violate paragraph 11(e) by use of any name, trademark, service mark, or
other intellectual property right exceeding the restrictions of said paragraph 11;
(j) Franchisee shall knowingly sell food or beverage products other than those designated by
McDonald’s or which fail to conform to McDonald’s System specifications for those products, or which are not
prepared in accordance with the methods prescribed by McDonald’s, or fail to sell products designated by
McDonald’s;
(k) Any assignment or other transfer of any interest of the Franchisee in this Franchise shall
occur in violation of paragraph 15(d) herein;
(l) Franchisee shall deny McDonald’s the right to inspect the Restaurant at reasonable times;
(m) Franchisee shall fail to make or make repeated delays in the prompt payment of
undisputed invoices from suppliers or in the remittance of payments as required by this Franchise;
(n) Franchisee makes any misrepresentations to McDonald’s relating to the acquisition
and/or ownership of this Franchise;
(o) Franchisee engages in public conduct which reflects materially and unfavorably upon the
operation of the Restaurant, the reputation of the McDonald’s System, or the goodwill associated with the
McDonald’s trademarks; provided that engaging in legitimate political activity (including testifying, lobbying, or
otherwise attempting to influence legislation) shall not be grounds for termination;
(p) Franchisee is convicted of, pleads guilty or no contest to a felony, or any other crime that
is reasonably likely to adversely affect the McDonald’s System, the Restaurant, or the goodwill associated with
the McDonald’s trademarks; or
(q) Franchisee intentionally understates Gross Sales reported to McDonald’s.
19. Other Breaches. If Franchisee fails in the performance of any of the terms and conditions of this
Franchise (other than performance of the terms and conditions listed in paragraph 18), Franchisee shall be guilty
of a breach of this Franchise which shall not (except in the case of repeated breaches of the same or of different
terms and conditions of this Franchise) constitute grounds for termination of this Franchise. McDonald’s shall
have the right to seek judicial enforcement of its rights and remedies, including, but not limited to, injunctive
relief, damages, or specific performance. Notwithstanding any of the provisions of this paragraph 19, any
uncured breach of the terms of this Franchise (whether of paragraph 18 or 19) shall be sufficient reason for
McDonald’s to withhold approval of its consent to any assignment or transfer of Franchisee’s interest in this
Franchise provided for herein.
20. Effect of Termination.
(a) In the event of any material breach of this Franchise, McDonald’s shall have an
immediate right to enter and take possession of the Restaurant in order to maintain continuous operation of the
Restaurant, to provide for orderly change of management and disposition of personal property, and to otherwise
protect McDonald’s interest.

12
(b) Upon termination of this Franchise due to any breach or breaches, Franchisee shall not,
without the prior written consent of McDonald’s, remove any furniture, fixtures, signs, equipment, other property,
or leasehold improvements from the premises either prior to or for a period of thirty (30) days following such
termination. McDonald’s shall have the option for thirty (30) days following any such termination to purchase
Franchisee’s furniture, fixtures, signs, equipment, other property, and leasehold improvements or any portion
thereof for a sum equal to the fair market value of such property. In the event of such a termination, there shall be
no payment by McDonald’s for intangible assets of Franchisee.
(c) Upon termination of this Franchise due to the expiration of its term or as a result of any
eminent domain proceedings affecting the premises upon which the Restaurant is situated, Franchisee shall not
remove any furniture, fixtures, signs, equipment, other property, or leasehold improvements within sixty (60) days
prior to the date specified for termination or the date specified for takeover by any public authority. McDonald’s
shall, upon written notice of its intention to purchase said property at least thirty (30) days prior to such date of
termination, have the option to purchase Franchisee’s furniture, fixtures, signs, equipment, other property, and
leasehold improvements or any portion thereof for a sum equal to the fair market value of such property. In the
event of such a termination, there shall be no payment by McDonald’s for intangible assets of Franchisee.
(d) Upon termination or expiration of this Franchise, Franchisee shall: (i) forthwith return to
McDonald’s the business manuals furnished to Franchisee, together with all other material containing trade
secrets, operating instructions, or business practices; (ii) discontinue the use of the McDonald’s System and its
associated trade names, service marks, and trademarks or the use of any and all signs and printed goods bearing
such names and marks, or any reference to them; (iii) not disclose, reveal, or publish all or any portion of the
McDonald’s System; and (iv) not thereafter use any trade name, service mark, or trademark similar to or likely to
be confused with any trade name, service mark, or trademark used at any time in the McDonald’s System.
21. Effect of Waivers. No waiver by McDonald’s or any breach or a series of breaches of this
Franchise shall constitute a waiver of any subsequent breach or waiver of the terms of this Franchise.
22. Notices. Any notice hereunder shall be in writing and shall be delivered by personal service or by
United States certified or registered mail, with postage prepaid, addressed to Franchisee at the Restaurant or to
McDonald’s at ONE McDONALD’S PLAZA, OAK BROOK, ILLINOIS 60523. Either party, by a similar
written notice, may change the address to which notices shall be sent.
23. Cost of Enforcement. If McDonald’s institutes any action at law or in equity against Franchisee
to secure or protect McDonald’s rights under or to enforce the terms of this Franchise, in addition to any judgment
entered in its favor, McDonald’s shall be entitled to recover such reasonable attorneys’ fees as may be allowed by
the court together with court costs and expenses of litigation.
24. Indemnification. If McDonald’s shall be subject to any claim, demand, or penalty or become a
party to any suit or other judicial or administrative proceeding by reason of any claimed act or omission by
Franchisee or Franchisee’s employees or agents, or by reason of any act occurring on the Restaurant premises, or
by reason of an omission with respect to the business or operation of the Restaurant, Franchisee shall indemnify

13
and hold McDonald’s harmless against all judgments, settlements, penalties, and expenses, including attorneys’
fees, court costs, and other expenses of litigation or administrative proceeding, incurred by or imposed on
McDonald’s in connection with the investigation or defense relating to such claim, litigation, or administrative
proceeding and, at the election of McDonald’s, Franchisee shall also defend McDonald’s.
25. Construction and Severability. All references in this Franchise to the singular shall include the
plural where applicable. If any part of this Franchise for any reason shall be declared invalid, such decision shall
not affect the validity of any remaining portion, which shall remain in full force and effect. In the event that any
material provision of this Franchise shall be stricken or declared invalid, McDonald’s reserves the right to
terminate this Franchise.
26. Scope and Modification of Franchise. This Franchise (including Exhibit A and any riders
hereto) constitutes the entire agreement between the parties and supersedes all prior and contemporaneous, oral or
written, agreements or understandings of the parties. Nothing in this Franchise or in any related agreement,
however, is intended to disclaim the representations made in the Franchise Disclosure Document furnished to
Franchisee. No interpretation, change, termination, or waiver of any of the provisions hereof shall be binding
upon McDonald’s unless in writing signed by an officer or franchising director of McDonald’s, and which is
specifically identified as an amendment hereto. No modification, waiver, termination, rescission, discharge, or
cancellation of this Franchise shall affect the right of any party hereto to enforce any claim or right hereunder,
whether or not liquidated, which occurred prior to the date of such modification, waiver, termination, rescission,
discharge, or cancellation.
27. Governing Laws. The terms and provisions of this Franchise shall be interpreted in accordance
with and governed by the laws of the state of Illinois.
28. Acknowledgment. Franchisee acknowledges that:
(a) The term of this Franchise is set forth in paragraph 2(b) hereof with no promise or
representation as to the renewal of this Franchise or the grant of a new franchise;
(b) Franchisee hereby represents that Franchisee has received a copy of this Franchise, has
read and understands all obligations being undertaken, and has had an opportunity to consult with Franchisee’s
attorney with respect thereto at least seven (7) calendar days prior to execution;
(c) No representation has been made by McDonald’s as to the future profitability of the
Restaurant;
(d) Prior to the execution of this Franchise, Franchisee has worked at a McDonald’s
restaurant and has had ample opportunity to contact existing franchisees of McDonald’s and to investigate all
representations made by McDonald’s relating to the McDonald’s System;
(e) This Franchise establishes the Restaurant at the location specified on page 1 hereof only
and that no “exclusive,” “protected,” or other territorial rights in the contiguous market area of such Restaurant is
hereby granted or inferred;

14
(f) This Franchise supersedes any and all other agreements and representations respecting
the Restaurant and contains all the terms, conditions, and obligations of the parties with respect to the grant of this
Franchise; however, nothing in this Franchise or in any related agreement is intended to disclaim the
representations made in the Franchise Disclosure Document furnished to Franchisee;
(g) McDonald’s or its affiliates are the sole owner(s) of the trademarks, trade names, service
marks, and goodwill associated therewith, respectively, and Franchisee acquires no right, title, or interest in those
names and marks other than the right to use them only in the manner and to the extent prescribed and approved by
McDonald’s;
(h) No future franchise or offers of franchises for additional McDonald’s restaurants, other
than this Franchise, have been promised to Franchisee and any other franchise offer shall only be in writing,
executed by an officer or franchising director of McDonald’s, and identified as a Franchise Agreement or Rewrite
(New Term) Offer Letter;
(i) Neither McDonald’s nor anyone acting on its behalf has made any representations,
inducements, promises, or agreements, orally or otherwise, respecting the subject matter of this Franchise, which
is not embodied herein or set forth in the Franchise Disclosure Document; and
(j) This Franchise is offered to Franchisee personally and to no others, and may not be
accepted by any other person, partnership, or corporation, or transferred by assignment, will, or operation of law.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto set their hands and seals, in duplicate, the day and year in
this instrument first above written.

McDONALD’S USA, LLC Franchisee

By:
Date

Prepared By:
Date

15

You might also like

pFad - Phonifier reborn

Pfad - The Proxy pFad of © 2024 Garber Painting. All rights reserved.

Note: This service is not intended for secure transactions such as banking, social media, email, or purchasing. Use at your own risk. We assume no liability whatsoever for broken pages.


Alternative Proxies:

Alternative Proxy

pFad Proxy

pFad v3 Proxy

pFad v4 Proxy