Document:

exh1019-formofregionalde

   THE JOINT ® – RD FDD 2021         FRANCHISE DISCLOSURE DOCUMENT      The Joint Corp.  16767 N. Perimeter Dr., Suite 110  Scottsdale, Arizona 85260  Telephone (480) 245-5960  Website: www.thejoint.com  Email: eric.simon@thejoint.com    This disclosure document is for the right to own and operate a Regional Developer Business in which you will be  responsible for promoting, establishing and supporting Location Franchises which operate and/or manage  chiropractic clinics (“Clinic(s)”) that specialize in providing chiropractic services to the general public at a specific  location under the trademarks “The Joint®”, “The Joint® ChiropracticTM, and other marks we authorize.  The term  “Regional Developer” or “Regional Developers”, mean a person or entity that operates one or several Regional  Developer Businesses. Note that the term “Regional Developer(s)” as used in this document has the same definition  and meaning as an “Area Representative(s)” under the new NASAA Multi-Unit Commentary adopted in September  2014.  Each Location Franchise will report to and receive support directly and indirectly from you and/or our  corporate headquarters.  Location Franchises are offered under a separate disclosure document (“FDD for Location  Franchises”).     The estimated total initial investment necessary to begin operations of your Regional Developer Business will range  from $166,225 to $551,350. This amount includes a Development Fee ranging from $150,000 to $500,000 that  must be paid to the franchisor or an affiliate.  Each Regional Developer Business must open at least one Location  Franchise.  The estimated total initial investment necessary to begin operations of a Location Franchise is contained  in our FDD for Location Franchises.       This disclosure document (“Disclosure Document”) summarizes certain provisions of your Regional Developer  Agreement and other information in plain English. Read this Disclosure Document and all accompanying  agreements carefully. You must receive this Disclosure Document at least fourteen (14) calendar days before you  sign a binding agreement with, or make any payment to, us or an affiliate in connection with the proposed franchise  sale. Note, however, that no government agency has verified the information contained in this document.     You may wish to receive your Disclosure Document in another format that is more convenient for you. To discuss  the availability of disclosures in different formats, contact Eric Simon, The Joint Corp., 16767 N. Perimeter Dr.,  Suite 110, Scottsdale, AZ 85260, (480) 245-5960.    The terms of your contract will govern your franchise relationship. Don’t rely on the Disclosure Document alone to  understand your contract. Read your entire contract carefully. Show your contract and this Disclosure Document to  an advisor, like a lawyer or accountant.    Buying a franchise is a complex investment. The information in this Disclosure Document can help you make up  your mind. More information on franchising, such as “A Consumer’s Guide to Buying a Franchise,” which can help  you understand how to use this disclosure document is available from the Federal Trade Commission. You can  contact the FTC at 1-877-FTC-HELP or by writing to the FTC at 600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC  20580. You can also visit the FTC’s home page at www.ftc.gov for additional information on franchising. Call your  state agency or visit your public library for other sources of information on franchising. There may be laws on  franchising in your state. Ask your state agencies about them.    Issuance Date:  April 29, 2021        Franchise Disclosure Document (2021)   i    How to Use this Franchise Disclosure Document   Here are some questions you may be asking about buying a franchise and tips on how to find  more information:  QUESTION WHERE TO FIND INFORMATION  How much can I earn?  Item 19 may give you information about outlet  sales, costs, profits or losses. You should also try  to obtain this information from others, like  current and former franchisees. You can find  their names and contact information in Item 20  or Exhibit E.   How much will I need to invest?  Items 5 and 6 list fees you will be paying to the  franchisor or at the franchisor’s direction. Item 7  lists the initial investment to open. Item 8  describes the suppliers you must use.   Does the franchisor have the financial  ability to provide support to my  business?   Item 21 or Exhibit D includes financial  statements. Review these statements carefully.   Is the franchise system stable, growing,  or shrinking?   Item 20 summarizes the recent history of the  number of company-owned and franchised  outlets.   Will my business be the only The Joint®  Regional Developer Business in my area?   Item 12 and the “territory” provisions in the  franchise agreement describe whether the  franchisor and other franchisees can compete  with you.   Does the franchisor have a troubled legal  history?   Items 3 and 4 tell you whether the franchisor or  its management have been involved in material  litigation or bankruptcy proceedings.   What’s it like to be a The Joint®  Regional Developer Business franchisee?   Item 20 or Exhibit E lists current and former  franchisees. You can contact them to ask about  their experiences.   What else should I know?  These questions are only a few things you  should look for. Review all 23 Items and all  Exhibits in this disclosure document to better  understand this franchise opportunity. See the  table of contents.       Franchise Disclosure Document (2021)   i    What You Need To Know About Franchising Generally    Continuing responsibility to pay fees. You may have to pay royalties and other fees  even if you are losing money.     Business model can change. The franchise agreement may allow the franchisor to  change its manuals and business model without your consent. These changes may require  you to make additional investments in your franchise business or may harm your  franchise business.     Supplier restrictions. You may have to buy or lease items from the franchisor or a  limited group of suppliers the franchisor designates. These items may be more expensive  than similar items you could buy on your own.     Operating restrictions. The franchise agreement may prohibit you from operating a  similar business during the term of the franchise. There are usually other restrictions.  Some examples may include controlling your location, your access to customers, what  you sell, how you market, and your hours of operation.     Competition from franchisor. Even if the franchise agreement grants you a territory, the  franchisor may have the right to compete with you in your territory.     Renewal. Your franchise agreement may not permit you to renew. Even if it does, you  may have to sign a new agreement with different terms and conditions in order to  continue to operate your franchise business.     When your franchise ends. The franchise agreement may prohibit you from operating a  similar business after your franchise ends even if you still have obligations to your  landlord or other creditors.     Some States Require Registration     Your state may have a franchise law, or other law, that requires franchisors to  register before offering or selling franchises in the state. Registration does not mean that  the state recommends the franchise or has verified the information in this document. To  find out if your state has a registration requirement, or to contact your state, use the  agency information in Exhibit A.      Your state also may have laws that require special disclosures or amendments be  made to your franchise agreement. If so, you should check the State Specific Addenda.  See the Table of Contents for the location of the State Specific Addenda.              Special Risks to Consider About This Franchise    Certain states require that the following risk(s) be highlighted:     1. Out-of-State Dispute Resolution. The regional developer agreement requires you to  resolve disputes with the franchisor by mediation and/or litigation only in Arizona. Out-of- state mediation or litigation may force you to accept a less favorable settlement for  disputes. It may also cost more to mediate or litigate with the franchisor in Arizona than in  your own state.        2. Spousal Liability. Your spouse must sign a document that makes your spouse liable for all  financial obligations under the franchise agreement even though your spouse has no  ownership interest in the franchise. This guarantee will place both your and your spouse’s  marital and personal assets, perhaps including your house, at risk if your franchise fails.     Certain states may require other risks to be highlighted. Check the “State Specific  Addenda” (if any) to see whether your state requires other risks to be highlighted.     

 

         REQUIRED BY THE STATE OF MICHIGAN  The state of Michigan prohibits certain unfair provisions that are sometimes in franchise documents.   If any of the following provisions are in these franchise documents, the provisions are void and cannot be  enforced against you.    (a) A prohibition of the right of a franchisee to join an association of franchisees.    (b) A requirement that a franchisee assent to a release, assignment, novation, waiver, or estoppel which  deprives a franchisee of rights and protections provided in this act. This shall not preclude a franchisee, after  entering into a franchise agreement, from settling any and all claims.  (c) A provision that permits a franchisor to terminate a franchise prior to the expiration of its term  except for good cause. Good cause shall include the failure of the franchisee to comply with any lawful provision of  the franchise agreement and to cure such failure after being given written notice thereof and a reasonable  opportunity, which in no event need be more than 30 days, to cure each failure.  (d) A provision that permits a franchisor to refuse to renew a franchise without fairly compensating the  franchisee by repurchase or other means for the fair market value at the time of expiration of the franchisee’s  inventory, supplies, equipment, fixtures, and furnishings. Personalized materials which have no value to the  franchisor and inventory, supplies, equipment, fixtures, and furnishings not reasonably required in the conduct of  the franchised business are not subject to compensation. This subsection applies only if (i) the term of the franchise  is less than 5 years and (ii) the franchisee is prohibited by the franchise or other agreement from continuing to  conduct substantially the same business under another trademark, service mark, trade name, logotype, advertising,  or other commercial symbol in the same area subsequent to the expiration of the franchise or the franchisee does  not receive at least 6 months’ notice of franchisor’s intent not to renew the franchise.  (e) A provision that permits the franchisor to refuse to renew a franchise on terms generally available to  other franchisees of the same class or type under similar circumstances. This section does not require a renewal  provision.  (f)  A provision requiring that mediation or litigation be conducted outside this state. This shall not  preclude the franchisee from entering into an agreement, at the time of mediation, to conduct mediation at a  location outside this state.  (g)  A provision which permits a franchisor to refuse to permit a transfer of ownership of a franchise,  except for good cause. This subdivision does not prevent a franchisor from exercising a right of first refusal to  purchase the franchise. Good cause shall include, but is not limited to:  (i) The failure of the proposed transferee to meet the franchisor’s then current reasonable qualification  or standards.  (ii) The fact that the proposed transferee is a competitor of the franchisor or sub-franchisor.  (iii) The unwillingness of the proposed transferee to agree in writing to comply with all lawful  obligations.  (iv) The failure of the franchisee or proposed transferee to pay any sums owing to the franchisor or to  cure any default in the franchise agreement existing at the time of the proposed transfer.  (h) A provision that requires the franchisee to resell to the franchisor items that are not uniquely  identified with the franchisor. This subdivision does not prohibit a provision that grants to a franchisor a right of  first refusal to purchase the assets of a franchise on the same terms and conditions as a bona fide third party willing  and able to purchase those assets, nor does this subdivision prohibit a provision that grants the franchisor the right  to acquire the assets of a franchise for the market or appraised value of such assets if the franchisee has breached  the lawful provisions of the franchise agreement and has failed to cure the breach in the manner provided in  subdivision (c).            (i) A provision which permits the franchisor to directly or indirectly convey, assign, or otherwise  transfer its obligations to fulfill contractual obligations to the franchisee unless a provision has been made for  providing the required contractual services.  The fact that there is a notice of this offering on file with the attorney general does not constitute approval,  recommendation, or endorsement by the attorney general.  Any questions regarding this notice should be directed to the Attorney General’s Department for the State  of Michigan, Consumer Protection Division, Franchise Section, 670 Law Building, 525 W. Ottawa Street, Lansing,  Michigan 48913, (517) 373-7117.                   TABLE OF CONTENTS  ITEM  PAGE    1. THE FRANCHISOR AND ANY PARENTS, PREDECESSORS AND AFFILIATES  1  2. BUSINESS EXPERIENCE  8  3. LITIGATION  11  4. BANKRUPTCY  14  5. INITIAL FEES  15  6. OTHER FEES  16  7. ESTIMATED INITIAL INVESTMENT  19  8. RESTRICTIONS ON SOURCES OF PRODUCTS AND SERVICES  22  9. FRANCHISEE'S OBLIGATIONS  24  10. FINANCING  26  11. FRANCHISOR’S ASSISTANCE, ADVERTISING, COMPUTER SYSTEMS,  AND TRAINING   27  12. TERRITORY  31  13. TRADEMARKS  33  14. PATENTS, COPYRIGHTS AND PROPRIETARY INFORMATION  35  15. OBLIGATION TO PARTICIPATE IN THE ACTUAL OPERATION OF THE     FRANCHISED  BUSINESS  36  16. RESTRICTIONS ON WHAT THE FRANCHISEE MAY SELL  37  17. RENEWAL, TERMINATION, TRANSFER AND DISPUTE RESOLUTION  38  18. PUBLIC FIGURES  27  19. FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE REPRESENTATIONS  27  20. OUTLETS AND FRANCHISEE INFORMATION  45  21. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  40  22. CONTRACTS  41  23. RECEIPTS  42      EXHIBITS TO DISCLOSURE DOCUMENT:    A. STATE ADMINISTRATORS/AGENTS FOR SERVICE OF PROCESS  B. REGIONAL DEVELOPER AGREEMENT  C. TABLE OF CONTENTS OF MANUAL FOR REGIONAL DEVELOPER BUSINESSES  D. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  E. LIST OF REGIONAL DEVELOPERS  F. STATE-SPECIFIC DISCLOSURES  G. OTHER AGREEMENTS  G – 1 CONFIDENTIALITY/NON-DISCLOSURE AGREEMENT  G – 2  FORM OF ASSET PURCHASE AGREEMENT  G – 3  MAGNIFY LICENSE AGREEMENT  H. STATE EFFECTIVE DATES  I. RECEIPTS                  1    ITEM 1  THE FRANCHISOR AND ANY PARENTS, PREDECESSORS AND AFFILIATES    To simplify the language in this Disclosure Document, the following terms have the meanings given to them below:    “We” or “us” means The Joint Corp., the franchisor, but does not the franchisor’s officers, directors, agents or  employees.      “You” means the person who buys a Regional Developer franchise from us.      “Owners” means the principal shareholders, partners or members holding an ownership interest in you if you are a  corporation, partnership, limited liability company, or other business entity.    “Regional Developer Business” or “Franchised Business” means the franchised business offered under this  Disclosure Document that consists of promoting, establishing and supporting Location Franchises.     “Regional Developer” means a person or entity that owns and operates a Regional Developer Business.  Note that  the term “Regional Developer” as used in this document has the same definition and meaning as an “Area  Representative(s)” under the NASAA Multi-Unit Commentary adopted in September 2014.      “Marks” means the trademarks “The Joint®”, “The Joint Chiropractic®, “The Joint...the chiropractic place®” and  any other marks we authorize for use by The Joint® chiropractic clinics or Regional Developers.    “Clinic” means any chiropractic clinic that operates under the Marks and specializes in providing chiropractic  services and products to the general public through licensed chiropractic professionals, including clinics operated  by us, our affiliates, you or our other franchisees.       “Location Franchise” means the franchised business offered under a separate Franchise Disclosure Document for  the operation and/or management of a Clinic.      “Location Franchisee” or “Franchisee” means the owner or operator of a Location Franchise.     The Franchisor, and any Parents, Predecessor and Affiliates     We are a Delaware corporation, created on March 10, 2010. On November 14, 2014, The Joint Corp. became a  publicly traded company on the NASDAQ exchange.  Our principal business address is 16767 N. Perimeter Dr.,  Suite 110, Scottsdale, Arizona 85260 and our telephone number is (480) 245-5960.  Our agent for service of  process is disclosed in Exhibit A. We operate under our corporate name as well as the names “The Joint” and “The  Joint Chiropractic.”     We do not have any parent companies or predecessors. We do not have any affiliates that offer, or have ever  offered, franchises in this or any other line of business. We do not have any affiliates that provide goods or services  to our franchisees.     Our Business    We offer franchises for Regional Developer Businesses and franchises for Location Franchises. We have never  offered franchises in any other line of business.     The franchise offered under this Disclosure Document is for a Regional Developer Business. It does not include  information about the costs or other requirements relating to the establishment or operation of a Location Franchise.   We have offered franchises for Regional Developer Businesses since 2011, although we temporarily discontinued  offering franchises for Regional Developer Businesses from December 2013 until November 2016.   

 

  2      We have also offered Location Franchises since 2010.  Location Franchises are offered under a separate Disclosure  Document referred to as the “FDD for Location Franchises”. As of December 31, 2020, we have cumulatively sold  a total of 932 Location Franchises. Location Franchises are granted for the owner and/or management of a Clinic. A  more detailed description of the Location Franchise is provided later in this Item.     We currently own, operate and/or manage several Clinics in Arizona, California, Georgia, New Mexico, North  Carolina and South Carolina. These Clinics operate under our Marks, but are not subject to the terms of any  franchise agreements. However, in some instances we have entered into Management Agreements with P.C.s (see  explanation below) who own the Clinics that we manage. We acquired some of these Clinics from franchisees in  late 2014 and early 2015, and developed others on our own. We intend to continue to own, build, acquire, operate  and/or manage Clinics throughout the U.S., and possibly other countries.      We are not currently engaged in any line of business other than: (i) offering Location Franchises and franchises for  Regional Developer Businesses; and (ii) owning, operating and/or managing Clinics as described above.     Regional Developer Businesses    We offer qualified applicants the opportunity to sign a regional developer agreement (referred to as a “Regional  Developer Agreement” or “RDA”) for purposes of establishing and operating a Regional Developer Business,  including the solicitation of potential purchasers of Location Franchises within a defined geographic development  area (“Development Area”). If we grant you a franchise for a Regional Developer Business, you must sign a  Regional Developer Agreement. Our current form of Regional Developer Agreement is attached to this Disclosure  Document as Exhibit B.     As Regional Developer, you will (i) solicit, recruit, screen and interview prospective Franchisees for us (“Sales  Services”); (ii) help us identify and secure sites for Location Franchises (“Site Services”); and (iii) provide  additional operational, training and field support to each Franchisee in your Development Area both before and  after they open their Location Franchise (“Support Services”). You will share in a portion of some of the fees paid  to us by the Franchisees in your Development Area in exchange for performing your duties under the RDA. You  will receive 50% of the initial franchise fees (less referral fees and sales commissions, renewal fees and transfer  fees paid by Franchisees) and 42.957% of royalty fees paid by Franchisees. If we provide Sales Services on your  behalf (with your agreement) then your commission on initial franchise fees will be reduced to 25%.     Your right to promote Location Franchises in your Development Area is non-exclusive.  Therefore, we may recruit  prospective Franchisees and sell Location Franchises in your Development Area. However, you will still earn a  portion of the initial franchise fee for Location Franchises that we sell in your Development Area as long as you  comply with the requirements of your RDA.  We will turn over to you all of the sales leads that we receive from  prospects looking to acquire a Location Franchise in your Development Area so that you can pre-qualify the  candidate.      While we rely on you to solicit, screen and interview Franchisee candidates and to present us with those applicants  whom you pre-qualify using our criteria, we make the final decision on whether we will sell a franchise to the  candidates you present. If we approve the candidate, we and the candidate will sign a Franchise Agreement. Our  current form of Franchise Agreement is attached to our separate FDD for Location Franchises. You will not be a  party to the Franchise Agreements we sign.  However, you will provide a variety of Site Services and Support  Services to the Franchisees in your Development Area.    If you are a business entity, the RDA requires you to designate the individuals who will be responsible for your  Regional Developer Business. The Owner(s) of the Regional Developer Business, or others you designate to  operate the Regional Developer Business, must meet our qualifications and must be approved by us.  Your current  and future Owners and their spouses must sign an Owner’s Guaranty and Assumption of Obligations (“Guaranty”)  (see Exhibit 4 to the RDA) guaranteeing your performance and binding themselves individually to certain  provisions of the RDA, including the covenants against competition and disclosure of confidential information,    3    restrictions on transfer and dispute resolution procedures.     As a Regional Developer, you must open at least 1 Location Franchise. You must sign our current form of  Franchise Agreement and pay us our then-current initial franchise fee for Location Franchises at the same time that  you execute your RDA. The estimated total initial investment necessary to begin operation of your required  Location Franchise is contained in our FDD for Location Franchises. You will sign a separate Franchise Agreement  for each Location Franchise that you establish under the RDA. Each Franchise Agreement shall be our then-current  form of Franchise Agreement, the terms and conditions of which may vary materially and substantially from the  terms and conditions of the Franchise Agreement you sign for your first Location Franchise.    We may periodically make changes to the systems and standards for your Regional Developer Business. All  Regional Developer Businesses must be developed and operated in accordance with our specifications, standards,  policies and procedures, which will be communicated to you via our confidential Manual for Regional Developer  Businesses (“Manual for RDs”) or other written communications and directions from us.      Market and Competition for Regional Developer Businesses    Regional Developer Businesses compete with other franchisors, regional developers, sales brokers and others  offering various types of franchise concepts and/or other business opportunities. Prior business management  experience is generally very important for new Regional Developers, and prior business ownership experience is  highly desirable.    Laws and Regulations for Regional Developer Businesses    Many states and local jurisdictions have enacted laws, rules, regulations and ordinances that may apply to the  operation of your Regional Developer Business. In all cases, you must also comply with laws that apply generally  to all businesses. You should investigate these laws, and consult with a legal advisor about whether these and/or  other requirements apply to your franchise. In addition to laws and regulations that apply to businesses generally,  your Regional Developer Business may be subject to federal, state and local occupational safety and health  regulations, Equal Employment Opportunity and Americans with Disabilities Act rules and regulations. As a  Regional Developer, you must comply with all applicable federal and state franchise laws. You must comply with  the disclosure requirements mandated by the FTC Franchise Disclosure Rule.  Further, in the states of California,  Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, New York, North Dakota, Rhode Island, South Dakota,  Virginia, Washington and Wisconsin, we are required to register the Franchise Disclosure Document (or in some  cases submit a notice filing) before the offer or sale of any franchise in that particular state.  The states of New  York and Washington will also require you to register as a franchise broker. You must comply with all state and  federal data privacy and recordkeeping regulations and guidance. It is your responsibility to investigate and comply  with all applicable laws.       We strongly encourage our Regional Developers to consult with independent legal counsel concerning the  chiropractic laws of the state(s) in which your potential Development Area(s) will be located so that you are aware  of the requirements that will apply to the Location Franchises within your Development Area.  We are not obligated  to provide assistance in determining which specific state laws apply to Regional Developer Businesses or Location  Franchises in your Development Area.      Location Franchises    The Joint® chiropractic clinics offer chiropractic services to the general public under the Marks utilizing a  membership model. The Location Franchise that we offer is for ownership and/or management of a Clinic.     In some cases, the Franchisee owns and operates both the Location Franchise and the Clinic. This is typically the  case where the Franchisee is a licensed healthcare professional. If the Franchisee is not a licensed healthcare  professional, then applicable law may prohibit the Franchisee from owning and operating the Clinic. In those cases,  the Franchisee owns and operates the Location Franchise but enters into a Management Agreement with a separate    4    professional legal entity that will own and operate the Clinic. This structure is referred to as the Professional  Corporation/Management Company Structure. The Professional Corporation/Management Company Structure is  described in more detail below.     We offer Location Franchises to persons or legal entities that meet our qualifications, and are willing to undertake  the investment and effort to own and operate Location Franchises that will own, operate and/or manage Clinics.   Depending on the area, some Location Franchises may have a Regional Developer that assists us with support of  the Location Franchises in their area.  If a Location Franchise is located in an area where we have a Regional  Developer, the Regional Developer provides, on our behalf, certain Sales Services, Site Services, and Support  Services to the Location Franchises in that area.      The Franchise Agreement grants the Franchisee the right to establish and operate a Location Franchise using our  Marks from a site that must be approved by us. The Franchisee must operate the Location Franchise in strict  compliance with: (i) all of the terms and conditions of the Franchise Agreement; (ii) all standards and procedures  that we specify (the “System”); and (iii) all mandatory provisions contained within our Manual for Location  Franchises, as may be changed from time to time (the “Manual for Location Franchises”).    Currently, the Clinics associated with Location Franchises are typically located in highly trafficked strip malls or  other similarly suitable locations, or other locations, such as medical or corporate centers where chiropractic clinics  are typically located.  However, in the future we may offer the right to operate a Location Franchises in a “Non- Traditional Site.”  For purposes of this Disclosure Document, a “Non-Traditional Site” means any site or channel  that generates customer traffic flow that is independent from the general customer traffic flow of the surrounding  area, including on or within the confines or premises of military bases, shopping malls or centers, stadiums, major  industrial or office complexes, parking lots or structures, mobile vehicles, airports, hotels, resorts, school campuses,  train stations, travel plazas, toll roads, casinos, hospitals, theme parks, and sports or entertainment venues. “Non- Traditional Sites” also may include the establishment and operation of a Clinic within a  pre-existing business that  does not operate under the Marks. For example, Clinics established within an urgent care center, retail store, or  medical spa would qualify as Non-Traditional Sites. We would expect to grant franchises for Non-Traditional Sites  in self-contained locations such as college or university campuses, airports, hospitals, or sports arenas.    Professional Corporation/Management Company Structure    Except where unlicensed ownership and operation of a Clinic is allowed by applicable law, each Clinic must be  owned and operated by one or more licensed professionals (typically chiropractors) that will provide chiropractic  services in the state in which the Clinic is located. In those states that require a Professional Corporation (“P.C.”)  (or similar entity, such as a professional limited liability company structure) to own and/or operate a chiropractic  Clinic. If the Franchisee is not a licensed professional and applicable state law requires a P.C., then the Franchisee  will supply management and general business services to the P.C., who in turn will own and operate the  chiropractic Clinic. In these situations, we expect the licensed professionals (typically chiropractors) will form the  “P.C.” and operate it in accordance with local and state laws.      If the Franchisee is not a licensed professional and applicable state law requires a P.C., then the Franchisee must  sign both a Franchise Agreement with us to operate the Location Franchise and a management agreement  (“Management Agreement”) with a P.C. before the Franchisee begins operating the Location Franchise. Our current  form of Management Agreement is attached to our separate FDD for Location Franchises. Depending on the law of  the state, if the Franchisee is a licensed chiropractic professional and/or has his or her own P.C., the Franchisee may  not be required to execute a Management Agreement. Under a Management Agreement, a non-chiropractor  Franchisee will: (i) provide the P.C. with management, administrative services and general business and operational  support consistent with the System; and (ii) generally support the P.C.’s chiropractic Clinic and its delivery of  chiropractic services and related products to patients at the Clinic in compliance with all applicable laws and  regulations.     If the Franchisee is not a licensed professional, we strongly recommend that the Franchisee hire a local healthcare  lawyer to advise the Franchisee on  healthcare laws that will apply to the Location Franchise. The Franchisee must    5    use our applicable standard form of Management Agreement. However, we recommend the Franchisee have this  form reviewed by their healthcare lawyer to determine whether any changes are necessary to comply with  applicable state or local laws. We provide each Franchisee with a generic form of Management Agreement. It is the  Franchisee’s responsibility to ensure that it complies with the laws and regulations of the Franchisee’s state.  If  needed, the Franchisee may negotiate the monetary terms and certain other discretionary business terms of their  relationship as a management company for the P.C. that will own and operate the Clinic and deliver chiropractic  services for the Location Franchise. The Franchisee must obtain our written approval of the final Management  Agreement prior to signing it with a P.C.  Prior to entering into any agreement with a P.C., the Franchisee must also  submit information about the P.C. and its licensed professionals, and their credentials, for our approval. The  Franchisee must maintain a current, conforming and compliant Management Agreement with a valid and approved  P.C. who is in regulatory good standing at all times during the operation of the Location Franchise. The Franchisee   must obtain a credentialing report on every chiropractor that will provide chiropractic services at the Clinic to  ensure that the chiropractor is properly licensed and in good standing.     The P.C. is responsible for employing and controlling chiropractors and any other chiropractic professionals and  staff of the Clinic who provide actual chiropractic services to be delivered at the Clinic. A non-chiropractor  Franchisee may NOT provide nor direct the administering of any actual chiropractic services, nor supervise, direct,  control or suggest to the P.C. or its licensed chiropractors the manner in which the P.C. or its licensed chiropractors  provide or administer actual chiropractic services to patients (unless we enter into a “Waiver Agreement” with the  Franchisee as described further below). Due to various federal and state laws regarding the practice of chiropractic  medicine, and the ownership and operation of chiropractic Clinics and health care businesses that provide  chiropractic services, it is critical that any unlicensed Franchisee does not engage in practices that are, or may  appear to be, the practice of chiropractic medicine. The P.C. is responsible for, and must offer all chiropractic  services in accordance with, all manner of law and regulation, a conforming Management Agreement and the  System. It is the Franchisee’s sole responsibility to operate in compliance with all applicable state and federal laws  in relation to privacy and security of individually identifiable information.    Franchisees must also ensure that their relationship with the P.C. complies with all laws and regulations. The P.C.  who owns the Clinic must comply with all laws and regulations and secure and maintain in force all required  licenses, permits and certificates relating to the operation of a Clinic. Franchisees may assist the P.C. in its effort to  comply with such laws and regulations, but must do so under the direction of the P.C.  Each state has medical,  nursing, physician assistant, cosmetology, naturopathic, chiropractic and other boards that determine rules and  regulations regarding their respective members and the scope of services that may legally be offered by their  members. The laws and regulations generally include requirements for the medical providers to hold required state  licenses and registrations to work as chiropractors and chiropractic assistants in the state where the Clinic is  located, and to hold required certifications by, or registrations in, any applicable professional association or  registry. These laws and regulations vary from state to state and may change from time to time.    Ownership and Operation of Clinics By Unlicensed Persons    In some states, it may be legally permissible for a non-chiropractor to both own and operate a Clinic and a Location  Franchise, including hiring chiropractic and other professional personnel and providing chiropractic services to  patients at the Clinic. If a Franchisee is not a licensed professional and determines that the laws applicable to  chiropractic services in their state permit the Franchisee to both own and operate a Clinic and a Location Franchise,  the Franchisee may request that we waive certain of the requirements of the Franchise Agreement related to  separating the operation of the chiropractic aspects of the Clinic from the business management aspects of the  Location Franchise. In particular, the Franchisee: (a) may not need to enter into a Management Agreement with a  P.C. that would, as a separate entity, own and operate the Clinic and provide all chiropractic services, and (b) may  be able to directly hire and supervise chiropractic professionals.  Any waiver, or any modification of our standards,  would be subject to compliance with all applicable laws and regulations. If we agree to do a waiver, the Franchisee  must enter into an Amendment to Waive Management Agreement (“Waiver Agreement”) in a form attached to our  FDD for Location Franchises. Under the Waiver Agreement, the Franchisee agrees that, instead of entering into the  Management Agreement with a separate P.C., the Franchisee will: (a) operate the Clinic, including performing all  responsibilities and obligations of the “P.C.” under the Management Agreement; and (b) manage the Clinic as  

 

  6    required by the Franchise Agreement and perform all of the responsibilities and obligations of the “Company”  under the Management Agreement in compliance with all applicable laws and regulations.      The Franchisee is responsible for operating in full compliance with all laws that apply to a Location Franchise and  Clinic, and the Franchisee must make their own determination as to their legal compliance obligations. The laws  applicable to a Franchisee’s Clinic may change. If any new or amended law or regulation is enacted in a  Franchisee’s state that would render their operation of the Clinic through a single entity (or otherwise) unlawful, the  Franchisee must immediately advise us of such new or amended law or regulation as well as the measures the  Franchisee intends to take to bring their Locational Franchise and Clinic into compliance with such new or  amended law or regulation, including (if applicable) entering into a Management Agreement with a P.C.  Similarly,  if we discover and notify the Franchisee of any such laws, the Franchisee = must immediately implement any  changes that are necessary to comply with the new or amended law or regulation, including (if applicable) entering  into a Management Agreement with a P.C.      Regardless of whether a Franchisee is licensed or an unlicensed person or entity, the Franchisee must not engage in  the practice of chiropractic medicine, nursing, or any other profession that requires specialized training or  certification, unless the Franchisee is properly licensed to do so. The Franchise Agreement and Management  Agreement will not interfere with, affect or limit the independent exercise of medical judgment by the P.C. and its  professional staff.  It will be the Franchisee’s responsibility for researching all applicable laws, and we strongly  advise that each Franchisee consult with an attorney and/or contact local, state and federal agencies before signing a  Franchise Agreement with us, or a Management Agreement with a P.C., to determine their legal obligations and  evaluate the possible effects on their costs and operations.      Franchisees must operate their Location Franchise at a site we approve.  Franchisees must operate their Location  Franchise in complete accordance with the standards and procedures designated by the Company (the “System”),  and according to the Company’s Manual for Location Franchises, as may be changed from time to time.  A copy of  the table of contents for our Manual for Locations is attached as an exhibit to our FDD for Location Franchises.        The Clinics associated with Location Franchises are typically located in highly-trafficked strip malls or other  similarly suitable sites, or other sites, such as medical or corporate centers where chiropractic clinics are typically  located.  However, in the future we may offer the right to operate a Location Franchise in a “Non-Traditional Site.”   For purposes of this document, a “Non-Traditional Site” means any site or channel that generates customer traffic  flow that is independent from the general customer traffic flow of the surrounding area, including on or within the  confines or premises of military bases, shopping malls or centers, stadiums, major industrial or office complexes,  parking lots or structures, mobile vehicles, airports, hotels, resorts, school campuses, train stations, travel plazas,  toll roads, casinos, hospitals, theme parks, and sports or entertainment venues. We would expect to grant franchises  for Non-Traditional Sites in self-contained sites such as college or university campuses, airports, hospitals, or sports  arenas.    Market and Competition for Location Franchises.      The market for Location Franchises include all individuals who desire chiropractic care.  If a Franchisee opens a  Location Franchise, the competition for the Clinic associated with the Location Franchise will include other  businesses or professionals offering similar products and services to individuals.  These competitors may include  other chiropractic clinics, physical therapy specialists, hospitals and other medical facilities and franchises.  The  Location Franchise may also face competition from businesses or professionals who operate multi-disciplinary  medical and/or health practices, which offer chiropractic care along with other medical and health services to their  clients or patients.      Laws and Regulations for Location Franchises.      Franchisees are responsible for operating in full compliance with all laws that apply to Location Franchises and any    7    Clinics that they own, operate and/or manage. The medical industry is heavily regulated. These laws may include  federal, state and local regulations relating to: the practice of chiropractic medicine and the operation and licensing  of chiropractic services; the relationship of providers and suppliers of health care services, on the one hand, and  chiropractors and clinicians on the other, including anti-kickback laws (including the Federal Medicare Anti- Kickback Statute and similar state laws); restrictions or prohibition on fee splitting; physician self-referral  restrictions (including the federal “Stark Law” and similar state laws); payment systems for medical benefits  available to individuals through insurance and government resources (including Medicare and Medicaid); privacy  of patient records (including the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996); use of medical  devices; and advertising of medical services. While not all of these laws and regulations will be applicable to all  Clinics, depending on location and services provided, it is important to be aware of and compliant with the  regulatory framework. Franchisees should ensure that all employees that will work with patients in the Location  Franchise undergo a background check.      Franchisees must secure and maintain in force all required licenses, permits and certificates relating to the operation  of the Location Franchise and the other licenses applicable to Clinics. Franchisees must not employ any person in a  position that requires a license unless that person is currently licensed by all applicable authorities and a copy of the  license or permit is in their business files and displayed as may be required. Franchisees must comply with all state  and local laws and regulations regarding the management of any Clinic.    Franchisees must also ensure that their relationship with any P.C. for which they manage Clinics complies with all  laws and regulations, and that the P.C. complies with all laws and regulations and secures and maintains in force all  required licenses, permits and certificates relating to the operation of a Clinic. Each state has medical, nursing,  physician assistant, cosmetology, naturopathic, chiropractic and other boards that determine rules and regulations  regarding their respective members and the scope of services that may legally be offered by their members. The  laws and regulations generally include requirements for the medical providers to hold required state licenses and  registrations to work as chiropractors and chiropractic assistants in the state at the site where the Franchise Location  and associated Clinic are located, and to hold required certifications by, or registrations in, any applicable  professional association or registry. If a state or jurisdiction has such a law or regulation, these laws and regulations  are likely to vary from state to state, and these may change from time to time.    Based on our review of the laws of the various states, we expect that Franchisees will be required to work with a  P.C. in the following states: Arkansas, California, Colorado, District of Columbia, Florida, Hawaii, Illinois, Kansas,  Kentucky, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode  Island, South Dakota, Tennessee, Washington, West Virginia, and Wyoming.  However, Franchisees may be  required to work with a P.C. in other states, depending on how those states interpret their own laws. Some states  have not explicitly stated whether an unlicensed person can own and/or operate a chiropractic Clinic in their state.   It is the Franchisee’s responsibility to operate the Location Franchise in compliance with the laws and regulations  of their state. This may mean that they may have to alter the structure of their franchise and begin working with a  P.C., if the state they operate in does not allow, or decides to no longer allow, an unlicensed person from owning  and/or operating a chiropractic Clinic.     Some states may permit an unlicensed person to own and operate a chiropractic Clinic, but require the Franchisee to  first obtain a license or permit (i.e., Alabama, Massachusetts). It is each Franchisee’s responsibility to obtain all  necessary licenses or permits to operate its Location Franchise.       In addition, each Franchisee must operate their Location Franchise in full compliance with all applicable laws,  ordinances and regulations, including, without limitation, government regulations relating to occupational hazards,  health, HIPAA, EEOC, OSHA, discrimination, employment, sexual harassment, worker's compensation and  unemployment insurance and withholding and payment of federal and state income taxes, social security taxes and  sales and service taxes, data privacy and recordkeeping regulations and guidance.  Franchisees must execute all  documents, including documents with us, our agents, affiliates, etc., or others, to ensure compliance with any  applicable laws, whether such laws are applicable now or in the future.  Franchisees should consult with their own  attorney concerning those and other local laws and ordinances that may affect the operation of their Location  Franchise.      8    ITEM 2  BUSINESS EXPERIENCE      Peter D. Holt – President and Chief Executive Officer    Mr. Holt became our President and Chief Executive Officer in August 2016.  From June 2016 to August 2016, Mr.  Holt served as our acting Chief Executive Officer.  From May 2016 to June 2016, Mr. Holt served as our Chief  Operating Officer.     Jake Singleton – Chief Financial Officer    Mr. Singleton became Chief Financial Officer for The Joint Corp. in November 2018. From June 2015 to  November 2018, Mr. Singleton served as our Corporate Controller.      Amy Karroum- Vice President, Human Resources    Mrs. Karroum became Vice President of The Joint Corp. in October 2017.  From June 2015 to October 2017 Mrs.  Karroum was Director of Human Resources for The Joint Corp.      Eric Simon – Vice President of Franchise Sales and Development    Mr. Simon became the Vice President of Franchise Development for The Joint Corp. in November 2016.  From  November 2014 to October 2016, he was the Director of Franchise Development for AAMCO Transmissions, Inc.,  in Horsham, PA.      Jorge Armenteros – Vice President of Operations    Mr. Armenteros joined The Joint as Vice President of Operations on January 16, 2017.  Previously, Mr. Armenteros  held positions as Sr. Vice President of Franchise Operations and Development at Campero USA Corporation in  Dallas, TX, from January 2007 to May 2016.      Jason Greenwood- Vice President of Marketing     Mr. Greenwood started with The Joint Corp in January of 2018.  From October 2014 to January 2018, Mr.  Greenwood was the Chief Marketing Officer at Peter Piper, Inc.      Manjula Sriram - Vice President, Information Technology    Ms. Sriram joined The Joint as the Vice President of Information Technology in March 2018.  Prior to joining The  Joint, Ms. Sriram was Director of Customer Implementation and Support at Early Warning Services from April  2015 to March 2018.          Dr. Steve Knauf – Executive Director of Chiropractic and Compliance    Dr. Knauf has served as the Executive Director of Chiropractic and Compliance since August 2020. From January  2017 to July 2020, he served as our Director of Chiropractic and Compliance. He was a Senior Doctor of  Chiropractic for us in Scottsdale, AZ from July 2015 to January 2017.     Matthew E. Rubel- Lead Director     Matthew E. Rubel has served as a director since June of 2017. From July 2018 through the present, Mr. Rubel has  served as Chairman of MidOcean Private Equity Consumer Group and Chairman of KidKraft. From August 2017    9    to the present, Mr. Rubel has served as the Lead Director for The Joint Corp. From March 2016 to March 2017, Mr.  Rubel served as CEO, President, and Board Member of Varsity Brands in Dallas, Texas. Previously, starting in  June 2015, Mr. Rubel served as a Senior Advisor at Roark Capital Group in Atlanta, Georgia.     Ronald DaVella – Director    Mr. DaVella became a member of the Board of Directors for The Joint Corp. in November 2014.  From August  2020 to the present, Mr. DaVella has served as a Board Member and Director for Delta Dental of AZ in Phoenix,  Arizona. From November 2020 to the present, Mr. DaVella has served as a Board Member and Director for Mobile  Holding Properties, LLC in Atlanta, Georgia. From January 2021 to the present, Mr. DaVella has served as a Board  Member and Director for NorthStar Security Holdings in Phoenix, Arizona. From April 2020 to the present, Mr.  DaVella has served as COO and CEO of AURA Ventures in Las Vegas, Nevada. From April 2019 to January 2020,  Mr. DaVella served as the VP of Finance of The Alkaline Water Co. in Scottsdale, Arizona. From May 2017 to  March 2019, Mr. DaVella served as Chief Financial Officer of NanoFlex Power Corp. in Scottsdale, Arizona. From  February 2016 to May 2017, Mr. DaVella served as the Chief Financial Officer for Amazing Group, Inc. in  Houston, Texas.  From March 2016 to May 2017, Mr. DaVella served as the Chief Financial Officer for Amazing  Lash Studios Franchise, LLC in Houston, TX.  Since August 2015, Mr. DaVella has been the owner of Katherine’s  Lashes, LLC in Chandler, AZ, which is a franchisee of Amazing Lash Studios.      James Amos – Director    Mr. Amos became a member of the Board of Directors for The Joint Corp. in September 2015. Mr. Amos has  served on the Board of Mortgage Contract Services in Flower Mount Texas since January 2017.  From February  2015 to July 2017, Mr. Amos served as the President and CEO of the National Center for Policy Analysis in Dallas,  Texas.  From February 2014 to the present, Mr. Amos has served as Principal of Eagle Alliance Investments, LLC  in Dallas, Texas. From February 2009 to the present, Mr. Amos has been the Chairman of Agile Pursuits  franchising a wholly owned subsidiary of Proctor and Gamble, in Cincinnati, Ohio. From January 2001 to the  present, Mr. Amos has also served on the Board of Directors for the International Franchise Association in  Washington, D.C.     Suzanne M. Decker- Director     Ms. Decker became a member of the Board of Directors for The Joint Corp. in May 2017. Since April 2017, Ms.  Decker has served as the Chief Human Resource Officer for Aspen Dental management Inc. (ADMI) in Syracuse,  NY.  From June 2015 to April 2017, Ms. Decker served as the Senior Vice-President of Human Resources for  ADMI in Syracuse, NY.     Abe Hong- Director    Mr. Hong became a member of the Board of Directors for The Joint Corp. in Directors June 2018.   August of 2017  to February of 2020, Mr. Hong served as the Executive Vice President and Chief Information Officer of Discount  Tire in Scottsdale, Arizona.   From November 2012 to August 2017, Mr. Hong served as the Senior Vice President  and Chief Information Officer at Red Rock Resorts in Summerlin, Nevada.    Glenn Krevlin- Director    Mr. Krevlin became a member of the Board of Directors for The Joint Corp. in May 2019.   Since Jan. of 2001 Mr.  Krevlin has served as Founder and Managing Partner of GLENHILL Capital in New York, New York.     

 

  10          ITEM 3    LITIGATION      Andrew Franklin v. Herman Miller, Inc., et al, Case No. 653370/2020, filed on July 7, 2020 in the Supreme  Court of New York: Commercial Division.    This lawsuit involves one of our Directors, Glenn Krevlin, but is unrelated to us, our System or our franchisees. The  Plaintiff, Andrew Franklin, filed suit against Herman Miller, Inc., HM Catalyst, Inc., Brian Walker, Hezron  Timothy Lopez, Gregory Bylsma, David Lutz, Mary Vermeer Andringa, David Brandon, Douglas French, The  Estate of J. Barry Griswell, Sr., John R. Hoke III, Lisa Kro, Heidi Manheimer, Dorothy Terrell, David Ulrich,  Michale Volkema, Glenhill Advisors LLC, Glenhill Capital LP, Glenhill Capital Management LLC, Glenhill  Concentrated Long Master Fund LLC, Glenhill Special Opportunities Master Fund LLC, John Edelman, Glenn  Krevlin, John McPhee, William Sweedler, Seth Shapiro, Lorraine Disanto, Windsong DB DWR II, LLC, Windsong  DWR, LLC, Windsong Brands, LLC, Foley & Lardner LLP, Kevin Makowski, Carl Kugler, Ellenoff Grossman &  Schole LLP, Douglas Ellenoff, Richard Baumann, Matthew Gray, Joshua Englard, Financo LLC, and Lee Helman  (“Defendants”). The Plaintiff is a minority shareholder in Design Within Reach (“DWR”). The Plaintiff claims that,  following a change of control of DWR, Mr. Krevlin and other Defendants engaged in certain misconduct and  tactics to deprive DWR minority shareholders of stock issuance and stock value by: (1) approving a self-dealing,  underpriced, dilutive stock issuance; (2) approving a void issuance of DWR common stock based on purported  conversion of non-existent shares of preferred stock; and (3) engaging in tactics resulting in Defendant’s obtaining  a disproportionate share of the value of DWR when DWR was sold in 2014. The Complaint alleges and seeks: (1)  equitable accounting and erroneous closing price per share; (2) breach of fiduciary duty of loyalty: (3) fraud; (4)  aiding and abetting breach of fiduciary loyalty; (5) aiding and abetting fraud; (6) rescissory damages; (7)  declaratory judgments; and (8) inter alia, judgment for Plaintiff for all losses and damages sustained as a result of  the wrongs alleged. The lawsuit is pending.     Of note, a prior lawsuit was filed by Andrew Franklin and Charles Almond (as Trustee for the Almond Family  2001 Trust) (‘Plaintiffs’) on December 19, 2014 in the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware (Case No.  10477-CB) against Glenhill Advisors LLC, Glenhill Capital LP, Glenhill Capital Management LLC, Glenhill  Concentrated Long Master Fund LLC, Glenhill Special Opportunities Master Fund LLC, John Edelman, Glenn  Krevlin, John McPhee, William Sweedler, Windsong DWR, LLC, Windsong Brands, LLC, Herman Miller, Inc.,  and HM Catalyst, Inc. (‘Defendants’). On August 17, 2018, the Court of Chancery issued a Memorandum Opinion,  entering a judgment in favor of all Defendants and against Plaintiffs on all claims. The Plaintiff subsequently filed  the suit described above.     Carmel Mountain et al. v. The Joint, Case No. 01-15-0004-1604 (arbitration demand filed on July 7, 2015;  dismissed with prejudice on December 20, 2016).    Six former and/or current franchisees (Carmel Mountain The Joint Enterprises, Inc., Carmel Valley The Joint  Enterprises, Inc., Carmel Valley The Joint Enterprises, Inc., Funny Bones, LLC, Global Family Enterprises, LLC;  Menifee The Joint Enterprises, Inc., Poway The Joint Enterprises, Inc., R&D Management Solutions, LLC; Rancho  Bernado The Joint Enterprises, Inc., Timothy Reed and Jamey Jacquemond, Santee The Joint Enterprises, Inc., SJD  Corp., Solano Beach The Joint Enterprises, Inc., and Southern California The Joint Enterprises, Inc., ‘Claimants’)  filed a Demand for Arbitration against The Joint Corp. alleging breach of contract, breach of implied covenant of  good faith and fair dealing, wrongful termination, fraud, promissory fraud, negligent misrepresentation, and claims  under or arising out of violations of Section 31300, 31301, 31201 and 31202 of the California Franchise Investment  Law.  The Joint Corp. vigorously denied liability for all of Claimants' claims and asserted counterclaims against  each Claimant for breach of contract, breach of guaranty, among other claims, and sought a declaratory judgment  that termination was proper because Claimants failed to adhere to the development schedules in their respective    11    franchise agreements.  The Joint Corp., through its counterclaim, sought damages for each unopened license, in  accordance with the terms of the parties’ franchise agreements.  The parties entered into a settlement agreement  dated December 12, 2016, in which they each disclaimed any liability as to the respective claims and  counterclaims, and mutually agreed that it was in their best interests to resolve their differences through settlement  rather than arbitration.  Under the terms of the settlement, The Joint Corp. agreed to the following: 1) to pay the  Claimants the sum of $800,000, $600,000 of which was paid by The Joint Corp.'s insurance carrier and $100,000 of  which was paid through the issuance of $100,000 worth of shares of common stock in The Joint Corp. to Claimants  and their counsel; and 2) to waive, for a limited time, the transfer fees that would otherwise be due to The Joint  Corp. if the Claimants elect to sell any of their currently-operating franchises.  The parties also agreed to exchange  mutual general releases. The arbitration was subsequently dismissed with prejudice, based on the parties’  stipulation, on December 20, 2016.     Except for the 2 actions listed above, no litigation is required to be disclosed in this Item.         12    ITEM 4  BANKRUPTCY      Eric J. Simon, our Vice President of Franchise Development, filed as an individual for protection under Chapter 7  of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code (U.S. Bankruptcy Court, Eastern District of Virginia, Case No. 14-12082-RGM) on  May 31, 2014, due to the closing of a restaurant in San Diego, CA and the resulting inability to make payments on  an associated lease agreement.  The case was discharged on September 15, 2014.      No other bankruptcy information is required to be disclosed in this Item.       13    ITEM 5  INITIAL FEES      Development Fee    You must pay us an initial Regional Developer development fee (“the Development Fee”) upon signing your RDA.   The fee will vary depending on a number of factors, including the size of the Development Area and the potential  number of Location Franchises that the Development Area may contain, but we expect these fees to range from  $150,000 to $500,000.  We do not apply any part of this fee toward the initial franchise fees due for any Location  Franchises you may own or operate.    As a Regional Developer, you must open at least one (1) Location Franchise.  You will be required to sign our  current form of Franchise Agreement and pay us our then-current initial franchise fee at the time you execute your  RDA, the amount of which is set forth in the FDD for Location Franchises. The Development Fee and the initial  franchise fee for your Location Franchise must be paid by wire transfer, cash or certified funds when you sign the  RDA. The Development Fee is uniform for all Regional Developer Businesses we offer through this Disclosure  Document. However, we reserve the right to modify the Development Fee in the future to reflect the changing costs  of doing business and changes in the value of a Regional Developer Business. We may also discount the  Development Fee: (i) if a Regional Developer purchases multiple Development Areas, depending on the number of  Development Areas purchased and their geographic locations; (ii) if we are unable to locate a Regional Developer  in a particular region we consider desirable; or (iii) based on other subjective factors we deem important to the  System.  In 2019, we charged Development Fees ranging from $91,741 to $522,252.  We incur significant administrative and other expenses in appointing you as a Regional Developer, including  training costs, attorneys’ fees for preparing your RDA, and expenses related to our lost or deferred opportunities to  enfranchise others. As a result, the Development Fee is not refundable under any circumstances.   Magnify Mapping Software Fee  You have the option, but not the obligation, to utilize our recommended Magnify territory mapping software. If you  choose to do so, you must: (i) sign the Magnify License Agreement, the current form of which is attached to this  Disclosure Document as Exhibit G – 3; and (ii) pay us an $800 annual licensing fee, with the first payment due at  the time you acquire the license. We remit 100% of the annual licensing fee to the third-party licensor of the  software. The annual fee may change from time to time based on changes to the pricing charged by the licensor.  The annual incensing fee is uniformly imposed and nonrefundable.      

 

  14    ITEM 6  OTHER FEES      Fee (1) Amount Due Date Remarks  Transfer Fee $10,000 per transfer Before Transfer  No fee if RDA is transferred to legal  entity that you control.  Renewal Fee  The greater of: a) 10% of  the Royalties we actually  receive and pay to you  during the 12 consecutive  months immediately  preceding the date of the  notice of renewal; or b) 25%  of the original Development  Fee for your Development  Area   Before Renewal None  Franchise Recruitment  Advertising and Marketing  Expenditures   Not less than $750 per  month or $9,000 per year  per Development Area (we  may increase the required  amount by up to 25% per  year)   Monthly or  annually  If you fail to spend any portion of these  required monies, we may deduct the  unspent amount from your Royalty  payments and spend these funds on your  behalf for Location Franchise  solicitation advertising, so long as we  have notified you of your failure and  provided you 30 days to cure it.   Technology Fee Varies  Monthly or  Annually (varies  by fee)  See Note 2 for a description of the  current fees.   Costs and Attorneys' Fees  Our actual costs. As incurred  Payable if your default under your RDA  results in us incurring legal expenses.   Indemnification Our actual costs As incurred  You must indemnify us and related  parties for claims involving the  operation of your business.   Training Fees and Expense  Reimbursements    Varies As incurred See Note 3.  Insurance (4)  Amount of unpaid  premiums and related costs  On demand  Payable only if you fail to maintain  required insurance coverage and we pay  premiums for you.  Model Defense Costs (5) 50% of the incurred cost As incurred Payable to us and/or 3rd party    Explanatory Notes:  1. All fees are non-refundable, imposed by and payable to us, unless otherwise indicated. Your  payments to us are effectuated by the use of pre-authorized electronic transfers from your operating account that we  will process when any payment is due.  We also may deduct amounts you owe use from Royalty payments and    15    commissions due under the RDA.      2. You must acquire and utilize all information and communication technology systems that we  specify from time to time (the “Technology Systems”). Our required Technology Systems may include computer  systems, webcam systems, telecommunications systems, security systems, disclosure systems, electronic signature  systems and similar systems, together with the associated hardware, software (including cloud-based software) and  related equipment, software applications, mobile apps and third-party services relating to the establishment, use,  maintenance, monitoring, security or improvement of these systems. Certain components of the Technology  Systems must be purchased or licensed from third party suppliers. We and/or our affiliate may develop proprietary  software, technology or other components of the Technology Systems that will become part of our System. If this  occurs, you agree to pay us (or our affiliate) commercially reasonable licensing, support and maintenance fees. We  also reserve the right to enter into master agreements with third party suppliers relating to any components of the  Technology Systems and then charge you for all amounts that we must pay to these suppliers based upon your use  of the software, technology, equipment, or services provided by the suppliers. The “technology fee” includes all  amounts that you must pay us or our affiliates relating to the Technology Systems, including amounts paid for  proprietary items and amounts that we collect from you and remit to third-party suppliers based on your use of their  systems, software, technology or services. The amount of the technology fee may change based upon changes to the  Technology Systems or the prices charged by third-party suppliers with whom we enter into master agreements.  The technology fee does not include any amounts that you directly pay to third party suppliers for any component  of the Technology Systems. As of the issuance date of this Disclosure Document, we charge the following  technology fees: (i) a monthly fee for access to our virtual private network ($50 per month): (ii) a monthly licensing  fee paid to FranConnect for your contact management system ($75 per month plus additional $25 per month per  additional license); and (iii) an annual licensing fee for our recommended Magnify mapping software ($800 per  year), if you choose to utilize this software. At this time, we do not retain any portion of any licensing fees that we  collect and remit to third-party licensors, such as FranConnect.     3. We do not charge you any training fees, or require reimbursement of any of our expenses, for the  pre-opening initial training program that we conduct. If we must train any of your replacement staff after  completion the our pre-opening initial training program, we will not charge you any training fee as long as we have  additional space available in a regularly scheduled training class. If we must arrange a specially scheduled session  to train your replacement staff, we may charge you a training fee of up to $1,000 per person. Training for  replacement staff will only be conducted for a general manager or key associate in the case of a Regional Developer  Business.     If you request our trainers to travel, or if they must travel to give you training (other than for on-site  assistance that we may provide during the pre-opening and grand opening period as part of the services covered by  your initial fees described in Item 5), then you must pay us the then-current per diem charges for those trainers and  must reimburse us for the trainers' actual and reasonable travel, lodging and meal expenses.     For all training sessions, seminars and conferences, you will bear the cost of salaries, benefits, travel,  lodging, meals and other related expenses for all your attendees.    4. If you fail to pay the premiums for insurance required to operate your franchise, we may obtain  insurance for you and you will be required to reimburse us within 10 days of receipt of a demand for  reimbursement from us. We will have the right to debit your account the amounts owed to us for such premiums if  you fail to pay us within 10 days of our request for reimbursement.      5. You must pay us, on demand, 50% of documented Model Defense Costs (the “RD Expense  Share”). “Model Defense Costs” means documented third-party expenses (including attorneys’ fees and applicable  court or expert witness costs) incurred by the Company to defend threats to The Joint business model in the  Development Area arising from newly enacted or proposed, revised or otherwise amended restrictions, legislation,  rules, ordinances, and other administrative, state, or governmental actions attempted to be put in place at the  Federal, State, County, or local level governing all or a portion of the Development Area, including potential  actions by the applicable state Chiropractic Board or similarly named entity that governs Chiropractic practice in all    16    or a portion of the Development Area. The RD Expense Share shall be due upon demand from the Company, so  long as the demand includes documentation of all third-party costs and expenses incurred and paid by the Company  that comprise the Model Defense Costs (the “Expense Notice”).      17    ITEM 7  ESTIMATED INITIAL INVESTMENT    YOUR ESTIMATED INITIAL INVESTMENT  Type of Expenditure (1)  Amount  Method of  Payment  When Due  To Whom  Payment is  Made Low High  Development Fee  $150,000 $500,000 Lump sum Upon signing RDA Us  Office Space (2)  (1st 3 months)   $0 $4,500 As agreed As incurred Third Parties  Deposits (2) $0 $1,500 As agreed As incurred Third Parties  Franchise Recruitment  Advertising and Marketing   (1st 3 months)  $2,250 $2,250 As agreed As incurred Third Parties  Travel and Related Expenses for  Initial Training (3)  $600 $1,900 As agreed As incurred Third parties  Errors and Omissions Insurance  (4)  $5,000 $10,000 As agreed As incurred Third Parties  Vehicle Lease (5)  (1st 3 months)   $0 $2,250 As agreed As incurred Third Parties  Professional service fees (6) $500 $5,000 As agreed As incurred Third Parties  Computer Equipment/Software/     Printer (7)  $0 $2,000 As agreed As incurred Third Parties  Technology Fees (7) $375 $1,450 As agreed  Some fees due  monthly others due  annually  Us  Filing and registration costs for  Regional Developer (8)  $2,500 $5,500 As agreed As incurred Third Parties  Additional funds (9)  (1st 3 months)   $5,000 $15,000 As agreed As incurred Third Parties  TOTAL ESTIMATED  INITIAL INVESTMENT  (10)(11)  $166,225 $551,350       Explanatory Notes:  1. Unless otherwise stated in Item 5 or 6, or as otherwise negotiated with 3rd party suppliers, these expenses  are non-refundable. We do not offer financing for any of these expenses.   2. This expense will vary depending on whether you utilize your home for your Regional Developer Business  or you rent office space for your Area Developer business. It will also vary greatly on the amount of  useable square feet you will require to operate Regional Area Developer Business and the office rent rates  in your market area. Generally, the additional office space you will require initially is 1 to 2 offices.  If you  decide to operate from a leased premise, you may be required to pay deposits for utilities. The amount of  these deposits will vary depending on the practices of the utility companies and whether any impact or  hook-up fees are required.  3. This expense is a projected estimate of the travel expenses incurred by you and your employees to attend  

 

  18    the Regional Developer training. It does not include any wages or salaries.  4. All Regional Developers are required to obtain Errors and Omissions insurance in the minimum amount of  $1,000,000, which ranges in cost from $5,000 to $10,000.   5. You may be required to purchase or lease a vehicle to conduct franchise sales activities.  If you decide not  to utilize your own vehicle, we estimate it will cost you approximately $750 per month to cover the cost of  your vehicle, tax, title, and licensing.    6. You may wish to retain the services of an attorney and other consultants to assist you in forming your  business entity and in purchasing and establishing your Regional Developer Business.  We encourage you  to consult with independent legal counsel concerning the chiropractic laws of the state(s) in which your  potential Development Area will be located so that you are aware of the requirements that will apply to the  Location Franchises within your Development Area.  The cost of these services will vary depending on the  different services providers.    7. Although you are not required to purchase any particular computer system to operate your Regional  Developer Business, you will need a computer and printer and have access to a broadband Internet  connection in order to operate your Regional Developer Business.  If you do not already have such  equipment, we estimate that the cost of obtaining a computer and printer will be no more than $2,000;  however, this cost may vary greatly depending on what type of computer and printer you purchase. During  the first 3 months of operation, you must pay us the various technology fees discussed in Item 6, including:  (i) FranConnect fees estimated to range from $225 to $450; (ii) Virtual Private Network fees estimated to  range from $150 to $200; and (iii) the optional $800 annual licensing fee for the Magnify mapping  software. The high estimate assumes you choose to license the Magnify mapping software within the 1st 3  months of operation while the low estimate assumes you choose not to do so.   8. If the laws within your Development Area require you to be registered prior to undertaking your franchise  development activities as required by the RDA, there will be certain costs associated with this registration,  including registrations fees. Registration fees vary from state to state.  9. You may need these additional funds to operate your Regional Developer Business during the initial 3  months of operation. You may need additional funds at or near the higher estimate, or even exceeding the  higher estimate. All expenses for a Regional Developer business will vary depending on the location of the  business, the size of your Development Area, and your Minimum Development Obligation. We relied on  our management team’s experience in franchising other businesses and from experience with our current  Regional Developers to develop the estimate of Additional Funds.    10. We encourage you to make a diligent investigation of the Regional Developer Business opportunity. You  should contact the Regional Developers listed on Exhibit E, and consult appropriate business advisors, like  attorneys or accounts who are qualified to assist you in carefully evaluating these figures, before you make  any decision to purchase a Regional Developer Business from us.   11. We relied on our management team’s experience in franchising other businesses and from experience with  our current Regional Developers to develop these estimates. You should review these figures carefully with  your business advisor(s), and should speak to our existing Regional Developers, before making any  decision to purchase a Regional Developer Business.  In addition to these costs, you must also develop and  operate a minimum of 1 Location Franchise.  Information about the initial investment to open a Location  Franchise is found in our separate FDD for Location Franchises.  These figures may vary considerably in  other parts of the United States.  Your actual investment and expenditures may vary from the above  estimates depending on many factors including where your site is situated, the size of your Development  Area and your management capabilities.  In addition, your costs will depend on factors such as: your  compliance with our methods and procedures; your management skill; your business experience and  business acumen; local economic conditions; the prevailing wage rate; and the growth of your business.       19    ITEM 8    RESTRICTIONS ON SOURCES OF PRODUCTS AND SERVICES      Approved Suppliers     You must purchase specified products and services relating to or for the operation of your Regional Developer  Business solely from suppliers (including distributors, manufacturers, and other sources) who have been approved  in writing by the Company. You are not allowed to purchase any of these products or services from an unapproved  or alternate supplier.  When selecting suppliers, we consider all relevant factors, including the quality of goods and  services, service history, years in business, capacity of supplier, financial condition, terms and other requirements  consistent with other supplier relationships.  However, the Company does not have any specific written criteria for  supplier selection and does not intend at this time to prepare one.  Therefore, the Company will not furnish its  criteria for supplier approval to you.  We maintain written lists of required products (by brand name and/or by  standards and specifications) and lists of approved suppliers for those items.  All such products and approved  vendors for our required products and services will be listed in the Manual for RDs, which must always be  followed, even as modified and updated by the Company.  Currently, we do not require our RDs to purchase any  products, supplies or equipment from or through us other than: (i) the license to access our Virtual Private Network;  and (ii) the FranConnect software that our Regional Developers must use. We are also an approved supplier for the  Magnify mapping software, which is optional.  We reserve the right to periodically re-inspect the facilities and  products of any approved supplier, and revoke our approval if the supplier does not continue to meet any of our  criteria. If we revoke our approval of a supplier, we will notify you by email and the change will become effective  immediately upon notice from us.    Specifications and Standards     You must purchase certain products, supplies and equipment under specifications and standards that we  periodically establish either in the RDA, Manual for RDs, or other notices we send to you from time to time. These  specifications are established to provide standards for performance, durability, design and appearance.  We will  notify you whenever we establish or revise any of our standards or specifications, or if we designate approved  suppliers for products, equipment or services, in each case at least 30 days prior to the effective date of the change.  We may notify you of these changes electronically or by email.  Currently, we have a designated supplier  (FranConnect) which Regional Developers must use for their contact management system for franchise leads. We  currently require that you license the FranConnect software through us.     Our Involvement with Suppliers    While we and our affiliates currently have received no revenue or other consideration from suppliers in  consideration for other goods or services that we require or advise you to obtain from approved suppliers, we  reserve the right to do so in the future. No franchisor officer owns an interest in any supplier. We anticipate that any  revenue or other consideration received would probably include promotional allowances, volume discounts, and  other payments, and would probably be equal to 0% to 10% of the amount of the goods or services you purchase  from the supplier.  We expect that at least some of these arrangements will generally allow us to obtain discounts  off standard pricing, and pass at least a portion of the savings on to you.  There currently are no purchasing and  distribution cooperatives. In 2019, we generated total revenues of $48,450,900. In 2019, we generated $16,050 in  revenues from purchases and leases made by regional developers, which is less than 1% of our total revenues. The  $16,050 in revenues consist of monthly fees for FranConnect that we collected from regional developers.     We may, but need not, negotiate purchase agreements with suppliers (including pricing) for certain equipment,  supplies, and other items leased or purchased by Regional Developers. As of the issuance date of this Disclosure  Document, we have negotiated a purchase agreement (including pricing terms) for the optional Magnify mapping  software. You may purchase such equipment or supplies from such designated suppliers or from any approved  supplier on such terms as you negotiate. The Manual for RDs contains details relating to such purchases.  Currently,    20    we do not require you to purchase any particular equipment or supplies to operate a Regional Developer Business.      Effects of Compliance and Noncompliance    You must comply with our requirements to purchase or lease real estate, goods, and services according to our  specifications and/or from approved suppliers to be eligible to renew your franchise. Failure to comply with these  requirements will render you ineligible for renewal, and may be a default allowing us to terminate your franchise.  We do not provide any other benefits to you because of your use of designated or approved services and products,  or suppliers.    Insurance Specifications     Before operating your Regional Developer Business, you must obtain Errors and Omissions insurance in the  minimum amount of $1,000,000, naming the Company as an additional insured.  We may increase these limits or  have new types of coverage added at any time after giving you notice.  You must maintain this insurance coverage,  as required by your RDA, from a responsible carrier.  Our current insurance requirements are summarized in the  Manual for RDs.  A certificate of insurance must be provided to us within 90 days of the execution date of the  Regional Developer Agreement.     Advertising Specifications     You must obtain our approval before you use any advertising and promotional materials, signs, forms and  stationary prior to their proposed use. We may require you to purchase certain advertising and promotional  materials, brochures, fliers, forms, business cards and letterhead from approved vendors only.  Further, you must  not engage in any advertising of your Regional Developer Business unless we have previously approved the  medium, content, method and provider.    Records     All of your bookkeeping and accounting records, financial statements, and all reports you submit to us must  conform to the requirements set forth in Sections 6.11 and 6.12 of the RDA, as well as those contained in our  Manual for RDs.      Computer-Related Equipment and Software     You are not required to purchase any particular computer system, operating software (except as discussed below),  or hardware to operate your Regional Developer Business.  However, you will be required to use a computer and  printer to operate you, and need to have access to a broadband Internet connection in order to operate your Regional  Developer Business.  You will be required to use our designated contact management system for managing  franchise leads. We currently require that you use FranConnect for your lead management system. The cost  associated with FranConnect is $75/month plus an additional $25 per month per additional license, which currently  must be paid to us (we pay this fee to FranConnect and do not retain any portion). You have the option, but not the  obligation, to utilize our recommended Magnify mapping software for purposes of mapping franchise territories. If  you choose to use this software, you must pay us an annual licensing fee of $800 per year for this software. We  remit this sum to the third-party licensor of the software.     Disclosure Document for Location Franchises  You must ensure that a copy of our FDD for Locations is disclosed (or re-disclosed, when there are updates or  supplements) to each potential Franchisee. We will provide you with one copy of the FDD for Locations, although  it is copyrighted, and you will not be licensed to reproduce it yourself without our prior written authorization.          21    ITEM 9    FRANCHISEE'S OBLIGATIONS      This table lists your principal obligations under the Regional Developer Agreement and other agreements.  It  will help you find more detailed information about your obligations in these agreements and in other items of  this Disclosure Document.      Obligations  Section in Regional Developer  Agreement  Disclosure Document Item  (a) Site selection and acquisition/lease    Sections 2.2, 5.3 and 5.9 of RDA Item 11  (b) Pre-opening purchases/leases Sections 6.5 and 7 of RDA Items 5, 7 and 8  (c) Site development and other pre- opening requirements   No provision of RDA Items 7, 8, and 11  (d) Initial and ongoing training   Sections 5.1 and 5.6 of RDA Item 11  (e) Opening  Section 2.2 of RDA  Item 11  (f) Fees    Sections 2.1, 4.2, 5.1, 5.2, 5.4, 5.9, 6.5,  6.7, 6.12, 6.13, 7, 11.3,15.2 and 15.15  of RDA  Items 5, 6  and 7  (g) Compliance with standards and  policies   Sections 5.2 and 6 of RDA Items 11 and 16  (h) Trademarks and proprietary  information  Sections 9 and 10 of RDA; and  Confidentiality Agreement         (Exhibit G-1)  Items 13 and 14  (i) Restrictions on products/services  offered     Section 5.2(a) of RDA Item 16  (j) Warranty and Customer Service  Requirements   Section 6.1 of RDA None  (k) Territorial Development And Sales  Quotas  Section 2.1 of RDA; Exhibit 2 of RDA  Item 12  (l) On-going   product/services  purchases    Sections 5.4, 5.8, and 6.5 of RDA  Item 8  (m) Maintenance, appearance and   remodeling requirements   Section 5.6 of RDA  None  (n) Insurance  Sections 6.5 and 6.6 of RDA  Item 7  (o) Advertising    Sections 2.1(k), 5.8, 6.7, 6.8, and 6.9 of  RDA   Items 6, 7, and 11  (p) Indemnification Section 15.2 of RDA Items 6, 13 and 17  (q) Owners Participation  management/staffing  Section 6.14 of RDA  Items 11, 15 and 16  (r) Records/reports   Sections 2.1(d), 5.10, 6.10, 6.11 and  6.12 of RDA    Item 6  (s) Inspections/audits Section 5.7 of RDA  Item 6  (t) Transfer   Section 11 of RDA  Items 6 and 17  (u) Renewal  Section 4 of RDA  Items 6 and 17  

 

  22    Obligations  Section in Regional Developer  Agreement  Disclosure Document Item  (v) Post-termination obligations   Section 13.3 of RDA  Item 17  (w) Non-competition covenants  Section 12 of RDA Item 17  (x) Dispute resolution  Sections 14, 15.7, and 15.8 of RDA Item 17  (y) Guaranty  Section 11.7 of RDA Item 15         23    ITEM 10    FINANCING      We do not offer any financing for your initial investment.  We do not guarantee your note, lease or other  obligations.        24    ITEM 11    FRANCHISOR’S ASSISTANCE, ADVERTISING, COMPUTER SYSTEMS, AND TRAINING      Except as listed below, we are not required to provide you any assistance.     Before your Regional Developer Business begins operations, we or our designee will:    1. We will provide the initial training program for Regional Developer Businesses for up to 3  attendees.  Additional persons may attend initial Regional Developer training for no additional fee if space is  available in an already scheduled training session.  You must pay for all travel, entertainment, salaries, and benefits  expenses of your staff. You must open your Regional Developer Business within 45 days after you receive your  initial training from us, or 90 days after signing your Regional Developer Agreement, whichever occurs first. Some  of the factors that may affect this time are completion of training, obtaining insurance and complying with local  laws and regulations. (RDA – Section 5.1).      2. Lend to you one copy of our Manual for Regional Developers (“Manual for RDs”), which contains  our mandatory and suggested specifications, standards and procedures for operating Regional Developer Businesses  (RDA – Section 5.2).  Exhibit C to this Disclosure Document sets forth the Table of Contents for our Manual for  RDs, which is approximately 68 pages. We may modify the Manual for RDs periodically to reflect changes in  System Standards, or as we deem appropriate.  You may view our Manual for RDs at our corporate headquarters  before purchasing your Regional Developer Business, but must first sign a Confidentiality/Non-Disclosure  Agreement (Exhibit G-1) promising not to reveal any of the information contained in the Manual for RDs without  our permission.      3. Prepare and/or register any disclosure documents or other documentation that must be prepared,  amended, or registered for you to fulfill your responsibilities to solicit, recruit, and screen prospective Franchisees  (RDA – Section 5.4).  Federal and state franchise or business opportunity laws govern the sale and offering of  Location Franchises, and may require the preparation, amendment, registration, or registration of all certain  documentation and disclosures relating to the Location Franchises offered in your Development Area (the  “Documentation”) before you can solicit prospective Franchisees. While we will prepare and register all  Documentation necessary for you to begin soliciting prospective Franchisees, you must provide us with any  documentation or information we may need to prepare or register the Documentation, and will be responsible for all  costs applicable to you.  You must review and become fully familiar with all Documentation related to franchises  sold in your Development Area.  Before soliciting a prospective Franchisee, you must take reasonable steps to  confirm that the information contained in the Documentation or other materials related to the offer or sale of  Location Franchises is true, correct, and not misleading, or in violation of applicable state law related to registration  of the Documentation.    4. Review and approve or disapprove your advertising, marketing, and promotional and/or website  materials (RDA – Sections 6.8 and 6.9).  See the remainder of this Item 11 for additional information about our  advertising-related requirements and approval process.    Post-Opening Obligations:    After your Regional Developer franchise opens for business, we or our designee will:    1. Provide you with additional or refresher training programs (RDA – Section 5.1).  You will be  required to participate in periodic webinars and sales calls scheduled by us for Regional Developer Businesses.  We  will require you to attend up to 2 additional or refresher training courses each year at our corporate offices, or  another location we designate.  You may also be required to attend a national business meeting or convention of up  to 3 days each year.  We will determine the location, frequency, and instructors of these training programs.  We  may charge a training fee of up to $1,000 per person if we specifically arrange a training session for your    25    replacement staff after opening (no fee is charged for replacement staff training if there is room available in an  already scheduled training session). You must also pay for all travel, lodging, meal, and personal expenses related  to your attendance and the attendance of your personnel.      2. Continue lending to you a copy of our Manual for RDs (RDA – Sections 5.2).      3. Provide you with general guidance though bulletins or other written materials (RDA – Sections 5.2  and 5.3).    4. If we agree to do so, provide you with additional or special guidance, training, or assistance that  you request (RDA – Section 5.1).  If you request our trainers to travel, or if they must travel to give you training  (other than for on-site assistance that we may provide during the pre-opening and grand opening period as part of  the services covered by your initial fees), then you must pay us the then-current per diem charges for those trainers  and must reimburse us for the trainers' actual and reasonable travel, lodging and meal expenses.    5. As necessary, amend, maintain, or renew any Documentation and/or registrations necessary for you  to continue to solicit prospective Franchisees (RDA – Section 5.4).      6. Approve or disapprove prospective Franchisees (the “Prospective Franchisees”) recommended by  you, and their proposed site locations (RDA – Section 5.5).  You must advertise for, solicit, recruit, and screen  Prospective Franchisees to purchase Location Franchises in your Development Area.  You must investigate each  Prospective Franchisee and its proposed Location Franchise site to determine if they meet our standards and  policies.  After ensuring that a Prospective Franchisee meets our standards, you may recommend to us the approval  of the Prospective Franchisee.  You must provide us with all information that we may request to evaluate your  recommendation.  We may approve or reject a Prospective Franchisee for any reason.  If we disapprove any  Prospective Franchisee, we will notify you in writing of our reasons for the disapproval.  If we approve the  Prospective Franchisee, you must provide the Prospective Franchisee with a copy of our then-current Franchise  Agreement for the Prospective Franchisee to sign.      7. Review and approve or disapprove your advertising, marketing, and promotional and/or website  materials (RDA – Sections 6.8 and 6.9).  See the remainder of this Item 11 for additional information about our  advertising-related requirements and approval process.      8. Pay you any compensation that you are owed under the RDA (RDA – Section 8).        9. Allow you to continue using our Marks and confidential information in operating your Regional  Developer franchise (RDA – Sections 9 and 10).      10. Indemnify you against damages and expenses you incur in a trademark infringement proceeding  disputing your authorized use of any Mark in compliance with the RDA (RDA – Section 9.5).      11. If we establish a local or regional advertising cooperative that covers all or any part of your  Development Area, approve or disapprove any advertising, marketing, or promotional materials created by the  cooperative (RDA – Section 6/7).  See the rest of this Item 11 for additional information about the local and  regional advertising cooperatives that we may create.      Advertising and Marketing    Advertising by You    You may develop, at your cost, advertising and promotional materials for your use, but may not use them until after  we have approved them in writing. You must submit to us for our approval samples of all advertising and  promotional materials not prepared or previously approved by us that you wish to use.  We will not unreasonably  withhold our approval.  If you do not receive our written disapproval within 15 days from the date we receive the  

 

  26    materials, the materials will be deemed to have been approved.  Any materials submitted to us for approval will  become our intellectual property. (RDA – Section 10).    You are required to contribute at least $750 per month or $9,000 per year for Franchise Recruitment Advertising  and Marketing Expenditures in your Development Area.  We may increase the required amount by up to 25% per  year.  We may require you to submit to corporate your yearly lead generation marketing plan for review and  approval.    While we currently have several advertising cooperatives for Franchisees, we do not have and do not plan on  creating any Regional Developer advertising cooperatives.      Advertising by Us    We currently have an advertising fund ("Ad Fund") for our Location Franchises to accomplish those advertising  and promotional programs we deem necessary or appropriate.  However, we do not have and do not intend to create  an Ad Fund for our Regional Developer Businesses. We are not required to spend any amount on advertising in  your Development area.     Training    As of the date of this franchise disclosure document, we provide the initial training described below for Area  Developers. Our initial training program is available to up to 3 attendees, including the Regional Developer’s  Owners.  Additional persons may attend initial Regional Developer training if space is available in an already  scheduled training session.  Before opening for business, the Regional Developer Owners and any others that will  be directly involved in the operation of the Regional Developer Business must attend and complete the initial  training program to our satisfaction.  We provide this initial training free of charge to any attendees, however, you  must pay the wages, food, lodging and travel expenses for all of your attendees.  The initial training program will  last for approximately 3 days, and will be conducted by us or our designee at our corporate headquarters in  Scottsdale, Arizona, or another location we designate.      Our initial Regional Developer training program currently includes the following:    TRAINING PROGRAM  Subject (1)  Hours of Classroom  Training (2)  Hours of On the Job  Training  Location  Orientation 2 0  Our corporate headquarters  in Scottsdale, AZ  Franchise Development,  Real Estate, Design and  Construction  16 0  Our corporate headquarters  in Scottsdale, AZ  Field Clinic Training 0 24  Training location we  designate  Clinic Management Training 8 0  Our corporate headquarters  in Scottsdale, AZ  Management Field Training 0 16  Training location we  designate   TOTAL HOURS 26.0 40.0    Explanatory Notes:    27    (1) Most of these subjects are integrated throughout the approximately 3-day training program (comprised of  26.0 hours of classroom training).  We plan to be flexible in scheduling training.  There currently are no  fixed (i.e., monthly or bi-monthly) training schedules.    (2) The instruction materials for our training programs include handouts, computer training, the Manual for  RDs, the Manual for Franchise Locations, business plan templates, group discussions, and lectures.      (3) Although the individual instructors of the training program may vary, all of our instructors have at least 2  years of experience in their designated subject area.  The following are our main instructors:    Eric Simon – Vice President of Franchise Sales and Development.     Mr. Simon joined The Joint in November 2016 and has over 21 years of franchising experience with  nationally recognized brands such as AAMCO Transmissions, Inc., Mail Boxes Etc./The UPS Store  and FRANdata.  He was also a franchisee and Regional Developer for Extreme Pita.     Madelon Mulcahey Director of Regional Developer Services    Ms. Mulcahey has been with The Joint since September 2015 and has 31 years of multi-unit sales and  operations leadership in retail/health and wellness, and nationally recognized organizations including  Starbucks, Nutrisystem, Medifast, Bluemercury, Sylvan Learning.    Website    You may not operate a website separate from our website.  All franchise leads must be directed to  www.thejointfranchise.com.  We shall have the right, but not the obligation, to designate one or more web page(s)  to describe Regional Developer.  Such web pages(s) will most likely be located on our Website.    Computer System     You must purchase and use all Technology Systems that we designate from time to time. One component of our  required Technology Systems is your “computer system”, which consists of a computer with broadband Internet  connection, a printer, our required FranConnect software and any optional software you choose to utilize. We  estimate the cost of purchasing a basic computer and any software you may use to operate your Regional Developer  Business to range from $0 to $2,000, depending on whether you already have a computer and a printer.  In addition  to the cost of purchasing a computer and printer, you must also pay the monthly cost of: (i) maintaining high-speed  internet access at your site (estimated to cost between $50 to $200 per month, or $600 to $2,400 per year,  depending on the internet service provider); and (ii) accessing our virtual private network (estimated to cost $50 per  month, or $600 per year).       You must purchase and utilize FranConnect, which is our current contact management system for managing  franchise leads to operate your Regional Developer Business.  FranConnect is a web-based contact management  system for new franchise leads, project management system for opening clinics, and provides operational  administration support to help you in your Regional Developer role.  It is also an internal communication tool  where corporate and franchisees can speak. FranConnect fee is $75 per month ($900 per year) plus an additional  $25 per month ($300 per year) for each additional license. We currently require that you pay the FranConnect fee to  us as part of our technology fee. We remit these amounts to FranConnect.     You have the option, but not the obligation, to use our recommended territory mapping software by Magnify. You  may use this software to map out franchise territories in your development territory. If you choose to use this  software, you must pay us an annual fee of $800 per year, which will be added to your technology fee. We remit all  of this fee to the third-party licensor of the software. In exchange for this fee, the software licensor will provide all  required maintenance, support and updates.        28    Except as disclosed above, (i) neither we nor any other party has any obligation to provide ongoing maintenance,  repairs, upgrades or updates to your computer system; and (ii) we are not aware of any optional or required  maintenance, updating, upgrading or support contracts relating to your computer system.    Your computer system will collect and store data regarding the prospective and current franchisees in your  Development Area, including franchise leads, franchisee contact information and operational data relating to the  franchisees in your Development Area. You will enter this information into your computer system through  FranConnect. We will have independent unlimited access to all data that you enter into FranConnect and there are  no contractual limits imposed on our access. We will not have independent unlimited access to any other data you  enter into or store on your computer system, although we may access this data as part of an inspection.     We may change the computer system you must use from time to time, including hardware, software, Apps and  other related technology. There are no limitations on the cost or frequency of these changes.     We and/or our affiliate may develop proprietary software, technology or other components of the technology  systems that we require Regional Developers to utilize. If this occurs you agree to pay us (or our affiliate)  commercially reasonable licensing, support and maintenance fees. We also reserve the right to enter into master  agreements with third-party suppliers relating to any components of the technology systems and then charge you  for all amounts that we must pay to these suppliers based upon your use of the software, technology, equipment, or  services provided by the suppliers. The “technology fee” includes all amounts that you must pay us or our affiliates  relating to the Technology Systems, including amounts paid for proprietary items and amounts that we collect from  you and remit to third-party suppliers based on your use of their systems, software, technology or services. The  amount of the technology fee may change based upon changes to the Technology Systems or the prices charged by  third-party suppliers with whom we enter into master agreements. The technology fee does not include any amounts  that you directly pay to third party suppliers for any component of the Technology Systems. Our current  “technology fee” includes the following fees: (i) the monthly fee for access to our virtual private network ($50 per  month): (ii) the monthly licensing fee paid to FranConnect for your contact management system ($75 per month  plus additional $25 per month per additional license); and (iii) the annual licensing fee for our recommended  Magnify mapping software ($800 per year), if you choose to utilize this software.     Periodic Review Inspections    You must operate your Regional Developer franchise in accordance with the RDA and the Manual for RDs.  We  reserve the right to conduct period reviews or inspections of your Regional Developer Business operations to  ensure that you are in compliance with your RDA, Manual for RDs, and our other written directives and standards.   We may terminate your RDA if you do not operate your business in compliance with the RDA or the Manual for  RDs.       29    ITEM 12    TERRITORY      Your Development Territory    Your RDA grants you an exclusive Development Area that generally will be defined by state or county boundaries,  or fixed geographical boundaries such as rivers, streets or highways.  There is no specific minimum or maximum  size of geographic area that we will grant you as your Development Area. In determining the size of the  Development Area, we will consider many factors including, but not limited to, the demographics within that  geographic area, your capacity and ability to recruit and provide services within that geographic area, and the  number of Location Franchises we believe can operate within the geographic area.  We identify the Development  Area, Development Schedule, and Development Fee before you sign the RDA.      You may not operate your location franchise under the terms of your RDA at any location outside the Development  Area and may not relocate your location franchise outside of your RDA business without our prior written consent.  You may not operate your Regional Developer Business outside of your Development Area without our approval,  which we may withhold in our sole discretion.You are not permitted to market or sell through alternative channels  of distribution (such as the Internet, catalog sales, telemarketing or other direct marketing), either within or outside  of your territory, without our prior written approval.    If you are in compliance with your RDA, then we and our affiliates will not operate, establish, grant, or operate in  your Development Area another Regional Developer Business offering Location Franchises, or any Location  Franchises not required to be developed under your RDA.      We will not modify your Development Area during the term of your RDA. If you intend to renew or transfer the  RDA, and the then-current demographics of your Development Area have changed, then we may reduce the size of  your Development Area on renewal or transfer. If we reduce the Development Area, we will give you or your  transferee the option (as applicable) to develop the original Development Area.     Reserved Rights    Although we cannot operate, or allow others to operate, a Regional Developer Business within your Development  Territory, we do reserve the following rights:    (a) We expressly reserve the right to establish and operate, or grant others the right to establish  and operate, Clinics that are located within Non-Traditional Sites that are located anywhere, including within your  Development Area. A “Non-Traditional Site” means any site or channel that generates customer traffic flow that is  independent from the general customer traffic flow of the surrounding area, including on or within the confines or  premises of military bases, shopping malls or centers, stadiums, major industrial or office complexes, parking lots  or structures, mobile vehicles, airports, hotels, resorts, school campuses, train stations, travel plazas, toll roads,  casinos, hospitals, theme parks, and sports or entertainment venues. A “Non-Traditional Site” also includes the  establishment and operation of a Clinic within a  pre-existing business that does not operate under the Marks. For  example, Clinics established within an urgent care center, retail store, or medical spa would qualify as Non- Traditional Sites.    (b) We expressly reserve the right to grant Location Franchises and/or Regional Developer  Business rights to others as follows:  (i) in our sole and absolute discretion with regard to the Marks, outside of  your Development Area, (ii) in our sole and absolute discretion with regard to products or services unrelated to the  Marks, inside of your Development Area.     (c) We expressly reserve the engage in an Acquisition, including acquisitions that involve  competitive businesses located within your Development Area. An “Acquisition” means either (i) a competitive or  

 

  30    non-competitive company, franchise system, network or chain directly or indirectly acquiring us, whether in whole  or in part, including by asset or stock purchase, change of control, merger, affiliation or otherwise or (ii) us directly  or indirectly acquiring another competitive or non-competitive company, franchise system, network or chain,  whether in whole or in part, including by asset or stock purchase, change of control, merger, affiliation or  otherwise.  If we convert such business(es) to operate under the Marks, then for so long as such business(es)  operate under the Marks within your Development Area: (i) you must provide support services to such business(es)  and you will receive from us fifty percent (50%) of any royalties that we actually collect from such converted  business(es); and (ii) any such converted business(es) shall count toward your Minimum Development Obligation.    Minimum Development Obligations    You must develop and operate a minimum of 1 Location Franchise and recruit Franchisees to develop and operate  Location Franchises within your Development Area according to a Development Schedule.  You must remain in  compliance with all signed franchise agreements for Location Franchises you own to retain your protected  Development Area rights.  If you do not comply with the Development Schedule, or if any of your Location  Franchises are terminated for any reason, we will have the right to terminate your RDA.      Right to Acquire Additional Territories or Franchises    You have no options, rights of first refusal, or similar rights to acquire additional geographic area to increase your  territory size under the RDA or acquire additional Regional Developer franchises.     Restrictions on Your Sales and Marketing Activities    We may give you the opportunity to participate in the sale of other services through other distribution channels or  to Franchisees in your Development Area. However, you may not participate in other services or areas of  distribution without our prior approval.    You may solicit prospective Franchisees residing outside your Development Area but interested in opening a  franchise within your exclusive Development Area without having to pay any special compensation to us or any  other Regional Developer.  Likewise, Regional Developer outlets owned by us, our affiliates (if applicable), or  other Regional Developers may solicit prospective Franchisees residing in your Development Area but interested in  opening a franchise in another Development Area without having to pay you any special compensation.  You may  not solicit prospective Franchisees for a Location Franchise located outside of your exclusive Development Area.   We will forward to you any leads or referrals that we receive for prospective Franchisees interested in purchasing a  Location Franchise in your Development Area, and you will be entitled to the compensation referred to in Item 1  and Item 11 only if these prospective Franchisees purchase a Location Franchise in your Development Area.      Competitive Businesses Under Different Marks    Currently, neither we nor any affiliate of ours intends to operate or franchise another business under a different  trademark that sells products or services similar to the products or services offered by our Regional Developers.  However, we reserve the right to do so in the future.     31       Item 13  TRADEMARKS  The Company grants you the right and license to use the Marks and the System solely in connection with your  Franchised Business.  You may use our trademarks “The Joint®”, “The Joint Chiropractic®, “The Joint... the  chiropractic place®” and design and such other Marks as are designated in writing by the Company for your use.   In addition, you may use them only in the manner authorized and permitted by the Company and you may not  directly or indirectly contest the Company’s ownership of or rights in the Marks.     We have applied for registration of the following Marks with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (“USPTO”) on  the Principal Register. At the appropriate times, we intend to renew the registrations and to file all appropriate  affidavits.      Mark  Serial  Number  Application Date  Registration  Number  Registration  Date  (Renewal  Date)  Register  THE JOINT® 86438936 October 29, 2014 4723892 April 21, 2015 Principal  The Joint...  the chiropractic place®  85055984 June 7, 2010 3922558  February 22,  2011  (July 29, 2020)  Principal  THE JOINT  CHIROPRACTIC®  86389922  September 9,  2014  5095943  December 6,  2016  Principal    85714193 August 27, 2012 4323810 April 23, 2013 Principal  RELIEF. ON SO MANY  LEVELS.®  86436250 October 27, 2014 4871809  December 15,  2015  Principal  WHAT LIFE DOES TO YOUR  BODY, WE UNDO.®  87530923 07-17-2017 5396012 Feb. 06, 2018 Principal  RELIEF RECOVERY  WELLNESS®  87530845 July 17, 2017 5398367  February 6,  2018  Principal  PAIN RELIEF IS AT HAND® 87530813 July 17, 2017 5395995  February 6,  2018  Principal  YOU’RE BACK, BABY® 88365744 April 1, 2019 5940161  December 17,  2019  Principal  YOU’RE BACK, BABY® 88594960 August 27, 2019 6131833 August 18, Principal    32    Mark  Serial  Number  Application Date  Registration  Number  Registration  Date  (Renewal  Date)  Register  2020  BE CHIRO-PRACTICAL® 87316382 January 27, 2017 5313693  October 17,  2017  Principal  BACK-TOBER® 87530975 July 17, 2017 5571732  September 25,  2018  Principal    88846194 March 24, 2020 Pending Pending Principal     88867510 April 10, 2020 Pending Pending Principal     88867833 April 10, 2020 Pending Pending Principal   DON’T DO PAIN. DO YOU. 90522324  February 10,  2021  Pending Pending Principal   FEEL GOOD. LIVE GREAT. 90522314  February 10,  2021  Pending Pending Principal      All required affidavits have been filed.        33    There are no agreements currently in effect that significantly limit the Company’s right to use or license the use of  the Marks in a manner material to the franchise. The logo is part of the Company’s Marks. With respect to the  Marks, there are currently no effective material determinations of the USPTO, the Trademark Trial and Appeal  Board, or any state trademark administrator or court, or any pending infringement, opposition, or cancellation  proceeding.      We reserve the right to change the Marks you must use at any time. If this happens, you must comply with the  change at your expense within a reasonable time after we notify you of the change.    The Company will indemnify against or reimburse for expenses you incur in defending claims of infringement or  unfair competition arising out of your use of the Marks.  You are required to notify the Company immediately  when you become aware of the use, or claim of right to, a Mark identical or confusingly similar to our Marks.  If  litigation involving the Marks is instituted or threatened against you, you must notify the Company promptly and  cooperate fully with the Company in defending or settling the litigation.  The Company, at its option, may defend  and control the defense of any proceeding relating to any Marks.     The Company has no actual knowledge of either superior prior rights or infringing uses that could materially affect  a Franchisee’s use of the Marks in any state.     

 

  34    ITEM 14    PATENTS, COPYRIGHTS AND PROPRIETARY INFORMATION      Patents Rights     The Company owns no rights in or to any patents or patent applications that are material to the franchise.    Copyrights    The Company claims a copyright and treats the information in the Manuals as confidential trade secrets, but you are  permitted to use the material as part of your Regional Developer Business.  You must promptly tell us when you  learn about unauthorized use of our copyright. We are not obligated to act, but will respond to this information as  we deem appropriate. We have the exclusive right to control any proceeding or litigation alleging the unauthorized  use of our copyrights. We have no obligation to: (i) indemnify you for any expenses or damages arising from any  proceeding or litigation involving our copyrights; or (ii) participate in your defense if you are a party to an  administrative or judicial proceeding involving our copyrights. At any time we may change our copyrighted items  and you must comply with these changes at your expense within a reasonable time after notice from us. There are  no infringements that are known by us at this time.     Confidential Operations Manuals    Under the RDA, you must operate the Regional Developer Business in accordance with the standards, methods,  policies, and procedures specified in the Manual for RDs. You will be loaned a copy of the Manual for RDs and  Manual for Locations for the term of the RDA, when you have completed the initial training program to our  satisfaction. You must operate your Regional Developer franchise strictly in accordance with the Manual for RDs,  as it may be revised by the Company from time to time. You must at all times, treat the Manuals and the  information in them, as well as any other materials created for or approved by use for the operation of your  Regional Developer Business, as confidential, as required by the RDA. You must use all reasonable efforts to  maintain this information as secret and confidential. You must not copy, duplicate, record or otherwise make them  available to any unauthorized person. The Manuals will remain our sole property and must be returned in the event  that you cease to be a Regional Developer franchise owner.    We may from time to time revise the contents of the Manual for RDs and Manual for Locations, and you must  comply with each new or changed provision in the Manual for RDs. You must ensure that our Manuals are kept  current at all times. In the event of any dispute as to the contents of the Manual for RDs, the terms of the master  copies maintained by us at Company’s home office will be controlling.    Confidential Information    The Regional Developer requires you to maintain all Confidential Information of the Company as confidential both  during and after the term of the Agreement. “Confidential Information” includes all information, data, techniques  and know-how designated or treated by the Company as confidential and includes the Manuals. You may not at any  time disclose, copy or use any Confidential Information except as specifically authorized by the Company. Under  the Agreement, you agree that all information, data, techniques and know-how developed or assembled by you or  your employees or agents during the term of the RDA and relating to the System will be deemed a part of the  Confidential Information protected under the RDA. See Item 15 below concerning your obligation to obtain  confidentiality and non-competition agreements from persons involved in the Regional Developer Business.         35    ITEM 15    OBLIGATION TO PARTICIPATE IN THE  ACTUAL OPERATION OF THE FRANCHISED BUSINESS      Each of the individuals who hold an ownership interest in the Regional Developer Business (“Owner(s)”) must  personally participate in the direct operation of the Regional Developer Business.  If as an Owner you do not  personally participate in the direct operation of your Regional Developer Business on a full-time basis, then you are  obligated to have a fully trained Manager operate the franchise.  While we do not require that your Manager have  an equity interest in the franchise, we believe that only a person with an equity interest can adequately ensure that  our standards of quality and competence are maintained.  The RDA requires that the Owner(s) of the Regional  Developer Business be directly involved in the day-to-day operations and utilize your best efforts to promote and  enhance the performance of the Regional Developer Business.  While in most cases an Owner(s) will seek  additional assistance for the labor-intensive portions of the business, we have built our reputation on Owner(s)  participation and believe it is crucial for continued success.    Any Manager you employ at the launching of your franchise operations must complete the initial management- training course required by the Company.  All subsequent Managers must be trained fully according to our  standards by either the Regional Developer or the Company.  However, the Company may charge a fee for this  additional training unless the Manager attends one of our regularly scheduled training sessions.       Each Owner(s) must personally guarantee all of the obligations of the Regional Developer Business under the  RDA.  (See Exhibit 4 to the RDA - Owner’s Guaranty and Assumption of Obligations)      At the Company’s request, you must obtain and deliver executed covenants of confidentiality and non-competition  from any Owner(s), any persons who have or may have access to training and other confidential information under  the System.  The covenants must be in a form satisfactory to us, and must provide that we are a third party  beneficiary of, and have the independent right to enforce the covenants.           36    ITEM 16    RESTRICTIONS ON WHAT THE FRANCHISEE MAY SELL      You must operate the Regional Developer Business in strict conformity with all prescribed methods, procedures,  policies, standards, and specifications of the System, as set forth in the Manual for RDs and in other writings by the  Company from time to time.  You must use your Regional Developer franchise sales office only for the operation  of the Regional Developer Business and may not operate any other business at or from such office without the  express prior written consent of the Company.      The Company requires you to offer and sell only those goods and services that the Company has approved.  The  Company maintains a written list of approved goods and services in its Manual for RDs, which the Company may  change from time to time.    You must offer all goods and services that the company designates as required for all franchises.  In addition, the  Company may require you to comply with other requirements (such as state or local licenses, training, marketing,  insurance) before the Company will allow you to offer certain optional services.    We reserve the right to designate additional required or optional services in the future and to withdraw any of our  previous approvals.  In that case, you must comply with the new requirements. There are no express limitations on  our right to designate additional or operational services; however, such services will be reasonably related to our  franchise system or model.      We do not currently have any restrictions or conditions that limit access to customers to whom you may sell goods  or services.             37    ITEM 17    RENEWAL, TERMINATION, TRANSFER  AND DISPUTE RESOLUTION    This table lists important provisions of the Regional Developer Agreement. You should read these provisions  in the agreements attached to this Disclosure Document.    THE FRANCHISE RELATIONSHIP  Provision  Section in Regional  Developer Agreement  Summary  a.   Length of the term of the  franchise  Section 4 10 years.  b.   Renewal or extension of  the term  Section 4  Your renewal rights permit you to remain a Regional Developer  after the initial term of your Regional Developer expires.  If you  wish to do so, and you satisfy the required pre-conditions to  renewal, we will offer you the right to 1 renewal term of 10 years.  c.   Requirements for you to  renew or extend  Section 4  You must: have substantially complied with RDA; given notice of  intent to renew; sign new RDA in our then current form which  may include terms and conditions materially different from those  in the original RDA, including (e.g., no further renewals, higher  royalty fees, etc.); sign general release of claims against us and  related parties (in a form satisfactory to us) (subject to state law);  pay the applicable renewal fee; cure any defaults; and pay all  amounts owed to us.  d.   Termination by you Section 13.1  You may terminate the RDA due to a material default by us on  our obligations and any grounds available at law.  e.   Termination by us  without cause  No provision Not applicable.  f.   Termination by us with  cause  Section 13.2 Only upon delivery of written notice to you.  g.   "Cause" defined –  curable defaults  Section 13.2(a)(i) and  (ii)  1) Except for certain specified types of defaults, you will have 60  days after our written notice of default with which to remedy any  default under the RDA; and 2) you shall have 6 months to remedy  you failure to comply with your Minimum Development  Obligation under the RDA.  

 

  38    THE FRANCHISE RELATIONSHIP  h.  "Cause" defined –  defaults which cannot be  cured  Section 13.2(b)  You 1) are adjudicated bankrupt or judicially determined to be  insolvent; 2) you or any of your Owners allows a judgment  against you or them in an amount of more than $50,000, 3) your  assets are seized, taken over or foreclosed; 4) a levy of execution  or attachment has been made upon the franchise rights granted by  this agreement and is not discharged within 11 days of your  receipt of notice of such levy; 5) any judgment is entered against  us or our subsidiaries or affiliated corporations arising out of or  relating to your operation of your business; 6) you abandon your  business; 7) you receive 3 or more written notices of default from  us within any period of 12 consecutive months concerning any  material breach by you whether or not such breaches shall have  been cured; 8) you or any of your Owners participates in in-term  competition; 9) you or any of your Owners, officers or directors is   convicted of or pleads guilty, or nolo contendere to a felony or  any other crime or offense that is  likely, in our reasonable  business judgment, to adversely affect our reputation, the  franchise system, the Marks or the goodwill of Marks; 10) you  purport, threaten or take any action to make an assignment or  transfer without our prior written consent; 11) you materially  misuse the Marks; 12) your unauthorized use, disclosure, or  duplication of the Confidential Information; or 13) you make any  material misrepresentation in connection with the application for  or performance under the RDA.  i.   Your obligations on  termination/non-renewal  Section 13.3  You must: 1) cease to assist in the sale of The Joint® franchises,  cease to use the system and Marks in any form, cease to hold  yourself out as an Regional Developer of us and not use Marks in  any business name; 2) pay all sums due to us; 3) submit such  reports as we require; 4) return to us or to our designee the  Manuals and any confidential or proprietary information; 5)  surrender to us such stationery, printed matter, signs and  advertising materials containing the Marks; 6) transfer, assign  disconnect and forward the business telephone number, fax  number, business Internet e-mail address and any other identifying  information, listings or commercial holding out for your business  to us or our designee; 7) transfer your “white” and “yellow” page  telephone listings, references and advertisements and all trade and  similar name registrations and business licenses and to cancel any  interest which you may have in them; and 8) promptly take any  action necessary to cancel any assumed name or equivalent  registration that contain any of the Marks.  j.   Assignment of contract  by us  Section 11.1 Fully transferable by us.  k.   “Transfer” by you -  defined  Section 11.2(b)  Transfer includes: any voluntary, involuntary, direct or indirect  assignment, sale, or gift of the franchise; transfer of ownership,  merger, exchange, issuance of additional ownership interests,  redemption of ownership interests, or sale of exchange of voting  interests in you (if you are a legal entity); transfer of interest in the  RDA, you, the franchise, or its assets because of divorce,  insolvency or dissolution, or operation of law; transfer because of  the death of you or an owner of you; or any pledge of the RDA or  ownership interest in you.  l.   Franchisor approval of  transfer by franchisee.  Section 11.2(b)  Any assignment or transfer without our approval is a breach of  this Agreement and has no effect.    39    THE FRANCHISE RELATIONSHIP  m.  Conditions for our  approval of transfer by you  Section 11.3 and 11.4  You must pay all amounts owed to us; new owner assumes your  obligations; new owner, its affiliates, and its owners do not have  any interest in or work for a competitive business; new owner  completes or agrees to complete initial training; new owners signs  our then-current RDA and ancillary agreements; new owner has  strictly complied with obligations to us and is not in default of  those obligations; you pay us a transfer fee; you sign a transfer  release (in a form satisfactory to us) (subject to state law); you do  not identify yourself as current or former Franchisee of ours, or  use any Mark.  You may transfer the franchise and its assets to a  newly formed legal entity principally controlled by you and your  principals if the new entity operates the franchise and complies  with the RDA, and you provide information about the transfer to  us and the entities owners.  n.   Our right of first refusal  to acquire your business  Section 11.6  We have 60 days to match any offer. If we exercise our right, you  must sign our standard form of asset purchase agreement (attached  to this Disclosure Document as Exhibit G-2).  o.   Our option to purchase  your business  Section 4.3  At any time after 5 full years from the effective date of the RDA,  we may purchase the business for a mutually agreed upon price. If  the parties cannot agree on the price, the price will be established  by a mutually agreed upon third-party valuation expert that the  parties hire to determine the purchase price. If you do not follow  the process or cooperate with the third party valuation expert in  good faith, the purchase price will be $29,000 for each open  franchise plus $7,250 for each unopened franchise for which a  franchise agreement has been signed.   p.   Your death or disability Section 11.5  Executor, administrator, or other representative must transfer  interest of Franchisee or owner within 9 months of your or an  owner’s death or disability.  All transfers are subject to provisions  in RDA regulating transfers.  q.   Non-competition  covenants during the term of  the franchise  Section 12.1  Neither you, your principals, nor any immediate family members  of you or them may perform services for or have any interest in  any competitive business.  r.   Non-competition  covenants after the franchise  is terminated or expires  Section 12.2  Neither you, your principals, nor any immediate family members  of you or them may perform services for or have any interest in  any competitive business within the Development Area, the  Development Area of any other Regional Developer, or within 25  miles of any Location Franchise, for 18 months.  s.   Modification of the  agreement  Section 15.11  No modifications unless you and we both sign; we may amend  Manual for RDs at any time.  t.   Integration/merger clause Section 15.11  The RDA supersedes all prior agreements, representations, and  promises.  However, nothing in the RDA will have the effect of  modifying or limiting the representations made in this Disclosure  Document or any of its attachments or addenda.  u.   Dispute resolution by  arbitration or mediation  Section 14  Except for certain claims, you and we must mediate all disputes in  Maricopa County, Arizona (subject to state law).  v.   Choice of forum Section 15.8 Maricopa County, Arizona (subject to state law).  w.   Choice of law Section 15.7  Arizona law governs, except for matters regulated by the United  States Trademark Act (subject to state law).           40    ITEM 18    PUBLIC FIGURES      We do not use any public figure to promote the Regional Developer franchise.          41    ITEM 19    FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE REPRESENTATIONS      The FTC’s Franchise Rule permits a franchisor to provide information about the actual or potential financial  performance of its franchised and/or franchisor-owned outlets, if there is a reasonable basis for the information, and  if the information is included in the Disclosure Document.  Financial performance information that differs from that  included in Item 19 may be given only if: (1) a franchisor provides the actual records of an existing outlet you are  considering buying; or (2) a franchisor supplements the information provided in this Item 19, for example by  providing information about possible performance at a particular location or under particular circumstances.    We do not make any representations about a franchisee’s future financial performance or the past financial  performance of company-owned or franchised outlets. We also do not authorize our employees or representatives to  make such representations either orally or in writing. If you are purchasing an existing outlet, however, we may  provide you with the actual records of that outlet. If you receive any other financial performance information or  projections of your future income, you should report it to our management by contacting Eric Simon, VP of  Franchise Sales and Development, The Joint Corp., 16767 N. Perimeter Dr., Suite 110, Scottsdale, AZ 85260,  telephone (480) 245-5960, the Federal Trade Commission, and any appropriate state regulatory agencies.       

 

  42    ITEM 20    OUTLETS AND REGIONAL DEVELOPER (“RD”) INFORMATION     (Regional Developer Businesses*)     TABLE 1 - SYSTEM-WIDE OUTLET SUMMARY FOR YEARS 2018 TO 2020  Outlet Type Year  Outlets at the  Start of the Year  Outlets at the End  of the Year  Net Change  Franchised  2018 20 23 +3  2019 23 23 0  2020 23 24 +1  Company-Owned  2018 0 1 +1  2019 1 2 +1  2020 2 3 +1  Total Outlets  2018 20 24 +4  2019 24 25 +1  2020 25 27 +2      * Note: We ceased offering Regional Developer Businesses from February 2011 until approximately December  2013, and restarted offering them in November 2016.      TABLE 2 - TRANSFERS OF OUTLETS FROM FRANCHISEES TO NEW OWNERS (OTHER THAN THE FRANCHISOR)   FOR YEARS 2018 TO 2020  State(s) Year Number of Transfers  Pennsylvania - Philadelphia  2018 0  2019 1  2020 0  Total  2018 0  2019 1  2020 0      TABLE 3 - STATUS OF FRANCHISED OUTLETS FOR YEARS 2018 TO 2020  State Year  Outlets  at Start  of Year  Outlets  Opened  Termina- tions  Non- Renewals  Reacquired  by  Franchisor  Ceased  Operations  – Other  Reasons  Outlets at End  of Year  Alabama,  Louisiana,  Mississippi  2018 0 1 0 0 0 0 1  2019 1 0 0 0 0 0 1  2020 1 0 0 0 0 0 1  California –  Northern (Certain  Counties)  2018 1 1 0 0 0 0 2  2019 2 0 0 0 0 0 2  2020 2 0 0 0 0 0 2  Colorado – Denver 2018 1 0 0 0 0 0 1    43    TABLE 3 - STATUS OF FRANCHISED OUTLETS FOR YEARS 2018 TO 2020  State Year  Outlets  at Start  of Year  Outlets  Opened  Termina- tions  Non- Renewals  Reacquired  by  Franchisor  Ceased  Operations  – Other  Reasons  Outlets at End  of Year  2019 1 0 0 0 0 0 1  2020 1 0 0 0 0 0 1  Florida - Tampa,  Orlando and South  Florida  2018 1 1 0 0 0 0 2  2019 2 0 0 0 0 0 2  2020 2 0 0 0 0 0 2  Georgia - Atlanta  2018 1 0 0 0 0 0 1  2019 1 0 0 0 0 0 1  2020 1 0 0 0 0 0 1  Georgia –  Savannah;  S. Carolina –  Augusta   2018 1 0 0 0 0 0 1  2019 1 0 0 0 1 0 0  2020 0 0 0 0 0 0 0  Illinois – Chicago  2018 1 0 0 0 0 0 1  2019 1 0 0 0 0 0 1  2020 1 0 0 0 0 0 1  Iowa, Nebraska,  South Dakota  2018 0 0 0 0 0 0 0  2019 0 0 0 0 0 0 0  2020 0 1 0 0 0 0 1  Kentucky  2018 0 1 0 0 0 0 1  2019 1 0 0 0 0 0 1  2020 1 0 0 0 0 0 1  Maryland and D.C.  2018 1 0 0 0 0 0 1  2019 1 0 0 0 0 0 1  2020 1 0 0 0 0 0 1  Minnesota  2018 1 0 0 0 0 0 1  2019 1 0 0 0 0 0 1  2020 1 0 0 0 0 0 1  Missouri and  Southern Illinois  (Certain Counties  in Each State)  2018 1 0 0 0 0 0 1  2019 1 0 0 0 0 0 1  2020 1 0 0 0 0 0 1  Nevada - Las  Vegas  2018 1 0 0 0 1 0 0  2019 0 0 0 0 0 0 0  2020 0 0 0 0 0 0 0  Nevada – Reno and  Utah (Certain  Counties in Each  State)  2018 1 0 0 0 0 0 1  2019 1 0 0 0 0 0 1  2020 1 0 0 0 0 0 1  Northern New  Jersey  2018 1 0 0 0 0 0 1  2019 1 0 0 0 0 0 1  2020 1 0 0 0 0 0 1    44    TABLE 3 - STATUS OF FRANCHISED OUTLETS FOR YEARS 2018 TO 2020  State Year  Outlets  at Start  of Year  Outlets  Opened  Termina- tions  Non- Renewals  Reacquired  by  Franchisor  Ceased  Operations  – Other  Reasons  Outlets at End  of Year  North Carolina  2018 1 0 0 0 0 0 1  2019 1 0 0 0 0 0 1  2020 1 0 0 0 1 0 1  Ohio  2018 1 0 0 0 0 0 1  2019 1 0 0 0 0 0 1  2020 1 0 0 0 0 0 1  Oregon and  Washington  (Certain Counties  in Each State)  2018 1 0 0 0 0 0 1  2019 1 0 0 0 0 0 1  2020 1 0 0 0 0 0 1  Philadelphia  2018 1 0 0 0 0 0 1  2019 1 0 0 0 0 0 1  2020 1 0 0 0 0 0 1  Tennessee  2018 1 0 0 0 0 0 1  2019 1 0 0 0 0 0 1  2020 1 0 0 0 0 0 1  Texas – Austin,  Dallas, Houston,  and San Antonio  2018 1 0 0 0 0 0 1  2019 1 0 0 0 0 0 1  2020 1 0 0 0 0 0 1  Texas, Oklahoma,  Arkansas  2018 1 0 0 0 0 0 1  2019 1 0 0 0 0 0 1  2020 1 0 0 0 0 0 1  Virginia, West  Virginia,  Pittsburgh  2018 0 0 0 0 0 0 0  2019 0 1 0 0 0 0 1  2020 1 0 0 0 0 0 1  Washington  2018 1 0 0 0 0 0 1  2019 1 0 0 0 0 0 1  2020 1 0 0 0 0 0 1  Wisconsin (certain  counties), Central  Illinois  2018 0 0 0 0 0 0 0  2019 0 0 0 0 0 0 0  2020 0 1 0 0 0 0 1  Total  2018 20 4 0 0 1 0 23  2019 23 1 0 0 1 0 23  2020 23 2 0 0 1 0 24                  45    TABLE 4 - STATUS OF COMPANY-OWNED OUTLETS FOR YEARS 2018 TO 2020  State Year  Outlets at  Start of  Year  Outlets  Opened  Outlets  Reacquired  From  Franchisees  Outlets  Closed  Outlets Sold  to  Franchisees  Outlets at  End of Year  Georgia –  Savannah;  S. Carolina –  Augusta    2018 0 0 0 0 0 0  2019 0 0 1 0 0 1  2020 1 0 0 0 0 1  Nevada  2018 0 0 1 0 0 1  2019 1 0 0 0 0 1  2020 1 0 0 0 0 1  North Carolina  2018 0 0 0 0 0 0  2019 0 0 0 0 0 0  2020 0 0 1 0 0 1  Total  2018 0 0 1 0 0 1  2019 1 0 1 0 0 2  2020 2 0 1 0 0 3      TABLE 5 - PROJECTED OPENINGS AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2020  State  Regional Developer  Agreements Signed But  Outlets Not Opened  Projected New Regional  Developer Franchised  Outlets in Next Fiscal Year  Projected New Company- Owned Outlets in the Next  Fiscal Year  New York 0 1 0  Massachusetts 0 1 0  Michigan 0 1 0  New Jersey  (Southern)  0 1 0  Total 0 4 0    Exhibit E lists the names of all of our operating Regional Developer franchisees and their addresses and telephone  numbers as of December 31, 2020.  Exhibit E lists the Regional Developer franchisees who have signed Regional  Developer Agreements for development areas which were not yet operational as of December 31, 2020, and also  lists the name, city and state, and business telephone number (or, if unknown, the last known home telephone  number) of every Regional Developer franchisee who had an outlet terminated, cancelled, not renewed, or  otherwise voluntarily or involuntarily ceased to do business under a Regional Developer during the most recently  completed fiscal year, or who has not communicated with us within 10 weeks of the issuance date of this disclosure  document.  If you buy this franchise, your contact information may be disclosed to other buyers when you leave the  franchise system.    In some instances, current and former Regional Developer franchisees sign provisions restricting their ability to  speak openly about their experience with The Joint Corp. You may wish to speak with current and former Regional  Developer franchisees, but be aware that not all of those Regional Developer franchisees will be able to  communicate with you.    There are no (i) trademark-specific franchisee organizations associated with the Regional Developer franchise  system being offered that we have created, sponsored or endorsed or (ii) independent Regional Developer  franchisee organizations that have asked to be included in this Disclosure Document.    

 

  46      ITEM 21    FINANCIAL STATEMENTS      Attached to this Disclosure Document as Exhibit D are: 1) our consolidated audited financial statements for the  fiscal years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, which have been taken from Item 8 of our 10-K Annual Report for  2020; 2) our consolidated audited financial statements for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018,  which have been taken from Item 8 of our 10-K Annual Report for 2019.     .         47    ITEM 22    CONTRACTS    The following agreements are attached to this Disclosure Document:    Exhibit B  Regional Developer Agreement (which includes the following exhibits)  Exhibit G – 1 Confidentiality/Non-Disclosure Agreement  Exhibit G – 2 Form of Asset Purchase Agreement   Exhibit G – 3 Magnify License Agreement    The following exhibits and agreements are attached to this Regional Developer Agreement:    Exhibit 1                 Development Area  Exhibit 2                 Minimum Development Obligations  Exhibit 3                 Ownership Structure  Exhibit 4                 Owner's Guaranty and Assumption of Obligations  Exhibit 5                 State-Specific Addenda  Exhibit 6                 Regional Developer Questionnaire             48    ITEM 23    RECEIPTS      Exhibit I includes Receipts acknowledging that you received this Disclosure Document. Please return one Receipt  to us and retain the other for your records. If you are missing these Receipts, please contact us at this address or  telephone number:     The Joint Corp.  16767 N. Perimeter Dr., Suite 110  Scottsdale, Arizona 85260  Telephone (480) 245-5960  www.thejoint.com            EXHIBIT A    STATE ADMINISTRATORS/AGENTS FOR SERVICE OF PROCESS            

 

      STATE ADMINISTRATORS/AGENTS FOR SERVICE OF PROCESS    Following is information about our agents for service of process, as well as state agencies and administrators whom  you may wish to contact with questions about The Joint Corp.      Our agent for service of process in the State of Delaware is:      THE CORPORATION TRUST COMPANY   CORPORATION TRUST CENTER, 1209 ORANGE STREET   WILMINGTON, DE 19801    We intend to register the franchises described in this Disclosure Document in some or all of the following  states in accordance with applicable state law.  If and when we pursue franchise registration (or otherwise comply  with the franchise investment laws) in these states, we will designate the designated state offices or officials as our  agents for service of process in those states:    State State Agency Agent for Service of Process  CALIFORNIA Commissioner of Corporations  Department of Financial Protection  & Innovation  Suite 750  320 West 4th Street  Los Angeles, CA 90013  (213) 576-7505  California Commissioner of  Corporations  Department of Financial Protection &  Innovation  Suite 750  320 West 4th Street  Los Angeles, CA  90013    HAWAII Business Registration Division  Department of Commerce and  Consumer Affairs  335 Merchant Street, Room 203  Honolulu, HI 96812  (808) 586-2727  Commissioner of Securities of the  Department of Commerce and  Consumer Affairs   335 Merchant Street, Room 203   Honolulu, HI 96812     ILLINOIS Office of Attorney General  Franchise Division  500 South Second Street  Springfield, IL 62706  (217) 782-4465  Illinois Attorney General   Franchise Division  500 South Second Street  Springfield, IL  62706  INDIANA Indiana Secretary of State Securities  Division  Room E-1 11  302 West Washington Street  Indianapolis, IN 46204  (317) 232-6681  Indiana Secretary of State   State Securities Division  Room E-1 11  302 West Washington Street  Indianapolis, IN 46204     MARYLAND Office of the Attorney General  Division of Securities  200 St. Paul Place  Baltimore, MD 21202-2020  (410) 576-6360  Maryland Securities Commissioner   200 St. Paul Place   Baltimore, MD 21202-2020     MICHIGAN Michigan Department of Attorney  General Consumer Protection Div.  Antitrust & Franchise Unit  670 Law Building  Lansing, MI 48913  (517) 373-7117  Michigan Department of Commerce,  Corporations and Securities Bureau   Antitrust & Franchise Unit  670 Law Building  Lansing, MI  48913          MINNESOTA Minnesota Department of  Commerce   85 7th Place East, Suite 500  St. Paul, MN 55101-2198  (651) 296-4026  Minnesota Commissioner of Commerce   85 7th Place East  Suite 500  St. Paul, MN  55101-2198   NEW YORK NYS Department of Law  Investor Protection Bureau  28 Liberty St. 21st Fl.  New York, NY 10005  212-416-8222    Secretary of State   State of New York   99 Washington Avenue  Albany, New York 12231  NORTH  DAKOTA  Office of Securities Commissioner  Fifth Floor  600 East Boulevard  Bismarck, ND 58505-0510   (701) 328-4712  North Dakota Securities Commissioner   Fifth Floor  600 East Boulevard  Bismarck, ND  58505-0510  RHODE  ISLAND  Department of Business Regulation  Division of Securities  1511 Pontiac Avenue  Cranston, RI 02920  (401) 462-9527  Director of Rhode Island Department of  Business Regulation Floor   Division of Securities  1511 Pontiac Avenue  Cranston, RI 02920   SOUTH  DAKOTA  Department of Labor and  Regulation  Division of Insurance Securities  Regulation  124 South Euclid Suite 104  Pierre, SD 57501  (605) 773-3563  Department of Labor and Regulation  Division of Insurance Securities  Regulation  124 South Euclid Suite 104  Pierre, SD 57501  (605) 773-3563  VIRGINIA State Corporation Commission   Division of Securities and Retail  Franchising  1300 East Main Street, 9th Floor  Richmond, VA 23219  (804) 371-9051    Clerk of State Corporation Commission  1300 East Main Street, 1st Floor  Richmond, VA 23219   and United Corporate Services, Inc.   700 East Main Street, Suite 1700   Richmond, VA 23218  WASHINGTON Department of Financial Institutions  Securities Division  150 Israel Road  Tumwater, Washington 98501  (360) 902-8760  Director of Washington Financial  Institutions   Securities Division  150 Israel Road  Tumwater, Washington 98501  (360) 902-8760    WISCONSIN Wisconsin Securities Commissioner  Securities and Franchise  Registration  345 W. Washington Avenue  Madison, WI 53703  (608) 266-8559  Commissioner of Securities of  Wisconsin   Securities and Franchise Registration  345 W. Washington Avenue  Madison, WI  53703  (608) 266-8559                EXHIBIT B    REGIONAL DEVELOPER AGREEMENT              THE JOINT CORP.    REGIONAL DEVELOPER AGREEMENT                                                                                                                             Date of Agreement      

 

      TABLE OF CONTENTS    SECTION PAGE    1. GRANT OF RIGHTS.........................................................................................1    2. REGIONAL DEVELOPER’S DEVELOPMENT OBLIGATION .....................................1  2.1 Minimum Development Obligations and Development Schedule ......................1  2.2 Regional Developer Sales Office and Opening  ...........................................4    3. TERRITORIAL RIGHTS AND LIMITATIONS................................................................4  3.1 Territorial Rights.................................................................................4  3.2 Rights Maintained by Company...............................................................4    4. TERM AND RENEWAL........................................................................................5  4.1 Initial Term and Renewal......................................................................5  4.2 Conditions to Renew..........................................................................5    5. ADDITIONAL OBLIGATIONS OF COMPANY AND REGIONAL DEVELOPER............6  5.1 Regional Developer Training................................................................6  5.2 Regional Developer Manual..................................................................6  5.3 General Guidance and Site Assistance/Review ............................................6  5.4 Franchise Registration and Disclosure.....................................................7  5.5 Investigation and Qualification of Prospective Franchisees............................8  5.6 Training and Support.........................................................................9  5.7 Inspection of Franchises and Operations...................................................10  5.8 Marketing and Promotion....................................................................10  5.9 Operation of Location Franchise ...........................................................10  5.10 Report of Material Franchisee Violations.................................................10    6. OPERATING STANDARDS...........................................................................11  6.1 Standard of Service...........................................................................11  6.2 Compliance with Laws and Good Business Practices...................................11  6.3 Accuracy of Information.....................................................................11  6.4 Notification of Litigation.....................................................................11  6.5 Insurance.......................................................................................12  6.6 Proof of Insurance Coverage................................................................12  6.7 Advertising Requirement and Cooperatives...............................................12  6.8 Approval of Advertising......................................................................13  6.9 Websites........................................................................................13  6.10 Accounting, Bookkeeping and Records...................................................13  6.11 Reports and Annual Business Plan.........................................................13  6.12 Computer Systems............................................................................14  6.13 Management of Business.....................................................................14    7. DEVELOPMENT FEE; SHARING OF COSTS IN THE DEVELOPMENT AREA ......................14    8. PAYMENTS TO REGIONAL DEVELOPER..........................................................14  8.1 Initial Fee Commission and Conditions of Payment......................................14  8.2 Commissions on Royalty Fees...............................................................14  8.3 Commissions After Termination............................................................15  8.4 Application of Payments....................................................................15  8.5 Setoffs and Refunds.........................................................................15          9. MARKS.....................................................................................................15  9.1 Ownership and Goodwill of Marks.......................................................15  9.2 Limitations on Regional Developer’s  Use of Marks...................................15  9.3 Notification of Infringements and Claims................................................15  9.4 Discontinuance of Use of Marks..........................................................16  9.5 Indemnification For Use of Marks........................................................16    10. CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION...................................................................16    11. ASSIGNABILITY........................................................................................17  11.1 Assignability by Company..................................................................17  11.2 Assignments by Regional Developer......................................................17  11.3 Conditions for Approval of Assignment or Transfer....................................18  11.4 Assignment to Entity Principally Controlled By You...................................19  11.5 Death or Disability...........................................................................20  11.6 Company’s Right of First Refusal.........................................................20  11.7 Ownership Structure.........................................................................21    12. NON-COMPETITION....................................................................................21  12.1 In Term .........................................................................................21  12.2 Post-Term.......................................................................................22    13. TERMINATION..........................................................................................22  13.1 Termination by You.........................................................................22  13.2 Termination by Company..................................................................22  13.3 Rights and Obligations Upon Termination or Expiration..............................24  13.4 Reserved.......................................................................................25  13.5 General Provisions...........................................................................25    14. 27  14.1 Mediation.....................................................................................25  14.2 Jurisdiction and Forum Selecion...........................................................25    15. GENERAL CONDITIONS AND PROVISIONS.....................................................26  15.1 Relationship of Regional Developer to Company .......................... .............26  15.2 Indemnification...............................................................................26  15.3 Waiver and Delay............................................................................26  15.4 Survival of Covenants.......................................................................27  15.5 Successors and Assigns.......................................................................27  15.6 Joint and Several Liability...................................................................27  15.7 Governing Law...............................................................................27  15.8 Consent to Jurisdiction......................................................................27  15.9 Waiver of Punitive Damages and Jury Trial..............................................27  15.10 Limitation of Claims.........................................................................27  15.11 Entire Agreement............................................................................27  15.12 Title for Convenience.......................................................................28  15.13 Gender.........................................................................................28  15.14 Severability...................................................................................28  15.15 Fees and Expenses.............................................................................28  15.16 Notices..........................................................................................28  15.17 Time of Essence................................................................................29  15.18 Lien and Security Interest....................................................................29    16. SUBMISSION OF AGREEMENT........................................................................29          17. ACKNOWLEDGMENTS..................................................................................29    EXHIBIT 1                 DEVELOPMENT AREA  EXHIBIT 2                 MINIMUM DEVELOPMENT OBLIGATIONS  EXHIBIT 3                 OWNERSHIP STRUCTURE  EXHIBIT 4                 OWNER'S GUARANTY AND ASSUMPTION OF OBLIGATIONS  EXHIBIT 5                 STATE-SPECIFIC ADDENDA  EXHIBIT 6                 REGIONAL DEVELOPER QUESTIONNAIRE            1    THE JOINT CORP.  REGIONAL DEVELOPER AGREEMENT    THIS REGIONAL DEVELOPER AGREEMENT (the “Agreement”) is made and entered into this    day of   , 202_______, (the “Effective Date”), by and between THE JOINT CORP., a Delaware  corporation (“Company”, “we”, “us” or “our”), and ______________________________________  corporation/limited liability company/partnership (Circle One) (“Regional Developer”), with reference to the  following facts:    A. We and our affiliates have designed and developed valuable and proprietary formats and systems  for the development and operation of businesses operating single unit franchises at a specific  location (“Location Franchise(s)” or “Franchise(s)”).  Location Franchises offer affordable,  convenient and accessible chiropractic care to the general public through licensed chiropractors.      B. We have developed and use, promote and license certain trademarks, service marks and other  commercial symbols in operating our Location Franchises, including “The Joint®”, “The Joint®  Chiropractic”, “The Joint...The chiropractic place®”, and we may create, use and license other  trademarks, service marks and commercial symbols for use in operating our franchises  (collectively, the “Marks”).    C. We offer prospects persons or entities the right to own and operate a Location Franchise offering  the products and services we authorize (and only the products and services we authorize) and using  our business formats, methods, systems, procedures, signs, designs and layouts, standards,  specifications and Marks, all of which we may improve, further develop and otherwise modify  from time to time (collectively, the “System”).    D. We seek a Regional Developer who will open and operate, or solicit and assist the owners of  Location Franchises (referred to as a “Franchisee(s)”) in opening and operating numerous Location  Franchises within a specified geographic area described in Exhibit 1 (the “Development Area”).    E. Regional Developer desires to establish a business (a “Regional Developer Business”) under which  it will solicit, qualify, train and assist Franchisees to build and operate Location Franchises within  the Development Area, and we desire to grant to Regional Developer the right to operate the  Regional Developer Business in accordance with the terms and upon the conditions contained in  this Agreement.      WHEREFORE, IT IS AGREED    1. GRANT OF RIGHTS.  Subject to the terms of this Agreement, we hereby grant to Regional Developer, and Regional Developer  hereby accepts, the rights during the Term to solicit, screen, qualify for final approval by us, train and assist  Franchisees to open and operate, Location Franchises in the Development Area.    2. REGIONAL DEVELOPER’S DEVELOPMENT OBLIGATION.    2.1 Minimum Development Obligation and Development Schedule.  Regional Developer shall solicit, screen, qualify, train and assist Franchisees to construct, equip, open and  operate, within the Development Area, the total number of Location Franchises set forth in Exhibit 2 (the  “Minimum Development Obligation”), in the manner and within each of the time periods specified therein (the  “Development Schedule”).  You must do so in accordance with the following:  

 

  2      (a) You shall market the Location Franchises within the Development Area in accordance with  all applicable laws (including without limitation all franchise laws pursuant to any Federal Trade Commission  regulation and any registration states’ laws).  You may not use any advertising material which has not been either  provided by us or approved by us in writing prior to its publication.  Neither you nor any of your employees or  representatives shall solicit prospective Franchisees until we have registered our current Franchise Disclosure  Document (“FDD”) in applicable jurisdictions and have provided you with the requisite documents or at any time  when we notify you that its registration is not then in effect or its documents are not then in compliance with  applicable laws.  If your activities pursuant to this Agreement require the preparation, amendment, registration, or  filing of information or any disclosure or other documents, all requisite franchise disclosure documents, ancillary  documents, and registration applications shall be prepared and filed by us or our designee, and registration secured,  before you may solicit prospective Franchisees.  At your cost, you shall:  (1) promptly provide all information we  reasonably require to prepare all requisite disclosure documents and ancillary documents for the offering of  franchises throughout your Development Area; and (2) execute all documents we require for the purpose of  registering us and you to offer franchises throughout the Development Area.  You agree to review all information  pertaining to you prepared to comply with legal requirements for selling franchises in the Development and verify  its accuracy if we so request.  You acknowledge that we and our affiliates and designees shall not be liable to you  for any errors, omissions, or delays which occur in the preparation of such materials.  You shall be responsible for  advertising, recruiting, screening, and interviewing prospective Franchisees within the Development Area.  You  shall provide prospective Franchisees with written information regarding a Location Franchise approved by us or  communicate information regarding Location Franchises via the telephone, face-to-face meetings, or visits with  other Location Franchises within the Development Area.  You shall submit each qualified prospective Franchisee to  us for approval.  You further agree that all prospective Franchisees submitted to us by you shall be individuals who  are of good character, have adequate financial resources, and meet our criteria for Franchisees.  (b) Throughout the Term, you shall use your commercially-reasonable efforts to develop the  Development Area.  (c) Subject to the possible suspension of the Minimum Development Obligation as set forth in  Section 2.1(g)(iii) of this Agreement, you shall be responsible for satisfying the Minimum Development Obligation  in connection with the Development Schedule that is set forth in Exhibit 2.     For purposes of this Agreement, “Minimum Development Obligation” shall mean:  your requirements to achieve that number of Sales by the deadlines set forth in the  Development Schedule (Exhibit 2) both with regard to (1) the minimum number of  completed Sales that must be achieved each year of this Agreement, by the annual  anniversary dates measured from the Effective Date of this Agreement; and (2) the  cumulative minimum number of Location Franchises that must be opened and operating  within your Development Area by the annual anniversary dates measured from the Effective  Date of this Agreement.  “Cumulative” means the net sum of (a) Franchisees in your  Development Area that became Sales in a previous year, (b) plus the Sales in your  Development Area that took place in the applicable current year, (c) minus the number of  Franchisees in your Development Area that were closed (due to non renewal of Franchise  Agreement, abandonment, etc.) in the applicable current year.  The number of Sales and  deadlines shall be negotiated in good faith and mutually agreed upon by the parties.    For purposes of this Agreement, “Sale” or Sales” means: that moment when: (1) the  Initial Franchise Fee has been collected, and (2) a copy of the Franchise Agreement has been  executed. Only newly constructed Location Franchises qualify as a completed Sale.    (d) For each proposed Franchisee, you shall submit to us a report which shall include a  completed written application by such proposed Franchisee together with such additional information and  comments, as specified by us and on forms provided by us.    3    (e) We may approve or disapprove each Franchisee candidate proposed by you, which such  approval shall not be unreasonably withheld.  Our good faith disapproval of any such candidate shall not excuse  you from failing to meet the Minimum Development Obligation.  (f) If you are not in compliance with the Minimum Development Obligation, it is understood  and agreed that we retain the right (either directly or through our designees) but not the obligation, throughout the  Term, to market, negotiate,  and sell franchises for Franchisees within the Development Area.  (g) Relief from sales responsibilities:  (i) We may from time to time, as mutually agreed upon by the parties, relieve you  from the duty to sell Location Franchises in the Development Area.  If we do so, we (or our designee) will exercise  commercially-reasonable efforts to sell such Location Franchises within the Development Area.  However, neither  we nor our designees make any promise or warranty that it will sell any number of Location Franchises within the  Development Area during this relief period, including any number lesser or greater than the Minimum  Development Obligation.  (ii) With regard to the “commercially-reasonable efforts “obligation in  Section 2.1(g)(i) above, it is understood that we (either directly or through our designee) will be responsible for all  sales duties (prospective Franchisee calls, presentations, follow-up and closings), and your franchise sales duties  will be limited to reasonable support of, and cooperation with, us and (as applicable) our designees.  (iii) For so long as we relieve you of the franchise sales responsibilities in your  Development Area and you perform the required support and cooperation duties, you shall be fully relieved of the  Minimum Development Obligation. However, if we later decide to relinquish and re-delegate back to you such  franchise sales responsibilities in your Development Area, then you will be required, for the remainder of the Term,  to satisfy the remainder of the Minimum Development Obligation.  We will proportionately reduce the non- achieved portion of the Minimum Development Obligation for the time period that we handled sales from the total  of your Minimum Development Obligation.  (iv) During any relief period, we shall pay to you a reduced commission of 20% of the  Initial Franchise Fee we collect.     (h) If the opening of any Location Franchise within the Development Area is delayed on  account of an act of God, war, riot, natural disaster or fire which is beyond your reasonable control or if we are  unable to provide you a registered Franchise Disclosure Document (as applicable, a “Delaying Event”), then the  date by which you must have the required number of Location Franchises open and operating will be extended for  the time which we consider, in our business judgment following consultation with you, necessary to remedy the  effects of the Delaying Event.  If a Location Franchise within the Development Area is destroyed or damaged such  that the Location Franchise cannot continue to operate, such destroyed or damaged Location Franchise shall  continue to count toward satisfaction of the Minimum Development Obligation (during the period until such  Location Franchise reopens at the same location or at a substitute location acceptable to us) but only if you or such  Franchisee, as applicable, shall repair and restore such Location Franchise to our Then-Current standards and  specifications within one hundred and twenty (120) days after the occurrence of such destruction or damage,  subject to a further extension of time as a result of any Delaying Events.  (i) You shall not cause or allow any proposed Franchisee or any other person or entity to  operate or acquire any Location Franchise in the Development Area, except pursuant to a Franchise Agreement  executed in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.  (j) Each Location Franchise opened within the Development Area, whether owned by you or  by a Franchisee procured by you, shall be the subject of a separate Franchise Agreement between the Franchisee  and us on our then-current form at the time executed.  (k) Promptly following the Effective Date, and each year thereafter, you shall develop an    4    annual business plan in the form designated by us which among other items shall specify an amount, acceptable to  us, that you shall spend during the ensuing year on franchise recruitment advertising and franchise recruitment  marketing costs which shall in no event be less than $750 per month or $9,000 per year per Development Area  owned by you.  You shall submit to us on quarterly basis copies of receipts confirming advertising and franchise  recruitment marketing expenditures for the previous quarter.  If you fail to do so within ten (10) business days after  receipt of notice from us, we shall have the right to deduct the unspent amount from your payments for commission  on Royalty Fees and to spend such funds on your behalf for franchise solicitation advertising, provided that we  have notified you of such failure and provide you thirty (30) days to cure.  As provided in Section 6.7 below, we  reserve the right at any time to increase the amount of franchise recruitment advertising and franchise recruitment  marketing costs that you must reasonably  expend, but we shall not increase such costs greater than twenty-five  percent (25%) per year.  We may require you to submit to corporate your yearly lead generation  marketing plan for review and approval.  (l) You shall not:  (i) make any representation or promise to any prospective Franchisee which  is inconsistent with or in addition to the representations or promises expressly authorized by us, or made in any  applicable FDD provided to prospective Franchisees, or which is not in compliance with any applicable law;  (ii) attempt or purport to bind us (or any affiliate of us) to any obligation or duty to any person, or entity, including  any prospective Franchisee; (iii) attempt or purport to modify or amend any Franchise Agreement; or (iv) except as  expressly permitted hereunder and by applicable law and with full disclosure thereof to us and with our prior  written approval, receive, directly or indirectly, any fee or other consideration from any person, including without  limitation, prospective or existing Franchisees or vendors to Location Franchises.  (m) You shall assist Franchisees with their respective Grand Opening obligations, including  planning, execution and the collection of any marketing or pre-opening information.  2.2 Regional Developer Sales Office and Opening.  Regional Developer shall establish and operate a  franchise sales office (“Regional Developer Sales Office” or “Sales Office”) within the Development Area.  We  will not approve or disapprove the location of the Sales Office. You must open your Regional Developer Business  within 45 days after you receive your initial training from us, or 90 days after signing your Regional Developer  Agreement, whichever occurs first.       3. TERRITORIAL RIGHTS AND LIMITATIONS.  3.1 Territorial Rights.  Except as provided in Section 3.2, as long as this Agreement is in effect, and  you are in compliance with this Agreement, and meet the Minimum Development Obligation set forth in this  Agreement, then neither we nor our affiliates will not operate, establish or grant in your Development Area another  Regional Developer Business offering Location Franchises, or any Location Franchises not required to be  developed under this Agreement.     3.2 Rights Maintained by Company.  We (and any affiliates that we might have from time to time)  shall at all times have the right to engage in any activities we deem appropriate that are not expressly prohibited by  this Agreement, whenever and wherever we desire, including, but not limited to:    (a) We expressly reserve the right to establish and operate, or grant others the right to establish  and operate, Clinics that are located within Non-Traditional Sites that are located anywhere, including within your  Development Area. A “Non-Traditional Site” means any site or channel that generates customer traffic flow that is  independent from the general customer traffic flow of the surrounding area, including on or within the confines or  premises of military bases, shopping malls or centers, stadiums, major industrial or office complexes, parking lots  or structures, mobile vehicles, airports, hotels, resorts, school campuses, train stations, travel plazas, toll roads,  casinos, hospitals, theme parks, and sports or entertainment venues. A “Non-Traditional Site” also includes the  establishment and operation of a Clinic within a  pre-existing business that does not operate under the Marks. For  example, Clinics established within an urgent care center, retail store, or medical spa would qualify as Non-   5    Traditional Sites.    (b) We expressly reserve the right to grant Location Franchises and/or Regional Developer  Business rights to others as follows:  (i) in our sole and absolute discretion with regard to the Marks, outside of  your Development Area, (ii) in our sole and absolute discretion with regard to products or services unrelated to the  Marks, inside of your Development Area.     (c) We expressly reserve the engage in an Acquisition, including acquisitions that involve  competitive businesses located within your Development Area. An “Acquisition” means either (i) a competitive or  non-competitive company, franchise system, network or chain directly or indirectly acquiring us, whether in whole  or in part, including by asset or stock purchase, change of control, merger, affiliation or otherwise or (ii) us directly  or indirectly acquiring another competitive or non-competitive company, franchise system, network or chain,  whether in whole or in part, including by asset or stock purchase, change of control, merger, affiliation or  otherwise.  If we convert such business(es) to operate under the Marks, then for so long as such business(es)  operate under the Marks within your Development Area: (i) you must provide support services to such business(es)  and you will receive from us fifty percent (50%) of any royalties that we actually collect from such converted  business(es); and (ii) any such converted business(es) shall count toward your Minimum Development Obligation.    4. TERM AND RENEWAL.  4.1 Initial Term and Renewals.  The term of this Agreement (the “Term”) shall be for a period of ten  (10) years commencing on the Effective Date, unless sooner terminated in accordance with the provisions of  Section 13.  Regional Developer shall have the right to extend the Term for an additional period of ten (10) years  on the conditions set forth in Section 4.2.       4.2 Conditions to Renew.  As conditions to renew, you must:    a. Provide us with written notice (“Renewal Notice”) of your intent to renew the Rights  granted pursuant to this Agreement not less than twelve (12) months, nor more than eighteen (18) months prior to  the end of the Term.  b. Pay a Renewal Fee equal to the greater of: a) 10% of the Royalties we actually receive and  pay to you during the 12 consecutive months immediately preceding the date of the Renewal Notice; or b) 25% of  the original Development Fee set forth in Section 7.  c. Execute the Then Current form of Regional Developer Agreement, except the fee amounts  and the fee splits stated within this Agreement will not change to your detriment (e.g. royalty percentage), and all  other documents or instruments required by us in connection therewith, including a new mutually agreed upon  Development Schedule based on then existing population, demographics and other market conditions.   Notwithstanding that such the current form of the renewal Regional Developer Agreement may contain terms and  conditions different from those contained in this Agreement.  d. Be in material compliance with this Agreement (including strict compliance with this  Agreement’s Minimum Development Obligation), the requirements as described in the Manuals, and all other  agreements then in effect between us or our affiliates and any of our other policies.  e. Be current with all financial obligations owed to us and any third party, including your  landlord and other vendors of products or services to your Regional Developer Business.  f. Prior to the expiration of the Term, (and not applicable if we were to grant a written waiver  of your requirement to own a Location Franchise) upgrade, remodel and refurbish your Location Franchise, both  exterior and interior, to comply with our then current image, equipment, technology and other standards and  specifications as described in any of our Manuals, unless you Location Franchise’s Franchise Agreement was  renewed or the Location Franchise has been upgraded as approved by us within one (1) year prior to the last day of  

 

  6    this Agreement’s Term.  g. Execute a mutual general release with us whereby all parties expressly reserve any and all  rights to indemnification pursuant to Sections 15.2 hereof.  h. Submit to us in a form and at a time designated by us prior to renewal, a business plan for  the contemplated renewal term and attend a renewal meeting at our Headquarters.  i. Consistent with Section 5, you and/or your general manager must successfully complete  such “refresher” training at our current training center, or at other locations designated by us.  The scope and  content of such “refresher” training shall be determined by us.  You shall be solely responsible for all travel  expenses and related expenses in connection with such “refresher” course training.  4.3 Company’s Repurchase Option. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any time after five (5) full years  from the Effective Date, Company has the option of repurchasing the Development Area and all of your Regional  Developer rights associated with this Agreement for any opened and unopened Franchises within your  Development Area (“Repurchase Option”). Company must notify Regional Developer in writing of Company’s  intent to exercise its Repurchase Option at least thirty (30) days prior to the date such option shall take effect  (“Repurchase Notice”).  The total number of Franchises for which Regional Developer has acquired the  Development rights to open under this Agreement is set forth in Exhibit 1.  The Repurchase Option includes the acquisition of the following Franchise types on the date of the  Repurchase Notice:   (a) all Franchises open and operating in the Development Area (“Opened Franchises”)*    (b) all active licenses granted through executed and active franchise agreements, but the applicable  clinics have not yet opened (“Unopened Franchises”)  *Take note that on the date of the Repurchase Notice, any licenses or franchises agreements in the Development  Area that have been terminated, or any clinics that have been opened and then closed, shall not be included in the  calculation of the purchase price. Further, any Franchises that were opened in the Development Area prior to  Regional Developer’s execution of this Agreement will be transferred to Company at no cost to Company if  Company exercises its Repurchase Option.   Following delivery of the Repurchase Notice to Regional Developer, the parties shall negotiate in good  faith to determine a purchase price for the Development Area (and associated rights set forth in this Agreement). In  the event the parties cannot determine a purchase price within thirty (30) days following delivery of the Repurchase  Notice, the parties agree during the subsequent thirty (30) day period to mutually select and retain the services of a  third party valuation expert to determine a purchase price. The parties agree to mutually select and retain the third  party valuation expert, to each timely pay 50% of the costs, and to be bound by the established purchase price (or in  the event a range of purchase prices is established, to take the average of the low and the high purchase prices). The  parties agree that the closing on the Repurchase Option shall occur within (30) days of the determination of the  purchase price.   Failure by either party to actively and in good faith cooperate with the other party and the third party  valuation expert shall constitute a default of the terms of this Agreement. In the event the Regional Developer fails  to act in good faith as required above, the Company shall have the 30-day right to repurchase the Development  Area in accordance with the following formula:  (a) $29,000 for each Opened Franchise; plus    (b) $7,250 for each Unopened Franchise    Company and Regional Developer agree to execute and deliver any and all documents or    7    instruments required to effectuate the repurchase by the Company, including providing documents and information  to the third party valuation expert and documenting the transaction of the Development Area through the execution  of the Company’s standard form of “Asset Purchase Agreement”, which is attached at Exhibit G-2 to the Franchise  Disclosure Document you received prior to your execution of this Agreement.  5. ADDITIONAL OBLIGATIONS OF COMPANY AND REGIONAL DEVELOPER.  5.1 Regional Developer Training.  This training program may include classroom training and/or hands- on training and will be conducted at our corporate headquarters in Scottsdale, Arizona, and/or at any other  location(s) we designate.  Before opening for business, your Owners and any others that will be directly involved in  the operation of the Regional Developer Business, including a general manager, must attend and complete the  initial training to our satisfaction and participate in all other activities we require before soliciting Franchisees in the  Development Area.  Although we provide this training at no additional cost to Regional Developer, Regional  Developer must pay all travel and living expenses which it and its attendees incur.      If we determine that Regional Developer cannot complete initial training to our satisfaction, we may, at our  option, either (1) require Regional Developer to attend additional training at Regional Developer’s expense (for  which we may charge reasonable fees), or (2) terminate this Agreement.    Regional Developer shall participate in periodic webinars and sales calls scheduled by us for Regional  Developer Businesses, and attend a national business meeting or convention of up to three days each year.  We may  also require Regional Developer to attend up to two (2) additional or refresher training courses each year at our  corporate offices, or another location we designate. We may charge reasonable fees for these courses, conventions,  webinars, sales calls, and programs. Regional Developer is responsible for all travel and living expenses.    5.2 Regional Developer Manual.      (a) We shall loan to Regional Developer one (1) copy of our Manual for Regional Developer  Businesses (“Manual for RDs”).  Regional Developer shall conduct all business activities in strict accordance with  our standard operational methods and procedures as prescribed from time to time in the Manual for RDs.  As used  in the Agreement, the term “Manuals” shall be deemed to include the Manual for RDs delivered to Regional  Developer, all amendments to the Manual for RDs, and all supplemental bulletins, notices, exhibits, and  memoranda which prescribe standard methods or techniques of operation, and which we may from time to time  deliver to Regional Developer.    (b) We shall have the right to modify or supplement the Manuals.  Such modifications and  supplements shall be effective and binding on Regional Developer fifteen (15) days after Notice thereof is mailed  or otherwise delivered to Regional Developer.  Regional Developer acknowledges and agrees that modifications of  and supplements to the Manuals may obligate Regional Developer to invest reasonable amounts of additional  capital or incur reasonable higher operating costs.    (c) The Manuals are our property and may not be duplicated, copied, disclosed or  disseminated in whole or in part in any manner except with our express prior written consent.  Regional Developer  shall maintain the confidentiality of the Manuals.  Upon the termination of this Agreement, Regional Developer  shall return to us all copies of the Manuals in its possession or control.      5.3 General Guidance and Site Assistance/Review.    (a) General.  We will provide guidance to Regional Developer in the Manuals and other  bulletins or other written materials, by electronic media, and/or by telephone consultation.  If Regional Developer  requests and we agree to provide additional or special guidance, assistance or training, Regional Developer must  pay our then applicable charges, including our personnel per diem charges and any travel and living expenses.      (b) Site Assistance and Review.      8      (i) You shall submit to us for review each proposed site and proposed territory for  each Franchisee prior to such Franchisee’s execution of any Franchise Agreement or lease for a proposed location  inside of your Development Area (whether or not such proposed location is in connection with a new Location  Franchise, a relocation of an existing Location Franchise, or a conversion to a Location Franchise).  You shall  comply with all of our requirements, policies and procedures as to site assistance, including participation in and  assistance in conducting any market study required by us.  You hereby acknowledge and agree that only we may  approve of the territorial boundaries for any Franchisee’s territory.  (ii) Regarding the re-sale (transfer) of an existing Location, you must receive our prior  written approval if and when you seek to communicate our modification of the territorial boundaries of any such  existing Location Franchise.  (iii) You shall use your commercially-reasonable efforts to assist Franchisees in their  execution of a premises lease with their landlord and shall ensure that our required lease language is contained  within the lease or an addendum to the lease as required in the then-current form of Franchise Agreement or as  specified by us in writing.  You shall use your commercially-reasonable efforts to have the Franchisees provide us  with a copy of the lease prior to execution for our approval.  (iv) You shall assist us with regard to each Franchisee’s execution of any and all  documents related to the selling, opening, and operating of a Location Franchise.  (v) Notwithstanding the site assistance responsibilities delegated by us to you above,  we may mutually agree during the Term to collaborate on the following items listed below; however we reserve the  unrestricted right, during the Term of this Agreement and within your Development Area to do all of the following  if you fail to satisfy the Minimum Development Obligation, at which time our right to conduct these responsibilities  becomes unrestricted:  A. search for and consider potential site locations for possible Location  Franchises;  B. acquire real estate rights, under a letter of intent, lease, sublease, or  otherwise (as owner, lessor, sub-lessor, or otherwise) for potential site locations for Location Franchises;  C. assign, lease, sub-lease, or otherwise any real estate rights directly to  franchisees or prospective franchisees or option holders;  D. notify (directly or through you) existing franchisees or prospective  Franchisees of potential site locations for Location Franchises so that they may consider acquiring real estate rights  for such site locations; and  E. require that you visit, evaluate and complete any required site review for  us on any potential site locations that we have identified to become Location Franchises.  5.4 Franchise Registration and Disclosure.  Neither Regional Developer nor any representative of  Regional Developer shall solicit prospective Franchisees of Location Franchises until we have registered our  current Franchise Disclosure Document in applicable jurisdictions in the Development Area and have provided  Regional Developer with the requisite documents, or at any time when we notify Regional Developer that our  registration is not then in effect or our documents are not then in compliance with applicable law.  If Regional  Developer’s activities pursuant to this Agreement require the preparation, amendment, registration, or filing of  information or any disclosure or other documents, then all requisite disclosure documents, ancillary documents, and  registration applications shall be prepared and filed by us or our designee, and registration secured, before Regional  Developer may solicit prospective Franchisees for Location Franchises.  Costs of such registration applicable to  Regional Developer shall be borne by Regional Developer.  In particular, Regional Developer shall:         9    (a) prepare and forward to us verified financial statements of Regional Developer in such form  and for such periods as shall be designated by us, including audited financial statements, if necessary and  appropriate to comply with applicable legal disclosure, filing or other legal requirements;     (b) promptly provide all information reasonably required by us to prepare all requisite  disclosure documents and ancillary documents for the offering of franchises throughout the Development Area; and    (c) execute all documents required by us for the purpose of registering Regional Developer  and us to offer franchises throughout the Development Area.    Regional Developer agrees to review all information pertaining to Regional Developer prepared to comply  with legal requirements for selling franchises in the Development Area and verify its accuracy if so requested by us.   Regional Developer acknowledges that we and our affiliates and designees shall not be liable to Regional  Developer for any errors, omissions or delays which occur in the preparation of such materials.    5.5 Investigation and Qualification of Prospective Franchisees.    (a) Each Location Franchise opened by a Franchisee pursuant to this Agreement shall be the  subject of a separate Franchise Agreement with us, upon our then current form.  Regional Developer shall have no  right to modify or offer to modify any Franchise Agreement or other contract.     (b)   Regional Developer shall be responsible for disclosing (or re-disclosing, when there are  updates or supplements) to prospects our most current form of the Franchise Disclosure Document.    (c) If we shall approve a Franchisee and a prospective franchise location, Regional Developer  shall transmit to such Franchisee for execution copies of our then-current Franchise Agreement pertaining to the  approved site and providing for a protected territory surrounding said Location Franchise, as determined by us.    (d) Regional Developer shall investigate the qualifications of each prospective Franchisee and  the suitability of each prospective franchise location in the Development Area in accordance with our standards,  policies and procedures relating to qualification of Franchisees then in effect, and shall obtain all information  required of prospective Franchisees by us.    (e) After Regional Developer is satisfied that a prospective Franchisee meets the standards  established by us, Regional Developer may recommend to us the approval of such prospective Franchisee.   Regional Developer shall then furnish to us all information relating to the prospective Franchisee which shall be  required by us in the form and manner customarily required by us.    (f) We may thereafter conduct or obtain such credit reports and background checks on  prospective franchisees as we deem necessary or convenient.  We may then approve or disapprove a prospective  franchisee for any reason and may seek further information with respect to the prospective Franchisee.  Regional  Developer shall cooperate with us in any further investigation of the prospective Franchisee.  If we shall reject a  prospective Franchisee, we shall provide Regional Developer with a written explanation of the reasons therefor.    (g) Regional Developer shall deliver to us a copy of all correspondence with Franchisees that  is material to the franchise relationship, concurrently with its being sent or received by Regional Developer.    5.6 Training and Support.      (a) Initial and Ongoing Assistance to Franchisees.    Unless we designate otherwise, you shall provide Franchisees with such initial and ongoing assistance,  supervision, training and other services as we delegate to you as specified in the Manuals or other written directives  to you, including the following responsibilities:  

 

  10      (i) You shall provide initial and ongoing training to Franchisees within the  Development Area pursuant to Section 5.6(b) below.  (ii) You shall comply with all aspects of our Opening Process as set forth in the  Manuals and as prescribed by us from time to time.  (iii) You shall perform field support and coordination responsibilities for Franchisees  within the Development Area and shall act as a liaison to facilitate communication between Franchisees and us.  (iv) You shall at all times employ a sufficient number of qualified staff, and shall  maintain adequate office facilities to:  (i) satisfy the Minimum Development Obligation and (ii) supervise, assist,  train and provide services to Franchisees in the Development Area, as required by this Agreement and the Manuals.  (v) All Owners owning at least a thirty percent (30%) equity stake in you shall at your  expense, attend such conferences and meetings as required by us from time to time, including, without limitation,  each franchisee convention.  (vi) You shall assist us to collect from Franchisees within your Development Area the  following:  Royalty, National Marketing Fee, or any other fees due to us or any affiliate of us.  (vii) You shall assist us in the enforcement and compliance by each Franchisee within  your Development Area as to the proper maintenance and submission of records and reports as set forth in the  Franchise Agreement and the Manuals.  You shall assist us to inspect and review each Franchisee’s Location  Franchise located within your Development Area to achieve the Franchisee’s compliance with our specifications  and standards, systems, operation manuals and the terms of their Franchise Agreement.  (viii) You shall, in our determination, conduct or assist us with operational review of any  Franchisees within your Development Area, as well as provide us with ongoing information, as requested from time  to time by us, subject to your ability to obtain such information concerning any Location Franchise within your  Development Area.  (ix) You shall comply with the Manuals, Specifications and Standards, and our  Systems provided from time to time by us describing your responsibilities pertaining to the sales, transfer or  renewal of a Franchisee’s Franchise Agreement for franchises within the Development Area.  (x) You shall conduct networking meetings, on-site visits, and provide ongoing  communication to the Franchisees within your Development Area.  (xi) You shall provide coordination to Franchisees who do any of the following within  your Development Area:  (i) open a new Location Franchises; (ii) remodel a Location Franchise; (iii) relocate a  Location Franchise; (iv) convert a competitor into a Location Franchise; and/or (v) conduct an upgrade to a  Location Franchise within your Development Area.    (xii) You shall provide the support and assistance to Franchisees in the Development  Area as set forth in the Manuals, the Standards and Specifications, the Systems, this Agreement, or as otherwise  communicated by us to you in writing from time to time.  (xiii) We may from time to time, as mutually agreed upon by the parties, relieve you  from the duty to provide the initial and on-going support and coordination to Franchisees in the Development Area  stated within this Section 5.6.  You hereby agree that we do not have to pay you any portion of fees (including any  fees stated in Section 8.2 of this Agreement) that we actually Collect from Franchisees in the Development Area  during the relief period.  (b) Training Programs Provided to Franchisees.      11      (xiv) You shall provide training programs for Franchisees within the Development Area  in accordance with the procedures set forth in this Agreement, the Franchise Agreement, the Manuals, our  Standards and Specifications, the Systems, and you shall distribute to the Franchisee the training and other  materials made available by us to you.  (xv) You shall provide Franchisees in the Development Area with additional training as  may be required by us from time to time and you shall be solely responsible for all expenses associated with such  additional training.  (xvi) You shall promote and facilitate cooperation between us and any Franchisee as  required by the Manuals, including but not limited to the following:  A. Ensuring that Franchisees stay advised of activities conducted by us in  support to the System;  B. Pursuant to the Manuals or as communicated to you by us in writing,  scheduling and conducting meetings of Franchisees in the Development Area to distribute, review and explain  materials provided by us to its franchisees and to provide a forum for Franchisees to share information and ideas;  C. Ensuring that we are advised of any and all major issues or problems  raised at any franchisee meetings or otherwise in the Development Area;  D. You shall notify us immediately of any Location Franchise located within  the Development Area that is operated by a person or contains individuals who have not successfully completed all  training programs as required from time to time; and  E. All training provided by you to Franchisees must be conducted by  personnel that have successfully completed our applicable training.  5.7 Inspection of Location Franchises and Operations.  Regional Developer shall conduct inspections  of all of the Location Franchises in the Development Area, and of its operations and the review of the operations of  all Location Franchises in the Development Area, in accordance with the standards from time to time established by  us, upon such schedules and according to such procedures as shall be agreed upon by us and Regional Developer,  acting in good faith, but, in any event, at least the minimum number of times each calendar quarter prescribed in the  Manual for RDs. Regional Developer shall provide reports to us with respect to the findings of such inspections, in  such form and at such time as we shall require.  We reserve the right to conduct periodic reviews or inspections of  your Regional Developer Business operations to ensure that you are in compliance with this Agreement, the  Manual for RDs, standards, and any of our other written directives to you.      5.8 Marketing and Promotion.  Regional Developer shall participate in all promotion and marketing  activities required by us of our Regional Developers, as required in the Franchise Agreements, or otherwise.  In  addition:   (a) You shall assist Franchisees to establish, support and remain members in good standing of  the National Advertising Fund and any applicable Co-ops within the Development Area.    (b) You shall monitor the Franchisees’ advertising within the Development Area for  compliance with our standards and specifications (including required advertising expenditures), systems, operation  manuals, or as otherwise specified in writing by us from time to time.  (c) You shall promote and support all national media advertising campaigns initiated by us and  otherwise provide such assistance and support to Franchisees regarding the advertising and marketing of their  Location Franchises.    12    (d) You shall assist Franchisees with the Grand Opening planning and execution for their  Location Franchises, including the collection of at least two hundred (200) leads from prospective new patients  prior the opening of their Location Franchise(s).  5.9 Operation of a Location Franchise.  You must own, operate and maintain at least one Location  Franchise within your Development Area throughout the term of this Agreement.  You must execute a Franchise  Agreement and pay our then-current initial franchise fee for Location Franchise at the same time you execute this  Agreement.  The following requirements will apply to such Location Franchise: (a) the business must be located  within your Development Area, unless we agree otherwise; and (b) you shall be required to remit the Royalty Fee,  as that term is defined in your Franchise Agreement, and any other fees due to us or our affiliates pursuant to the  terms of said agreement, and receive the reimbursement pursuant to the terms of this Agreement.  The Initial  Franchise Fee for the Location Franchise you own and operate in the Development Area will not be covered by the  Initial Regional Developer Fee paid to us pursuant to this Agreement.      5.10 Report of Material Franchisee Violations.  If you receive notice, or are informed, of any material  violation or breach by any Franchisee within your Development Area of the manuals, standards and specifications,  systems, or applicable Franchise Agreement, you must promptly notify us in writing of the same.     6. OPERATING STANDARDS.  6.1  Standard of Service.  Regional Developer shall at all times give prompt, courteous and efficient  service to Location Franchises in the Development Area.  Regional Developer shall, in all dealings with  Franchisees, prospective Franchisees and the public, adhere to the highest standards of honesty, integrity, fair  dealings and ethical conduct.    6.2 Compliance with Laws and Good Business Practices. Regional Developer shall secure and  maintain in force all required licenses, permits and certificates relating to Regional Developer’s activities under this  Agreement and operate in full compliance with all applicable laws, ordinances and regulations.  Regional  Developer acknowledges being advised that many jurisdictions have enacted laws concerning the advertising, sale,  renewal and termination of, and continuing relationship between parties to a franchise agreement, including,  without limitation, laws concerning disclosure requirements.  Regional Developer agrees promptly to become  aware of and to comply with all such laws and legal requirements in force in the Development Area and to utilize  only disclosure documents that we have approved for use in the applicable jurisdiction.     6.3 Accuracy of Information. Before it solicits any prospective franchisee, Regional Developer  shall  each time take reasonable steps to confirm that the information contained in any written materials, agreements and  other documents related to the offer or sale of franchises is true, correct and not misleading at the time of such offer  or sale and that the offer or sale of such franchise will not at that time be contrary to or in violation of any  applicable state law related to the registration of the franchise offering.   We shall provide Regional Developer with  any changes to our disclosure documents and other agreements on a timely basis and, upon request, provide  Regional Developer with confirmation that the information contained in any written materials, agreements or  documents being used by Regional Developer is true, correct and not misleading, except for information  specifically relating to disclosures regarding Regional Developer.  If Regional Developer notifies us of an error in  any information in our documents, we shall have a reasonable period of time to attempt to correct any deficiencies,  misrepresentations or omissions in such information.     6.4 Notification of Litigation.  Regional Developer shall notify us in writing within five (5) days after  the commencement of any action, suit, arbitration, proceeding, or investigation, or the issuance of any order, writ,  injunction, award and decree, by any court agency or other governmental instrumentality, which names Regional  Developer or any of its Owners or otherwise concerns the operation or financial condition of Regional Developer,  the Regional Developer Business or any Franchisee.    6.5 Insurance.  Regional Developer shall at all times during the term of this Agreement maintain in  force, at Regional Developer’s sole expense, insurance written on an occurrence basis for the Regional Developer    13    Business of the types, in the amounts and with such terms and conditions as we may from time to time prescribe in  the Regional Developer Manual or otherwise.  All of the required insurance policies shall name us and affiliates  designated by us as additional insured, contain a waiver of the insurance company’s right of subrogation against us  and the designated affiliates, and provide that we will receive thirty (30) days’ prior written notice of termination,  expiration, cancellation or modification of any such policy.  You are responsible for any and all claims, losses or  damages, including to third persons, originating from, in connection with, or caused by your failure to name us as  an additional insured on each insurance policy.  You agree to defend, indemnify and hold us harmless of, from, and  with respect to any such claims, loss or damage arising out of your failure to name us as additional insured, which  indemnity shall survive the termination or expiration and non-renewal of this Agreement.      Notwithstanding the existence of such insurance, you are and will be responsible for all loss or damage and  contractual liability to third persons originating from or in connection with the operation of the Regional Developer  franchise, and for all claims or demands for damages to property or for injury, illness or death of persons directly or  indirectly resulting therefrom; and you agree to defend, indemnify and hold us harmless of, from, and with respect  to any such claims, loss or damage, which indemnity shall survive the termination or expiration and non-renewal of  this Agreement.  In addition to the requirements of the foregoing paragraphs of this Paragraph 6.5, you must  maintain any and all insurance coverage in such amounts and under such terms and conditions as may be required  in connection with your lease or purchase of any premises used to operate your Regional Developer franchise.    Your obligation to maintain insurance coverage as described in this Agreement will not be reduced in any  manner by reason of any separate insurance we maintain on our own behalf, nor will our maintenance of that  insurance relieve you of any obligations under this Agreement.    If you fail to pay the premiums for insurance required to operate your franchise, we may obtain insurance  for you and you will be required to reimburse us within ten (10) days of receipt of a demand for reimbursement  from us. We will have the right to debit your account the amounts owed to us for such premiums if you fail to pay  us within ten (10) days of our request for reimbursement.      6.6 Proof of Insurance Coverage.   Regional Developer will provide proof of insurance to us before  beginning operations of its Regional Developer Business.  This proof will show that the insurer has been authorized  to inform us in the event any policies lapse or are cancelled or modified.  We have the right to change the types,  amount and terms of insurance that Regional Developer is required to maintain by giving Regional Developer prior  reasonable notice.  Noncompliance with these insurance provisions shall be deemed a material breach of this  Agreement, and in the event of any lapse in insurance coverage, we shall have the right, in addition to all other  remedies, to demand that Regional Developer cease operations of its Regional Developer Business until coverage is  reinstated or, in the alternative, to pay any delinquencies in premium payments and charge the same back to  Regional Developer.    6.7 Advertising Requirement and Cooperatives.  You must meet the minimum advertising requirement  we establish for your Regional Developer Business (“Minimum Advertisement Requirement”). We will establish  the Minimum Advertising Requirement at the time you sign this Agreement.  However, your Minimum Advertising  Requirement will be no event be less than $750 per month, or $9,000 per year per Development Area owned by  you.  You may be required to provide receipts to show you are meeting this requirement.  We reserve the right to  increase the Minimum Advertisement Requirement for your Regional Developer Business if we determine that it is  necessary for you to meet your Minimum Development Obligation. We may require you to submit to corporate  your yearly lead generation marketing plan for review and approval.    If one is created, you will be required to join and participate in an Advertising Cooperative (“Co-op”),  which is an association of Regional Developers who are located within a Designated Market Area (“DMA”).  A  DMA is a geographic area around a city in which the radio and television stations based in that city account for a  greater proportion of the listening/viewing public than those based in the neighboring cities.  One function of the  Co-op is to establish a local advertising pool, of which the funds must be used for advertising only and for the  mutual benefit of each Co-op member.  We have the right to specify the manner in which any Co-ops are organized  and governed, and require any and all Co-ops to be legal entities of the state where they are located.  Co-ops must  

 

  14    operate according to written bylaws which have been approved by us.  Co-ops must provide us a copy of their  organizational documents and bylaws prior to commencing any marketing or other activities. Currently, there are  no Co-ops, however, if established, each Regional Developer must contribute to a Co-op according to the Co-op’s  rules and regulations, and bylaws, as determined by its members.  Amounts contributed to Co-ops may be  considered as spent toward your Minimum Advertising Requirement under this Agreement, if appropriately  documented and spent according to our defined criteria for advertising.      6.8 Approval of Advertising.  Prior to their use by Regional Developer, samples of all advertising and  promotional materials not prepared or previously approved by us shall be submitted to us for approval, which  approval shall not be unreasonably withheld.  Regional Developer shall not use any advertising or promotional  materials that we have not approved or have disapproved.  Regional Developer acknowledges and understands that  certain states require the filing of franchise sales advertising materials with the appropriate state agency prior to  dissemination.  Regional Developer agrees fully and timely to comply with such filing requirements at Regional  Developer’s own expense unless such advertising has been previously filed with the state by us.  We may charge  Regional Developer for the costs incurred by us in printing large quantities of advertising and marketing materials  supplied by us to Regional Developer at Regional Developer’s request.  We may require you to submit to corporate  your yearly lead generation marketing plan for review and approval.    6.9 Websites.  As used in this Agreement, the term “Website” means an interactive electronic  document contained in a network of computers linked by communications software that refers to the Franchise  Locations, Regional Developers, the System, or the Marks.  The term “Website” includes, but is not limited to,  Internet and World Wide Web pages.  In connection with any Website, Regional Developer agrees to the following:    (a) Regional Developer shall not operate or establish a Website separate from our Website.   All franchise leads should be directed to www.thejointfranchise.com.  We shall have the right, but not the  obligation, to designate one or more web page(s) to describe Regional Developer.  Such web pages(s) will most  likely be located on our Website.    6.10 Accounting, Bookkeeping and Records.  Regional Developer shall maintain at its business  premises in the Development Area all original invoices, receipts, checks, contracts, licenses, acknowledgement of  receipt forms, and bookkeeping and business records we require from time to time.  Regional Developer shall  furnish to us, within one hundred twenty (120) days after the end of Regional Developer’s fiscal year, a balance  sheet and profit and loss statement (audited by a CPA, if requested by us) for Regional Developer’s Business for  such year (or a monthly or quarterly statement if required by us, in which case such statements also shall reflect  year-to-date information).  In addition, upon our request, within ten (10) days after such returns are filed, exact  copies of federal and state income, sales and any other tax returns and such other forms, records, books and other  information as we periodically require regarding Regional Developer’s Business, shall be furnished to us.  Regional  Developer shall maintain all records and report of the business conducted pursuant to this Agreement for at least  two (2) years after the date of termination or expiration of this Agreement.    6.11 Reports and Annual Business Plan.      (a) Reports.  Regional Developer shall, as often as required by us, deliver to us a written report  of its Regional Developer Business activities in such form and detail as we may from time to time specify,  including information about efforts to solicit prospective Franchisees, the status of pending real estate transactions  and the status of Location Franchises.      (b) Annual Business Plan.  On or before the one-hundred and twentieth (120th) day following  each calendar year (or fiscal year, if you are on a non-calendar fiscal year) during the Term, you shall submit an  annual business plan in the form designated by us.  If you have a business plan on file with us, an update of such  business plan, in the form designated by us will satisfy this requirement    6.12 Computer Systems. You are not required to purchase any particular computer system, operating  software or hardware to operate your Regional Developer Business, however, you will be required to use a    15    computer and printer to operate your Regional Developer Business, and need to have access to a broadband Internet  connection in order to operate your Regional Developer Business.    6.13 Technology Systems.  (a) Generally. You must acquire and utilize all information and communication technology  systems that we specify from time to time, including, without limitation, computer systems, webcam systems,  telecommunications systems, security systems, disclosure systems, electronic signature systems and similar  systems,, together with the associated hardware, software (including cloud-based software) and related equipment,  software applications, mobile apps, and third-party services relating to the establishment, use, maintenance,  monitoring, security or improvement of these systems (collectively referred to as the “Technology Systems”). The  Technology Systems may relate to matters such as purchasing, pricing, accounting, order entry, inventory control,  contact management, delivery of Franchise Disclosure Documents, document preparation, facilitation of electronic  signatures, security, information storage, retrieval and transmission, customer information, customer loyalty,  marketing, communications, copying, printing and scanning, or any other business purpose that we deem  appropriate. We may require that you, at your expense, acquire new or substitute Technology Systems, and/or  replace, upgrade or update existing Technology Systems, upon reasonable prior notice.  (b) Use and Access. You must utilize your Technology Systems in accordance with the  Manual. You may not load or permit any unauthorized programs or games on your Technology Systems. You must  ensure that your employees are adequately trained in the use of the Technology Systems. You agree to take all steps  necessary to enable us to have independent and unlimited access to the operational data collected through your  Technology Systems, including information regarding your revenues and expenses. Upon our request, you agree to  provide us with the user IDs and passwords for your Technology Systems, including upon termination or expiration  of this Agreement.   (c) Disruptions. You are solely responsible for protecting against computer viruses, bugs,  power disruptions, communication line disruptions, internet access failures, internet content failures, date-related  problems, and attacks by hackers and other unauthorized intruders. Upon our request, you must obtain and maintain  cyber insurance and business interruption insurance for technology disruptions.   (d) Fees and Costs. You are responsible for all fees, costs and expenses associated with  acquiring, licensing, utilizing, updating and upgrading the Technology Systems. Certain components of the  Technology Systems must be purchased or licensed from third party suppliers. We and/or our affiliate may develop  proprietary software, technology or other components of the Technology Systems that will become part of our  System. If this occurs: (i) you agree to pay us (or our affiliate) commercially reasonable licensing, support and  maintenance fees; and (ii) upon our request, you agree to enter into a license agreement with us (or our affiliate) in  a form that we prescribe governing your use of the proprietary software, technology or other component of the  Technology Systems. We also reserve the right to enter into master agreements with third-party suppliers relating to  any components of the Technology Systems and then charge you for all amounts that we must pay to these  suppliers based upon your use of the software, technology, equipment, or services provided by the suppliers. The  “technology fee” includes all amounts that you must pay us or our affiliates relating to the Technology Systems,  including amounts paid for proprietary items and amounts that we collect from you and remit to third-party  suppliers based on your use of their systems, software, technology or services. The amount of the technology fee  may change based upon changes to the Technology Systems or the prices charged by third-party suppliers with  whom we enter into master agreements. The technology fee does not include any amounts that you directly pay to  third party suppliers for any component of the Technology Systems. The technology fee is due 10 days after  invoicing or as otherwise specified by us from time to time.    6.13 Management of Business.  You must personally participate in the direct operation of your Regional  Developer Business. If you do not personally participate in the direct operation of your Regional Developer  Business on a full-time basis, then you are obligated to have a fully trained Manager operate the franchise. We  believe that only a person with an equity interest can adequately ensure that our standards of quality and  competence are maintained. We required that you be directly involved in the day-to-day operations and utilize your    16    best efforts to promote and enhance the performance of the Regional Developer Business.     Any Manager you employ at the launching of your franchise operations must complete the initial  management-training course required by the Company. All subsequent Managers must be trained fully according to  our standards by either the franchise owner or the Company. However, the Company may charge a fee for this  additional training.    7. DEVELOPMENT FEE; SHARING OF COSTS IN THE DEVELOPMENT AREA.       7.1 Regional Developer shall pay to us a non-refundable “Development Fee” of  ____________________________________________________ Dollars ($ _______________), payable upon  execution of this Agreement.   7.2 Regional Developer shall pay us, on demand, one-half (1/2) of documented Model Defense Costs  (the “RD Expense Share” (as further set forth at Section 7.3 below)). For purposes of this Section 7, “Model  Defense Costs” shall mean documented third-party expenses (including without limitation, attorneys’ fees and  applicable court or expert witness costs) incurred by the Company to defend threats to The Joint business model in  the Development Area arising from newly enacted or proposed, revised or otherwise amended restrictions,  legislation, rules, ordinances, and other administrative, state, or governmental actions attempted to be put in place at  the Federal, State, County, or local level governing all or a portion of the Development Area, including potential  actions by the applicable state Chiropractic Board or similarly named entity that governs Chiropractic practice in all  or a portion of the Development Area. The RD Expense Share shall be due upon demand from the Company, so  long as the demand includes documentation of all third-party costs and expenses incurred and paid by the Company  that comprise the Model Defense Costs (the “Expense Notice”). If the Regional Developer does not pay the RD  Expense Share to the Company within  fifteen (15) days of receipt of the Expense Notice, so long as the Company  provides prior written notice to Regional Developer, the Company may offset all or a portion of the RD Expense  Share detailed in the Expense Notice against monies due and owing the Regional Developer under Section 8 below.    7.3 Regional Developer shall pay us, on demand as set forth above, the RD Expense Share of one-half (1/2) of  documented costs and expenses in the event that: (i) the Company in its sole discretion agrees to pay a Franchisee  in the Development Area any amount arising from the termination of that Franchisee’s franchise agreement (or if  the Company waives collection of any amount to which it is entitled), (ii) a court or arbitrator of competent  jurisdiction determines that the Company must pay that Franchisee any amount (or that the Company must waive  collection of any amount to which it is entitled); or (iii) the Company otherwise suffers a loss or damages in  connection with a Franchisee in the Development Area.    8. PAYMENTS TO REGIONAL DEVELOPER.    8.1 Initial Fee Commission and Conditions of Payment.  During the term of this Agreement, Regional  Developer shall be paid a commission, as set forth in this Section, paid from the initial franchise fees paid by  Franchisees and/or Regional Developer for the purchase of Location Franchises to be located within the  Development Area (the “Initial Fee Commission”), subject to fulfillment of the following conditions: (a) the  Franchisee (or Regional Developer) executes a Franchise Agreement with us and an initial franchise fee has been  paid to and actually received by us (we shall not be deemed to have received any fees paid into escrow, if  applicable, until such fees actually have been remitted to us); and (b) Regional Developer has complied with all of  its other obligations under this Agreement with respect to such sale and has verified the same to us in writing in a  form prescribed by us.  The Initial Fee Commission shall be fifty percent (50%) of the initial franchise fee for each  Location Franchise that is sold pursuant to this Agreement minus any referral fees or sales commissions, if any, and  will be payable to Regional Developer within twenty (20) days after the conditions of this Section 8.1 have been  fulfilled.  In addition, Regional Developer shall be entitled to a commission of 50% of any transfer and/or renewal  fees Company collects from Location Franchises within the Development Area.       17    If we are required to refund any portion of the initial franchise fees paid by the Franchisee for the purchase  of a Location Franchise, Regional Developer shall share fifty percent (50%) of the refunding responsibility.     If we and you mutually agree for us to relieve you of your franchise sales responsibilities and if we (or our  designees) undertake said responsibility in originating and closing the sales lead which results in a sale of a  Location Franchise located in the Development Area, then we shall pay to you a commission equal to twenty-five  percent (25%) of the initial franchise fee we actually collect.  If we decide to offer initial Franchisees a limited time  promotional discount of the initial franchise fee, then you hereby agree to your share of any such reduced fee shall  also be reduced proportionately.      8.2 Commissions on Royalty Fees.  We shall pay to Regional Developer, on or before the 20th day of  each month, 42.957% of the royalty fees (which excludes advertising and marketing fees) actually received by us  from each Location Franchisee located in the Development Area during the applicable period pursuant to their  Franchise Agreement (“Royalty Fees”).  Notwithstanding the foregoing, if Regional Developer has failed to  conduct the periodic inspections described in Section 5.7 and failed to perform in any material respect, with respect  to one (1) or more Franchisees located in the Development Area, the other services described in Section 5 to be  provided to Franchisees located in the Development Area during any applicable month, then Regional Developer  shall not be entitled to receive commissions on Royalty Fees with respect to such Franchisees for the period during  which reports or services were not provided.    8.3 Commissions After Termination.  All payments under this Section 8 shall immediately and  permanently cease after the expiration or termination of this Agreement, although Regional Developer shall receive  all amounts which have accrued to Regional Developer as of the effective date of expiration or termination.    8.4 Application of Payments.  Our payments to Regional Developer shall be based on amounts actually  collected from Franchisees, not on payments accrued, due or owning.  In the event of termination of a Franchise  Agreement for an Location Franchise within the Development Area, we shall apply any payments received from a  Franchisee to pay past due indebtedness of that Franchisee for Royalty Fees, advertising contributions, purchases  from us or our affiliates, interest or any other indebtedness on that Franchisee to us or our affiliates.  To the extent  that such payments are applied to a Franchisee’s overdue Royalty Fee payments, Regional Developer shall be  entitled to its pro rata share of such payments, less its pro rata share of the costs of collection paid to third parties.      8.5 Setoffs and Refunds.   Regional Developer shall not be allowed to set off amounts owed to us for  fees or other amounts due under this Agreement against any monies owed to Regional Developer by us, which right  to set off is hereby expressly waived by Regional Developer.  We shall be allowed to set off against amounts owed  to Regional Developer for commissions, Royalty Fees or other amounts due under this Agreement any monies  owed to us by Regional Developer.  In the event that we are required to refund any monies paid to us by a  Franchisee within your Development Area, you agree to refund or return to us any monies your have received from  us relating to such Franchisee.      9. MARKS.    9.1 Ownership and Goodwill of Marks.  Regional Developer’s right to use the Marks is derived only  from this Agreement and is limited to Regional Developer’s operation of its Regional Developer Business.   Regional Developer’s unauthorized use of the Marks is a breach of this Agreement and infringes our rights in the  Marks.  Regional Developer acknowledges and agrees that Regional Developer’s use of the Marks and any  goodwill established by that use are for our exclusive benefit and that this Agreement does not confer any goodwill  or other interests in the Marks upon Regional Developer (other than the right to operate a Regional Developer  Business under this Agreement).  All provisions of this Agreement relating to the Marks apply to any additional and  substitute trademarks and service marks we authorize Regional Developer to use.    9.2 Limitations on Regional Developer’s Use of Marks.  Regional Developer may not use any Mark:   (1) as part of any corporate or legal business name; (2) with any prefix, suffix or other modifying words, terms,  designs, symbols other than logos we have licensed to Regional Developer; (3) in selling any unauthorized services  

 

  18    or products; (4) as part of any domain name, electronic address or search engine, without our consent; or (5) in any  other manner we have not expressly authorized in writing.  Regional Developer may not use any Mark in  advertising the transfer, sale or other disposition of Regional Developer’s business under this Agreement or an  ownership interest in Regional Developer (if a corporation, partnership, limited liability company or another  business entity holds the franchise at any time during this Agreement’s term) without our prior written consent.    9.3 Notification of Infringements and Claims.  Regional Developer agrees to notify us immediately of  any apparent infringement of or challenge to Regional Developer’s use of any Mark, or of any person’s claim of  any rights in any Mark, and not to communicate with any person other than us and our attorneys and Regional  Developer’s attorneys regarding any infringement, challenge or claim. We may take action we deem appropriate  (including no action) and control exclusively any litigation, U.S. Patent and Trademark Office proceeding or other  administrative proceeding arising from any infringement, challenge or claim or otherwise concerning any Mark.   Regional Developer agrees to sign any documents and take any actions that, in the opinion of our attorneys, are  necessary or advisable to protect and maintain our interests in any litigation or Patent and Trademark Office or  other proceeding or otherwise to protect and maintain our interests in the Marks.    9.4 Discontinuance of Use of Marks.  If we believe at any time that it is advisable for us and/or  Regional Developer to modify or discontinue using any Mark and/or use one or more additional or substitute  trademarks or service marks, Regional Developer agrees to comply with our directions within a reasonable time  after receiving noticed.  We need not reimburse Regional Developer for Regional Developer’s expenses in  complying with these directions, for any loss of revenue due to any modified or discontinued Mark, or for Regional  Developer’s expenses of promoting a modified or substitute trademark or service mark.    9.5 Indemnification For Use of Marks.  We agree to indemnify and reimburse Regional Developer  against and for all damages for which Regional Developer is held liable in any trademark infringement proceeding  arising out of Regional Developer’s authorized use of any Mark pursuant to and in compliance with this  Agreement, and for all costs Regional Developer reasonably incurs in the defense of any such claim in which  Regional Developer is named as a party, so long as Regional Developer has timely notified us of the claim, and  have otherwise complied with this Agreement.  At our option, we may defend and control the defense of any  proceeding relating to any Mark.    10. CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION.    We possess (and may continue to develop and acquire) certain confidential information relating to the  development and operation of Location Franchises and Regional Developer Businesses (the “Confidential  Information”), which includes (without limitation):         (1) site selection criteria;    (2) methods, formats, specifications, standards, systems, procedures, sales and marketing techniques,  knowledge and experience used in developing and operating Location Franchises and Regional  Developer Businesses;     (3) marketing research and promotional, marketing and advertising programs for Location Franchises  and Regional Developer Businesses;    (4) knowledge of specifications for and suppliers or, and methods of ordering, certain operating assets  and products that Location Franchises and Regional Developer Businesses use;    (5) knowledge of the operating results and financial performance of Location Franchises and Regional  Developer Businesses;      (6) customer communication and retention programs, along with data used or generated in connection  with those programs; graphic designs and related intellectual property;    19      (7) information generated by or used or developed in the operation of Location Franchises and  Regional Developer Businesses, including customer names, addresses, telephone numbers and  related information; and    (8) any other information designated confidential or proprietary by us.    Regional Developer acknowledges and agrees that by entering into this Agreement, Regional Developer  will not acquire any interest in Confidential Information, other than the right to use certain Confidential Information  in accordance with this Agreement, and that Regional Developer’s use of any Confidential Information in any other  business would constitute an unfair method of competition with us and our franchisees.  Regional Developer further  acknowledges and agrees that the Confidential Information is proprietary, includes our trade secrets, and is  disclosed to Regional Developer only on the condition that Regional Developer agrees, and it does agree, that  Regional Developer:     (1) will not use any Confidential Information in any other business or capacity;    (2) will keep the Confidential Information absolutely confidential during and after this Agreement’s  term;    (3) will not make unauthorized copies of any Confidential Information disclosure via electronic  medium or in written or other tangible form;    (4) will adopt and implement all reasonable procedures that we periodically prescribe to prevent  unauthorized use or disclosure of Confidential Information, including, without limitation:  (i)  restricting its disclosure to Regional Developer’s personnel and Franchisees needing to know such  Confidential Information in order to develop and operate the Location Franchises; and (ii) requiring  those having access to Confidential Information to sign confidentiality and non-disclosure  agreements.  We have the right to regulate the form of agreement that Regional Developer uses and  to be a third party beneficiary of that agreement with independent enforcement rights; and     (5) will not sell, trade or otherwise profit in any way from the Confidential Information, except using  methods approved by us.      All ideas, concepts, techniques or materials relating to a Location Franchise or Regional Developer  Business, whether or not protectable intellectual property and whether created by or for Regional Developer or its  employees, must be promptly disclosed to us and will be deemed to be our sole and exclusive property and works  made-for-hire for us.  To the extent any item does not qualify as a “work made-for-hire” for us, by this paragraph,  Regional Developer assigns ownership of that item, and all related rights to that item, to us and agrees to sign  whatever assignment or other documents we request to evidence our ownership or to help us obtain intellectual  property rights in the item.     “Confidential Information” does not include information, knowledge or know-how which is or becomes  generally known in business consulting industry or which Regional Developer knew from previous business  experience before we provided it to Regional Developer (directly or indirectly) or before Regional Developer  attended our initial training program.  If we include any matter in Confidential Information, anyone who claims that  it is not Confidential Information must prove that the exclusion in this paragraph is fulfilled.    11. ASSIGNABILITY.  11.1 Assignability by Company.    (a) We shall have the right, but not the obligation, to cause a subsidiary or affiliate of ours to  perform any or all of our obligations and exercise any or all of our rights under this Agreement and under any    20    Franchise Agreement, and to require regional Developer to perform any or all of its obligations hereunder, in favor  or such subsidiary or affiliate, by delivery of written Notice thereof to Regional Developer.      (b) We shall have the right to assign this Agreement, or any of our rights and privileges under  this Agreement to any other person, firm or corporation, other than a subsidiary or affiliate of ours, without  Regional Developer’s prior consent, and we shall not be liable for any obligations accruing under this Agreement  after the effective date of such assignment; provided the assignee shall expressly assume and agree to perform our  obligations under this Agreement and is reasonably capable of performing them.    11.2 Assignments by Regional Developer.    (a) We have entered into this Agreement in reliance upon and in consideration of the singular  personal skills, character, aptitude, business ability, financial capacity and qualifications of Regional Developer and  the trust and confidence reposed in Regional Developer or, in the case of a business entity Regional Developer, its  owners (individually, an “Owner”).  Therefore, neither Regional Developer’s interest in this Agreement nor any of  its rights or privileges hereunder shall be assigned or transferred, voluntarily or involuntarily, in whole or in part, by  operation of law or otherwise, in any manner, without our prior written approval.     (b) Any assignment or transfer without our approval is a breach of this Agreement and has no  effect.  In this Agreement, the term “transfer” includes any voluntary, involuntary, direct or indirect assignment,  sale, gift or other disposition and includes the following events:    (1) transfer of record or beneficial ownership of capital stock in Regional Developer  (if Regional Developer is a corporation), a partnership or membership interest (if Regional Developer is a  partnership or limited liability company), or any other ownership interest or right to receive all or a portion of  Regional Developer’s profits or losses;    (2) a merger, consolidation or exchange of shares or other ownership interests, or   issuance of additional ownership interest or securities representing or potentially representing shares or other  ownership interests, or a redemption of shares or other ownership interests;     (3) any sale or exchange of voting interests or securities convertible to voting interests,  or any agreement granting the right to exercise or control the exercise of the voting rights of any owner or to control  Regional Developer’s operations or affairs;      (4) transfer of an interest in Regional Developer, this Agreement, or Regional  Developer Business or its assets (or any right to receive all or a portion of Regional Developer’s or the Regional  Development Business’ profits or losses or any capital appreciation relating to the Regional Development Business)  in a divorce, insolvency or entity dissolution proceeding, or otherwise by operation of law;     (5) if Regional Developer or an Owner (if Regional Developer is a business entity)  dies, transfer of an interest in Regional Developer, this Agreement, or the Regional Development Business or its  assets (or any right to receive all or a portion of Regional Developer’s or the Regional Development Business’  profits or losses or any capital appreciation relating to the Regional Development business) by will, declaration or  transfer in trust, or under the law of intestate succession; or     (6) pledge of this Agreement (to someone other than us) or of an ownership interest in  Regional Developer (if Regional Developer is a business entity) as security, foreclosure upon the development area  franchises, or Regional Developer’s transfer, surrender or loss of the area development franchise possession,  control or management.    11.3 Conditions for Approval of Assignment or Transfer.  We may impose any reasonable condition(s)  to the granting of our consent to such assignments.  Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the imposition  by us of any or all of the following conditions to our consent to any such assignment shall be deemed to be    21    reasonable:    (a) that the assignee (or the principal officers, shareholders, directors or general partners of the  assignee in the case of a business entity assignee) demonstrates that it has the skill, qualifications and economic  resources necessary, in our judgment, reasonably exercised, to own and operate the Regional Developer Business;    (b) that Regional Developer has paid all amounts owed to us;    (c) that the assignee shall expressly assume in writing for our benefit all of the obligations of  Regional Developer under this Agreement and any other agreements proposed to be assigned to such assignee;    (d) that neither the assignee nor its owners or affiliates operates, has an ownership interest in  or performs services for a Competitive Business (defined in Section 12.2);    (e) that the assignee shall have completed (or agreed to complete) our training program;    (f) that the assignee signs our then current form of Regional Developer Agreement, the  provisions of which may differ materially from any and all of those contained in this Agreement, and the term of  which shall be the remaining term of this Agreement;     (g) that as of the date of any such assignment, the assignor shall have strictly complied with all  of its obligations to us, whether under this Agreement or any other agreement, arrangement or understanding with  us;    (h) that the assignee is not then in default of any of the obligation to us under any agreement  between such assignee and us;    (i) that the assignor shall pay to us a transfer fee of Ten Thousand Dollars ($10,000) per  transfer, except for transfers pursuant to Section 11.4 below;    (j) that the assignor and the assignor’s spouse (if any) shall sign a general release, in a form  satisfactory to us, of any and all claims against us and our affiliates and our and their respective shareholders,  officers, directors, employees, representatives, agents, successors and assigns; and    (k) that assignor will not directly or indirectly at any time or in any manner identify himself,  herself or itself or any business as a current or former Franchise or as one of our Franchisees or Regional  Developers, use any Mark, any colorable imitation of a Mark, or other indicia of a Location Franchise or Regional  Developer Business in any manner or for any purpose, or utilize for any purpose any trade name, trademark, service  mark or other commercial symbol that suggests or indicates a connection or association with us.     Regional Developer shall not in any event have the right to pledge, encumber, charge, hypothecate or  otherwise give any third party a security interest in this Agreement in any manner whatsoever without our express  prior written permission, which permission may be withheld for any reason whatsoever in our sole subjective  judgment.       11.4 Assignment to Entity Principally Controlled By You.  The Regional Developer franchise business  and its assets and liabilities may be assigned to a newly-formed corporation or other legal entity that conducts no  business other than the operation of the franchise and in which you and any of your principals own and control in  the aggregate not less than ninety percent (90%) of the equity and voting power of all outstanding capital stock or  ownership interest, provided as follows:    (a) that the proposed transferee complies with the provisions of this Agreement; and     (b) that you are empowered to act for said corporation or other legal entity; and  

 

  22      (c) that you shall submit to us documentation that we may reasonably request to effectuate the  transfer, including the approving and acknowledging execution of this Agreement; and     (d) that you shall submit to us a true and complete list of the shareholders, members or  partners, showing number of shares or interests owned, and a list of the officers and directors if a corporation or  managers if a limited liability company, or managing partners if a partnership.  We shall be promptly notified of  any changes in said lists; and    (e) that all certificates of shares or interests issued by transferee at any time shall be endorsed  thereon the appropriate legend to conform with state law, referring to this Agreement  by date and name of parties  hereto and stating “Transfer to This Certificate is Limited by the Terms and Conditions of a Regional Development  Agreement dated ____________________;” and    (f) that a copy of this Agreement shall be given to every shareholder, member or partner; and    (g) that a copy of the organizational documents and any corporate resolutions and a Certificate  of Good Standing will be furnished to us at our reasonable request, and prompt notification in writing of any  amendments thereto will be provided to us; and    (h) that the number of shares or interests issued or outstanding in the transferee will not be  increased or decreased without prior written Notice to us, which notice will in its terms guarantee compliance with  this Agreement.  In addition, new shareholders, members of partners must be approved by us and agree to be bound  by this entire Agreement.  Shareholders, members or partners may make a separate agreement among them  providing for purchase by the survivors of them of the shares of any shareholders or interests of any members or  partners upon death, or other agreements affecting ownership or voting rights, so long as voting control and a  majority representation of the board of directors or members or partners remains with those individuals who  initially applied for and were approved as Franchisees under this Agreement.  Shareholders, members or partners  must notify us in writing of any such agreement that affects control of the transferee.    11.5 Death or Disability.    (a) Upon the death or disability of Regional Developer or an Owner, the executor,  administrator, conservator, guardian or other personal representative must assign, sell, or transfer Regional  Developer’s interest in this Agreement, the Regional Developer Business and its assets, or the Owner’s ownership  interest in Regional Developer, to a third party approved by us.  That transfer (including, without limitation,  transfer by bequest or inheritance) must occur, subject to our rights, within a reasonable time, not to exceed nine (9)  months from the date of death or disability, and is subject to all of the terms and conditions in this Section 11.  A  failure to transfer such interest within this time period is a breach of this Agreement.  The term “disability” means a  mental or physical disability, impairment or condition that is reasonably expected to prevent or actually does  prevent Regional Developer from supervising the Development Area management and operation for ninety (90) or  more consecutive days.    (b) If, upon the death or disability of Regional Developer or an Owner, a trained manager who  we approve is not managing the day-to-day operations, then the executor, administrator, conservator, guardian or  other personal representative must, within a reasonable time not to exceed thirty (30) days from the date of death or  disability, appoint a manager that we must approve to operate the Regional Developer Business.  The manager  must, at Regional Developer’s or the Owner’s estate’s expense, satisfactorily complete the training we designate  with the specified time period.    11.6 Company’s Right of First Refusal.  If Regional Developer at any time determines to sell or transfer  an interest in this Agreement or the Regional Developer Business, or if Owner determines to sell or transfer a  controlling ownership interest in Regional Developer, then Regional Developer or the Owner, as applicable (the  “Seller”) must obtain from a responsible and fully disclosed buyer, and send us a true and complete copy of a bona    23    fide, executed written offer relating exclusively to an interest in Regional Developer or this Agreement and the  Regional Developer Business.  The offer must include details of the payment terms of the proposed sale and the  sources and terms of any financing for the proposed purchase price.  To be a valid, bona fide offer, the proposed  purchase price must be in a fixed dollar amount and without any contingent payments of purchase price (such as  earn-out payments).    We may, by delivering written Notice to the Seller within sixty (60) days after we receive both an exact  copy of the offer and all other information requested, elect to purchase the interest for the price and on the terms  and conditions contained in the offer, provided that: (1) we may substitute cash for any form or payment proposed  in the offer; (2) our credit will be deemed equal to the credit of any proposed buyer; (3) the closing will be not less  than sixty (60) days after notifying the Seller of our election to purchase or, if later, the closing date proposed in the  offer; (4) we will be entitled to purchase the interest through the use of our then-current standard form of asset  purchase agreement; and (5) we must receive, and the Seller agrees to make, all customary representations and  warranties, given by the seller of the assets of a business or ownership interests in a legal entity, as applicable,  including, without limitation, representations and warranties regarding ownership and condition of, and title to,  assets and (if applicable) ownership interests and validity of contracts and the liabilities, contingent on otherwise,  relating to the assets or ownership interests being purchased. We will have the right during such sixty (60) day  period to request documentation related to the offer, including without limitation financial and legal information  related to the purchase of the interest. The thirty (30) day period shall be extended in the event you fail to provide  us with the requested documentation. Our purchase of the interest may require financial accounting audits of the  interest to ensure our compliance with state and federal financial reporting requirements.  If we exercise our right of  first refusal, the Seller agrees that, for two (2) years beginning on the closing date, the Seller and members of its  immediate family will be bound by the non-competition covenant contained in Section 12.2 below.    If we do not exercise our right of first refusal, the Seller may complete the sale to the proposed buyer on the  original offer’s terms, subject to our approval of the transfer as provided above.  If the Seller does not complete the  sale to the proposed buyer within sixty (60) days after we notify the Seller that we do not intend to exercise our  right of first refusal, or if there is a material change in the terms of the sale (which the Seller must let us know  promptly), we will have an additional right of first refusal during the sixty (60) day period following either the  expiration of the sixty (60) day period or receipt of Notice of the material change(s) in the sale’s terms, either on  the terms originally offered or the modified terms, at our option.    11.7 Ownership Structure.  Regional Developer represents and warrants that all persons holding direct  or indirect, legal or beneficial ownership interests in Regional Developer (collectively, the “Owners’”) are listed in  Exhibit 3 and that its ownership structure is as set forth on Exhibit 3.  In consideration of, and as an inducement to,  the execution of this Agreement, each Owner of the Regional Developer and their respective spouses shall  personally and unconditionally sign our form Guaranty and Acceptance of Obligations (Exhibit 4), guaranteeing to  us and our successors and assigns that the Regional Developer will punctually pay and perform each and every  undertaking, agreement and covenant set forth in the Agreement; and agreeing to be personally bound by, and  personally liable for the breach of, each and every provision in the Agreement.  Regional Developer shall not  change its ownership structure without complying with all of the terms and conditions of this Section 11.  Within  ten (10) days of any change in Regional Developer’s ownership structure, Regional Developer shall submit a  revised Exhibit 3 to us showing the new ownership structure, and any new Owners shall sign our form Owner’s  Guaranty and assumption of Obligations (Exhibit 4).     12. NON-COMPETITION.    12.1 In Term – Exclusive Relationship.  Franchisor has entered into this Agreement with Regional  Developer on the condition that, except as Franchisor shall approve in writing, Regional Developer will deal  exclusively with Franchisor insofar as any business defined below as a Competitive Business.  Franchisor  acknowledges that Regional Developer may perform similar service for other franchise systems or engage in  unrelated business activities, however, without violating the terms of this Agreement.  If the Regional Developer is  engaged in any other business activities, Regional Developer shall disclose such business activities to Franchisor in  writing prior to signing this Agreement.      24      Regional Developer acknowledges and agrees that Franchisor would be unable to protect its Confidential  Information and would be unable to encourage a free exchange of ideas and information among Regional  Developers and Franchisor if Regional Developers were permitted to hold an interest in any Competitive Business.  Regional Developer therefore agrees that, after the Effective Date of this Agreement, without the prior written  approval of Franchisor, which approval may be withheld by Franchisor in Franchisor’s sole and absolute discretion,  neither Regional Developer, Regional Developer’s shareholders, members or partners who participate in the  management of Regional Developer, nor Regional Developer’s spouse, and, if applicable, the Operating Principal  shall:     (a) have any direct or indirect interest as a disclosed or beneficial owner in a “Competitive Business”,  which shall be defined as a business operating or granting franchises or licenses to others to operate any business  other than those licenses by franchisor;    (b) perform services as a director, officer, manager, employee, consultant, representative, agent or  otherwise for a Competitive Business, wherever located or operating;    (c) divert or attempt to divert any business related to, or any customer or account of, the Regional  Developer Business, Franchisor’s business or any other Regional Developer’s or Franchisees’ Business, by direct  inducement or otherwise.    Notwithstanding the foregoing, (i) Regional Developer shall not be prohibited from owning securities in a  Competitive Business if such securities are listed on a stock exchange or traded on the over-the-counter market and  represent five percent (5%) or less of that class of securities issued and outstanding; (ii) Regional Developer will  not be deemed to be operating a Competitive Business, as that term is defined above, if the Regional Developer  operates a The Joint Location Franchise under an approved Franchise Agreement.    12.2 Post-Term.  For a eighteen (18) month period following the assignment, expiration or termination  of this Agreement, for any reason, neither Regional Developer, any Owner, nor any member of Regional  Developer’s or an Owner’s immediate family will have any direct or indirect interest (e.g., through a spouse) as a  disclosed or beneficial owner, investor, partner, director, officer, employee, consultant, representative or agent, or  in any other capacity, in any Competitive Business located or operating: (a) within the Development Area; (b)  within the development area of any of our other regional developers, (c) within twenty-five (25) miles of any  Location Franchise or Regional Developer franchise or in operation or development on the date of assignment,  expiration or termination; or (d) within any unsold development areas.  The term “Competitive Business” means  any business in which you perform the franchise development/sales, training and/or operational support  responsibilities for a pain management franchise or license brand, or if you currently have an independent  chiropractic clinic that uses a non-insurance based/membership model.    13. TERMINATION.    13.1 Termination by You.    You may terminate this Agreement due to a material default of our obligations hereunder, which default is  not cured by us within sixty (60) days after our receipt of prompt written Notice by you to us detailing the alleged  default with specificity.  Failure to give such Notice within thirty (30) days of having actual or constructive  knowledge of the alleged default shall constitute a waiver by you of any such alleged default.  If you terminate this  Agreement pursuant to this Section 13.1, you shall comply with all of this Agreement’s post termination covenants,  terms and conditions.  So long as we have performed our obligations as stated within this Agreement, you hereby  agree and irrevocably waive any rights you may possess under this Agreement or any applicable law to terminate or  rescind this Agreement.    13.2 Termination by Company.        25    (a) With Notice and Opportunity to Cure.    (xvii) Except for any default under Section 13.2(a)(ii), Section 13.2(b) or by applicable  law, you shall have sixty (60) days after our written Notice of default within which to remedy any default under this  Agreement, and to provide evidence of such remedy to us.  If any such default is not cured within that time period,  or such longer time period as applicable law may require or as we may specify in the notice of default, this  Agreement and all rights granted by it shall thereupon automatically terminate without further notice or opportunity  to cure.  (xviii) If you do not strictly comply with the Minimum Development Obligation at any  time during the term of this Agreement (except during such time when we shall have relieved you of your sales  responsibilities in accordance with Section 2.1(g)), then it shall be your sole responsibility to incorporate within  your annual business plan (required under Section 6.11(b)) an action plan for curing your default of the Minimum  Development Obligation.  Your failure to fully cure a default of the Minimum Development Obligation within six  (6) months of such default shall cause an immediate termination of this Agreement, without any further opportunity  to cure.    (b) Without Opportunity to Cure.      Subject to any controlling applicable laws to the contrary, you shall be deemed to be in material  default and we may, at our option, terminate this Agreement and all rights granted hereunder, without affording you  any opportunity to cure the default, effective immediately upon delivery or attempted delivery to you of Notice by  us of the occurrence of any of the following events:    (xix) You are adjudicated bankrupt or judicially determined to be insolvent (subject to  any contrary provisions of any applicable state or federal laws), or fail to meet your financial obligations as they  become due, or make a disposition for the benefit of your creditors.  (xx) You or any of your Owners allows a judgment against you or them in an amount of  more than $50,000 arising out of your duties under this Agreement that remains unsatisfied for a period of more  than thirty (30) days (unless an appeal bond has been filed).  (xxi) Your assets are seized, taken over or foreclosed by a government official in the  exercise of its duties, or seized, taken over, or foreclosed by a creditor or lien holder provided that a final judgment  against the you remains unsatisfied for thirty (30) days (unless an appeal bond has been filed).  (xxii) A levy of execution or attachment has been made upon the franchise rights granted  by this Agreement or upon any property used in your business, and it is not discharged within eleven (11) days of  your receipt of notice of such levy or attachment.  (xxiii) If any judgment is entered against us or our subsidiaries or affiliated corporations,  arising out of or relating to your operation of your business and if you are obligated to indemnify us pursuant to  Section 15.2 and such judgment is not satisfied or stayed pending appeal by us or by our subsidiaries or affiliated  companies.  (xxiv) You abandon your business.  Abandonment in this context means any action or  omission that demonstrates your intention to permanently relinquish and renounce your rights and duties under this  Agreement.  (xxv) You receive three (3) or more written notices of default from us, within any period  of twelve (12) consecutive months, concerning any material breach by you, whether or not such breaches shall have  been cured, such repeated course of conduct shall itself be grounds for termination of this Agreement without  further notice or opportunity to cure.  (xxvi) You (or any of your owners) participate in in-term competition contrary to  

 

  26    Section 12.1.  (xxvii) You or any of your Owners, officers or directors is convicted of or pleads guilty or  nolo contendere to a felony or any other crime or offense that is  likely, in our reasonable business judgment, to  adversely affect our reputation, the franchise system, the Marks or the goodwill associated therewith, or our interest  therein.  (xxviii) You purport, threaten, or take any action to make an assignment or transfer without  our prior written consent or otherwise that will violate Section 11 of this Agreement.  (xxix) You materially misuse or make any unauthorized use of the Marks or otherwise  materially impair the goodwill associated therewith or our rights therein, or take any action that reflects materially  and unfavorably upon the operation and reputation of the Company or the Company’s network generally.  (xxx) Your unauthorized use, disclosure, or duplication of the Confidential Information,  excluding independent acts of employees or others if you shall have exercised commercially-reasonable efforts to  prevent such disclosures or use.  (xxxi) You make any material misrepresentations in connection with the application for,  execution of, or performance under this Agreement.    13.3 Rights and Obligations Upon Termination or Expiration.      (a) Except to the extent that you have rights (if any) granted under a Franchise  Agreement that has not terminated or expired, upon expiration or termination of this Agreement,  you shall immediately take such action as we may require to accomplish the following:  (xxxii) Cease to assist in the sale of The Joint® franchises, cease to use the system and  Marks in any form, cease to hold yourself out as an Regional Developer of us and you shall not use or identify in  any business name, any of the words “The Joint®”, “The Joint® Chiropractic”, or “The Joint...the chiropractic  place®”; or any combination of such Marks or words, in any combination, form or fashion.  (xxxiii) Pay all sums due to us, including but not limited to all obligations, trade accounts,  promissory notes, financing agreements and equipment leases owing to us.  (xxxiv) Submit such reports as we require, including but not limited to profit and loss  statements for the two (2) year period preceding the date of termination or expiration.  (xxxv) Return to us or to our designee the Manuals, Confidential Information, proprietary  hardware, software, computer disks and all other trade secrets, trade dress, and other information and instructions  delivered to you and all copies thereof.  (xxxvi) Surrender to us such stationery, printed matter, signs and advertising materials  containing the “The Joint®”, “The Joint® Chiropractic”, and/or “The Joint...the chiropractic place®” names and/or  Marks.  (xxxvii)      Transfer, assign disconnect and forward the business telephone number, fax  number, business Internet e-mail address and any other identifying information, listings or commercial holding out  for your business to us or our designee.  You shall not be required to transfer and assign to us any home or personal  telephone number, fax number or e-mail address.  (xxxviii) Transfer your “white” and “yellow” page telephone listings, references and  advertisements and all trade and similar name registrations and business licenses and cancel any interest which you  may have in the same.    27    (xxxix) Promptly take any action necessary to cancel any assumed name or equivalent  registration that contains the mark “The Joint®”, “The Joint® Chiropractic”, and/or “The Joint...the chiropractic  place®”; , or any other Mark, and submit to us proof of compliance with this obligation.  (b) Upon termination or expiration of this Agreement, all monies earned or payable to us on  account of Franchisees within the Development Area shall belong solely to us and you hereby forfeit any and all  rights to the same upon the termination or expiration of the Agreement.  Such monies shall not include unpaid  obligations of us to you, which monies will be paid by us to you after we have first deducted any monies owed by  you to us.  (c) In the event of termination or expiration of this Agreement, you hereby authorize and  appoint us or our designee to act as special agent or attorney-in-fact for you to transfer any listed telephone and fax  numbers, transfer “white” pages and “yellow” pages listings, e-mail address, Internet presence and any other  identifying information, listings or commercial holding out relating to your business and to enforce the conditional  assignment of same to you or to our designee.  (d) In the event of termination or expiration of this Agreement, you hereby authorize us to  notify Franchisees, your customers, vendors, suppliers, landlord, banks, local advertisers and any other appropriate  third-party that this Agreement has been terminated.  (e) In the event of a termination or expiration of this Agreement, you hereby authorize and  acknowledge that we will disclose your name, your address, your phone number, and other applicable information  pursuant to any applicable law in all future Franchise Disclosure Documents.  13.4 Reserved.    13.5 General Provisions.  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Section 13, in the  event any valid applicable law of a competent Governmental Authority having jurisdiction over this Agreement and  the parties hereto shall limit our rights of termination hereunder or shall require longer notice or cure periods than  those set forth above, this Agreement shall be deemed amended to conform to the minimum notice or cure periods  or restrictions upon termination required by such laws and regulations.  The parties shall not, however, be  precluded from contesting the validity, enforceability or application of such laws or regulations in any action,  hearing or dispute relating to this Agreement or the termination thereof.  Our rights as stated in this Section 13 shall  be without prejudice to any other rights or remedies provided by law or under this Agreement which include, but  are not limited to, injunctive relief, damages or specific performance.  Our failure to terminate this Agreement upon  the occurrence of one or more of the above events shall not constitute a waiver or otherwise affect our right to  terminate this Agreement because of any other occurrence of one or more of the events set forth above.    14. MEDIATION AND LITIGATION.    14.1 MEDIATION.  MEDIATION. DURING THE TERM OF THIS AGREEMENT CERTAIN  DISPUTES MAY ARISE THAT YOU AND WE ARE UNABLE TO RESOLVE, BUT THAT MAY BE  RESOLVABLE THROUGH MEDIATION. TO FACILITATE SUCH RESOLUTION, YOU AND WE AGREE  TO SUBMIT ANY CLAIM, CONTROVERSY OR DISPUTE BETWEEN US OR ANY OF OUR AFFILIATES  (AND THEIR RESPECTIVE OWNERS, OFFICERS, DIRECTORS, AGENTS, REPRESENTATIVES AND/OR  EMPLOYEES) AND YOU (AND YOUR OWNERS, AGENTS, OFFICERS, DIRECTORS,   REPRESENTATIVES AND/OR EMPLOYEES) ARISING OUT OF OR RELATED TO (a) THIS AGREEMENT  OR ANY OTHER AGREEMENT BETWEEN US AND YOU, (b) OUR RELATIONSHIP WITH YOU, OR (c)  THE VALIDITY OF THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OTHER AGREEMENT BETWEEN US AND YOU, TO  MEDIATION BEFORE EITHER OF US MAY BRING ANY SUCH CLAIM, CONTROVERSY OR DISPUTE  IN  COURT.     (a) THE MEDIATION SHALL BE CONDUCTED BY A MEDIATOR THAT YOU AND  WE MUTUALLY SELECT FROM THE THEN CURRENT PANEL APPROVED BY THE AMERICAN  ARBITRATION ASSOCIATION (“AAA”) FOR PHOENIX, ARIZONA OR AS WE AND YOU OTHERWISE    28    AGREE.  IN THE EVENT WE ARE UNABLE TO REACH AGREEMENT ON A MEDIATOR WITHIN  FIFTEEN (15) DAYS AFTER EITHER PARTY HAS NOTIFIED THE OTHER OF ITS DESIRE TO SEEK  MEDIATION, YOU AND WE AGREE THAT THE MEDIATOR MAY BE SELECTED BY THE AAA BASED  ON SELECTION CRITERIA THAT YOU OR WE SUPPLY TO THE AAA.  THE COSTS AND EXPENSES OF  THE MEDIATION, INCLUDING THE MEDIATOR’S COMPENSATION AND EXPENSES (BUT  EXCLUDING ATTORNEYS’ FEES INCURRED BY EITHER PARTY), SHALL BE BORNE BY THE  PARTIES EQUALLY.    (b) NOTWITHSTANDING THE FOREGOING PROVISIONS OF THIS SECTION 14.1,  YOUR AND OUR AGREEMENT TO MEDIATE SHALL NOT APPLY TO ANY CONTROVERSIES,  DISPUTES OR CLAIMS RELATED TO OR BASED ON THE MARKS OR THE CONFIDENTIAL  INFORMATION. MOREOVER, REGARDLESS OF YOUR AND OUR AGREEMENT TO MEDIATE, YOU  AND WE EACH HAVE THE RIGHT TO SEEK TEMPORARY RESTRAINING ORDERS AND TEMPORARY  OR PRELIMINARY INJUNCTIVE RELIEF IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES OF THE  DISPUTE.    14.2 JURISDICTION AND FORUM SELECTION. WITH RESPECT TO ANY CONTROVERSIES,  DISPUTES OR CLAIMS THAT ARE NOT FULLY RESOLVED THROUGH MEDIATION AS PROVIDED IN  SECTION 14.1 ABOVE, THE PARTIES IRREVOCABLY AGREE TO SUBMIT THEMSELVES TO THE  JURISDICTION OF THE SUPERIOR COURT OF MARICOPA COUNTY, ARIZONA OR THE U.S. DISTRICT  COURT FOR THE DISTRICT OF ARIZONA AND HEREBY WAIVE ANY AND ALL OBJECTIONS TO  PERSONAL OR SUBJECT MATTER JURISDICTION IN THESE COURTS.  YOU AND WE FURTHER  AGREE THAT VENUE FOR ANY PROCEEDING RELATING TO OR ARISING OUT OF THIS  AGREEMENT SHALL BE THE COURTS OF MARICOPA COUNTY, ARIZONA.    15. GENERAL CONDITIONS AND PROVISIONS.    15.1 Relationship of Regional Developer to Company.  It is expressly agreed that the parties intend by  this Agreement to establish between us and Regional Developer the relationship of franchisor and franchisee.   Except as expressly provided herein, it is further agreed that Regional Developer has no authority to create or  assume in our name or on our behalf, any obligation, express or implied, or to act or purport to act as agent or  representative on our behalf for any purpose whatsoever.  In no event shall either party be deemed to be fiduciaries  of the other.  Neither we nor Regional Developer is the employer, employee, agent, partner or co-venturer of or  with the other, each being independent contractors.  Regional Developer agrees that it will not hold himself out as  the agent, employee, partner or co-venturer of ours, or as having any of the aforesaid authority.  All Employees  hired by or working for Regional Developer shall be the employees of Regional Developer and shall not, for any  purpose, be deemed employees of us or subject to our control.    15.2 Indemnification.  To the fullest extent permitted by law, Regional Developer agrees to indemnify,  defend and hold harmless us, our affiliates, and our and their respective shareholders, directors, officers, employees,  agents, representatives, successors and assigns (the “Indemnified Parties”) from and against, and to reimburse any  one or more of the Indemnified Parties for any and all claims, obligations and damages directly or indirectly arising  out of: (1) the Regional Developer Business conducted by Regional Developer pursuant to this Agreement, (2)  Regional Developer’s breach of this Agreement, or (3) Regional Developer’s non-compliance or alleged non- compliance with any law, ordinance, rule or regulation.  For purposes of this indemnification, “claims” include all  obligations, damages (actual, consequential, punitive or otherwise) and costs that any Indemnified Party reasonably  incurs in defending any claim against it, including, without limitation, reasonable accountants’, arbitrators’,  attorneys’ and expert witness’ fees, costs of investigation and proof of facts, court costs, travel and living expenses  and other expenses of litigation, arbitration or alternative dispute resolution, regardless of whether litigation or  alternative dispute resolution is commenced.  Each Indemnified Party may defend and control the defense of any  claim against it which is subject to this indemnification at Regional Developer’s expense, and Regional Developer  may not settle any claim or take any other remedial, corrective or other actions relating to any claim without our  consent. This indemnity will continue in full force and effect subsequent to and notwithstanding this Agreement’s  expiration or termination.  An Indemnified Party need not seek recovery from an insurer or other third party, or    29    otherwise mitigate its losses and expenses, in order to maintain and recover fully a claim against Regional  Developer.  Regional Developer agrees that a failure to pursue a recovery or mitigate a loss will not reduce or alter  the amounts that an Indemnified Party may recover from Regional Developer.    15.3 Waiver and Delay.  Except as otherwise expressly provided to the contrary, no waiver by us of any  breach or series of breaches or defaults in performance by the Regional Developer, and no failure, refusal or neglect  of or by us to exercise any right, power or option given to us under this Agreement or under any other agreement   between us and Regional Developer, whether entered into before, after or contemporaneously with the execution of  this Agreement (and whether or not related to this Agreement) or to insist upon strict compliance with or  performance of the Regional Developer’s obligations under this Agreement or any other agreement between us and  Regional Developer, whether entered into before, after or contemporaneously with the execution of this Agreement  (and whether or not related to this Agreement), shall constitute a novation, or a waiver of the provisions of this  Agreement with respect to any subsequent breach thereof or a waiver of our right at any time thereafter to require  exact and strict compliance with the provisions thereof.    15.4 Survival of Covenants.  The covenants contained in this Agreement which, by their terms, require  performance by the parties after the expiration or termination of this Agreement or ancillary agreements, shall be  enforceable notwithstanding said expiration or other termination of this Agreement for any reason whatsoever.    15.5 Successors and Assigns.  This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the legal  representatives, successors and assigns of us and Regional Developer.    15.6 Joint and Several Liability.  If either party consists of more than one person or entity, or a  combination thereof, the obligations and liabilities of each such person or entity to the other under this Agreement  are joint and several.    15.7 Governing Law.  Except to the extent governed by the United States Trademark Act of 1946  (Lanham Act, 15 U.S.C. §§ 1051 et seq.), this Agreement and the Regional Developer franchise will be governed  by the internal laws of the State of Arizona (without reference to its choice of law and conflict of law rules), except  that the provisions of any Arizona law relating to the offer and sale of business opportunities or franchises or  governing the relationship of a franchisor and its franchisees will not apply unless their jurisdictional requirements  are met independently without reference to this Paragraph.  You agree that we may institute any action against you  arising out of or relating to this Agreement (which is not required to be mediated hereunder or as to which  mediation is waived) in any state or federal court of general jurisdiction in Maricopa County, Arizona, and you  irrevocably submit to the jurisdiction of such courts and waive any objection you may have to either the jurisdiction  or venue of such court.    15.8 Consent to Jurisdiction.  Subject to Section 14 and the provisions below, Regional Developer and  its owners agree that all actions arising under this Agreement or otherwise as a result of the relationship between  Regional Developer and us must be commenced in the State of Arizona, and in the state or federal court of general  jurisdiction closest to where our principal business address then is located, and Regional Developer (and its  Owners) irrevocably submits to the jurisdiction of those courts and waives any objection Regional Developer (or its  owners) might have with either the jurisdiction of or venue in those courts. Nonetheless, Regional Developer and  any of its Owners agree that we may enforce this Agreement and any arbitration orders and awards in the courts of  the state or states in which Regional Developer or its Owners are domiciled.    15.9 Waiver of Punitive Damages and Jury Trial.  Except for Regional Developer’s obligation to  indemnify us under Section 15.2 above and except where authorized by federal statute, we and Regional Developer  and its Owners waive to the fullest extent permitted by law any right to or claim for any punitive or exemplary  damages against the other and agree that, in the event of a dispute between us and Regional Developer, the party  making a claim will be limited to equitable relief and to recovery of any actual damages it sustains.  We and  Regional Developer irrevocably waive trial by jury in any action, proceeding or counterclaim, whether at law or in  equity, brought by either party.     

 

  30    15.10 Limitation of Claims.  Any and all claims arising out of or relating to this Agreement or our  relationship with Regional Developer, except for claims for indemnification under Section 15.2 above, will be  barred unless a judicial proceeding is commenced within one (1) year from the date on which the party asserting the  claim knew or should have known of the facts giving rise to the claims.    15.11 Entire Agreement.  This Agreement and the Exhibits incorporated in the Agreement contain all of  the terms and conditions agreed upon by the parties to this Agreement with reference to the subject matter of this  Agreement. No other agreements, and all prior agreements, understanding and representations are merged in this  Agreement and superseded by this Agreement.  Each party represents to the other that there are no  contemporaneous agreements or understandings between the parties relating to the subject matter of this Agreement  that are not contained in this Agreement.  This Agreement cannot be modified or changed except by written  instrument signed by all of the parties to this Agreement, provided that we may modify or amend the Manuals at  any time without notice to, or approval of, Regional Developer or any other person.  Nothing in this Agreement  shall have the effect of disclaiming any of the information in the Franchise Disclosure Document or its attachments  or addenda.      15.12 Title for Convenience. Article and Section titles used in this Agreement are for convenience only  and shall not be deemed to affect the meaning or construction of any of the terms, provisions, covenants or  conditions of this Agreement.    15.13 Gender.  All terms used in any one number or gender shall extend to mean and include any other  number and gender as the facts, context or sense of this Agreement or any section or paragraph hereof may require.    15.14 Severability.  Except as expressly provided to the contrary in this Agreement, each Section,  paragraph, term and provision of this Agreement in severable, and if, for any reason, any part thereof, to be invalid  or contrary to or in conflict with any applicable present or future law and regulation in a final, unappealable ruling  issued by any court, agency or tribunal with competent jurisdiction, that ruling will not impair the operation or, or  otherwise affect, any other portions of this Agreement, which will continue to have full force and effect and bind  the parties.  If any covenant which restricts competitive activity is deemed unenforceable by virtue of its scope in  terms of area, business activity prohibited, and/or length of time, but would be enforceable if modified, we and  Regional Developer agree that the covenant will be enforced to the fullest extent permissible under the laws and  public policies applied in the jurisdiction whose law determines the covenant’s validity.  If any applicable and  binding law or rule of any jurisdiction requires more notice than this Agreement requires of this Agreement’s  termination or of our refusal to enter into a successor agreement, or if, under any applicable and binding law or rule  of any jurisdiction, any provision of this Agreement is invalid or unenforceable or unlawful, the notice and/or other  action required by the law or rule will be substituted for the comparable provisions of this Agreement, and we may  modify the invalid or unenforceable provisions to the extent required to be valid and enforceable or delete the  unlawful provision in its entirety.  Regional Developer agrees to be bound by any promise or covenant imposing the  maximum duty the law permits which is subsumed within any provision of this Agreement, as though it were  separately articulated in and made a part of this Agreement.     15.15 Fees and Expenses.  Should any party to this Agreement commence any action or proceeding for  the purpose of enforcing, or preventing the breach of, any provision of this Agreement, whether by arbitration,  judicial or quasi-judicial action or otherwise, or for damages for any alleged breach of any provision of this  Agreement, or for a declaration of such party’s rights or obligations under this Agreement, then the prevailing party  shall be reimbursed by the losing party for all costs and expenses incurred in connection therewith, including, but  not limited to, reasonable attorneys’ fees for the services rendered to such prevailing party.    15.16 Notices.  Except as otherwise expressly provided herein, all written notices and reports permitted  or required to be delivered by the parties pursuant to this Agreement shall be deemed so delivered at the time  delivered by hand, one (1) business day after transmission by mail, via registered or certified mail, return receipt  requested; or one (1) business day after placement with Federal Express, or other reputable air courier service,  requesting delivery on the most expedited basis available, postage prepaid and addressed as follows:      31    If to company:               THE JOINT CORP.  Attention: Eric Simon, VP of Franchise Sales and Development  16767 N. Perimeter Dr., Ste. 110  Scottsdale, AZ 85260  Email: eric.simon@thejoint.com    With a copy to:                                                   If to Regional Developer:                                               With a copy to:                                                 Or to such other addresses any such party may designate by ten (10) days’ advance written notice to the  other party.    15.17 Time of Essence.  Time shall be of the essence for all purposes of this Agreement.    15.18 Lien and Security Interest.  To secure your performance under this Agreement and indebtedness for  all sums due us or our affiliates, we shall have a lien upon, and you hereby grant us a security interest in, the  following collateral and any and all additions, accessions, and substitutions to or for it and the proceeds from all of  the same: (a) all inventory now owned or after-acquired by you and the Regional Developer Business, including but  not limited to all inventory and supplies transferred to or acquired by you in connection with this Agreement; (b) all  accounts of you and/or the Regional Developer Business now existing or subsequently arising, together with all  interest in you and/or the Regional Developer Business, now existing or subsequently arising, together with all  chattel paper, documents, and instruments relating to such accounts; (c) all contract rights of you and/or the  Regional Developer Business, now existing or subsequently arising; and (d) all general intangibles of you and/or  the Regional Developer Business, now owned or existing, or after-acquired or subsequently arising.  You agree to  execute such financing statements, instruments, and other documents, in a form satisfactory to us, that we deem  necessary so that we may establish and maintain a valid security interest in and to these assets.      16. SUBMISSION OF AGREEMENT.    This Agreement shall not be binding upon us unless and until it shall have been submitted to and signed by  our Chief Executive, and the date of said signing as set forth on the first page of this Agreement shall be the  effective date of this Agreement.    17. ACKNOWLEDGMENTS.    To induce us to sign this Agreement and grant Regional Developer the rights hereunder, Regional  Developer acknowledges:  (a) That Regional Developer has independently investigated the Regional Developer Business  franchise opportunity and recognizes that, like any other business, the nature of the Regional Developer Business  may, and probably will, evolve and change over time.    (b) That an investment in a Regional Developer Business involves business risks.       32      (c) That Regional Developer’s business abilities and efforts are vital to Regional Developer’s success.    (d) That performing Regional Developer’s obligations will require a high level of customer service and  strict adherence to the System.    (e) That Regional Developer has not received or relied upon, and we expressly disclaim making any  representation, warranty or guaranty, express or implied, as to the revenues, profits or success of a Regional  Developer Business.    (f) That any information Regional developer has acquired from Franchisees or other regional  developers regarding their sales, profits or cash flows is not information obtained from us, and we make no  representation about that information’s accuracy.     (g) That Regional Developer has no knowledge of any representations made about the Regional  Developer franchise opportunity by us, our subsidiaries or affiliates or any of their respective officers, directors,  shareholders or agents that are contrary to the statements made in our Franchise Disclosure Document or to the  terms and conditions of this Agreement.    (h) That in all of their dealing with Regional Developer, our officers, directors, employees and agents  act only in a representative, and not in an individual capacity and that business dealings between Regional  Developer and them as a result of this Agreement are only between Regional Developer and us.    (i) That Regional Developer has represented to us, to induce us to enter into this Agreement, that all  statements Regional Developer has made and all materials Regional Developer has given to us in acquiring the  franchise are accurate and complete and that Regional Developer has made no misrepresentations or material  omissions in obtaining the franchise.    (j) That Regional Developer has read this Agreement and our Franchise Disclosure Document and  understands and accepts that the terms and covenants in this Agreement are reasonably necessary for us to maintain  our high standards of quality and service, as well as the uniformity of those standards at each Regional Developer  Business and Location Franchise, and to protect and preserve the goodwill of the Marks.           33    IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties to this Agreement have caused this Agreement to be executed as of  the first date set forth above.                                                                                        COMPANY:    THE JOINT CORP.   a Delaware corporation             By:                                                                                              Its:          REGIONAL DEVELOPER:                    By:                                                                                              Its:                                                                        

 

      EXHIBIT 1  DEVELOPMENT AREA      The Development Area referred to in Recital D of this Agreement shall be the following geographic area:                                                                                                                                     EXHIBIT 2    MINIMUM DEVELOPMENT OBLIGATION    DEVELOPMENT SCHEDULE    Your Minimum Development Obligation for the Development Area shall be as follows:  At the dates set forth below, you must have completed a Sale of a Location Franchise within the Development Area  as defined within the Agreement for the following number of Location Franchises indicated (the “Minimum  Development Schedule”):    Development  Period    Date Development  Period Begins    Date Development  Period Ends    Minimum Sales  during Development  Period    Cumulative Location  Franchises at End of  Development Period  Year 1 Effective Date     Year 2      Year 3      Year 4      Year 5      Year 6      Year 7      Year 8      Year 9      Year 10                      EXHIBIT 3    OWNERSHIP STRUCTURE                                                                                                                                 Owner Name and Address                        Number of Shares                      Percentage of                                                                                                                                Ownership    ____________________________                      ______                                     ______    ____________________________    ____________________________        ____________________________                      ______                                     ______    ____________________________    ____________________________        ____________________________                      ______                                     ______    ____________________________    ____________________________        ____________________________                      ______                                     ______    ____________________________    ____________________________                      TOTAL                                                 ______                                       100%            EXHIBIT 4    OWNER'S GUARANTY AND ASSUMPTION OF OBLIGATIONS  In consideration of, and as an inducement to, the execution of the foregoing Regional Developer Agreement dated      , 20___ (“Agreement”) by THE JOINT CORP., a Delaware corporation (“us”), and        (“Regional Developer”), each of the undersigned owners of the Regional  Developer (“Owner”) and their respective spouses (“you”, for purposes of this Guaranty only), hereby personally  and unconditionally (1) guarantees to us and our successors and assigns that the Regional Developer will punctually  pay and perform each and every undertaking, agreement and covenant set forth in the Agreement; and (2) agrees to  be personally bound by, and personally liable for the breach of, each and every provision in the Agreement,  including without limitation, monetary obligations, the obligations to take or refrain from taking certain actions and  arbitration of disputes.  Each of you waives (1) protest and notice of default, demand for payment or nonperformance of any obligations  guaranteed by this Guaranty; (2) any right you may have to require that an action be brought against Regional  Developer or any other person as a condition of your liability; (3) all right to payment or reimbursement from, or  subrogation against, the Regional Developer which you may have arising out of your guaranty of the Regional  Developer's obligations; and (4) any and all other notices and legal or equitable defenses to which you may be  entitled in your capacity as guarantor.  Each of you consents and agrees that (1) your direct and immediate liability under this Guaranty shall be joint and  several; (2) you will make any payment or render any performance required under the Agreement on demand if  Regional Developer fails or refuses to do so when required; (3) your liability will not be contingent or conditioned  on our pursuit of any remedies against Regional Developer or any other person; (4) your liability will not be  diminished, relieved or otherwise affected by any extension of time, credit or other indulgence which we may from  time to time grant to Regional Developer or to any other person, including without limitation, the acceptance of any  partial payment or performance, or the compromise or release of any claims; and (5) this Guaranty will continue  and be irrevocable during the term of the Agreement and afterward for so long as the Regional Developer has any  obligations under the Agreement.  If we are required to enforce this Guaranty in a judicial or arbitration proceeding, and prevail in such proceeding,  we will be entitled to reimbursement of our costs and expenses, including, but not limited to, reasonable  accountants', attorneys', attorneys' assistants', arbitrators' and expert witness fees, costs of investigation and proof of  facts, court costs, other litigation expenses and travel and living expenses, whether incurred prior to, in preparation  for or in contemplation of the filing of any such proceeding.  If we are required to engage legal counsel in  connection with any failure by you to comply with this Guaranty, you agree to reimburse us for any of the above- listed costs and expenses incurred by us.  [Signature Page Follows]     

 

      This Guaranty is now executed as of the Agreement Date.     OWNER: OWNER’S SPOUSE:     ____________________________________ ____________________________________     OWNER: OWNER’S SPOUSE:     ____________________________________ ____________________________________     OWNER: OWNER’S SPOUSE:     ____________________________________ ____________________________________                  EXHIBIT 5    STATE-SPECIFIC ADDENDA    TO REGIONAL DEVELOPER AGREEMENT               CALIFORNIA ADDENDUM TO REGIONAL DEVELOPER AGREEMENT  1. California Business and Professions Code Sections 20000 through 20043 provide rights to the  franchisee concerning termination or non-renewal of a franchise. If the Regional Developer Agreement contains a  provision that is inconsistent with the law, the law will control.   2. The Regional Developer Agreement provides for termination upon bankruptcy. This provision may  not be enforceable under federal bankruptcy law (11 U.S.C.A. Sec. 101 et seq.).  3. The Regional Developer Agreement contains a covenant not to compete, which extends beyond the  termination of the franchise. This provision may not be enforceable under California law.  4. The Regional Developer Agreement requires mediation. The mediation will occur in Maricopa  County, State of Arizona.    Prospective franchisees are encouraged to consult private legal counsel to determine the applicability of  California and federal laws (such as Business and Professions Code Section 20040.5, Code of Civil  Procedure Section 1281, and the Federal Arbitration Act) to any provisions of a Regional Developer  Agreement restricting venue to a forum outside the State of California.   5. The Agreement requires the application of laws of Arizona. This requirement may be  unenforceable under California law.  6. You must sign a general release if you renew or transfer your franchise. California Corporations  Code 31512 voids a waiver of your rights under the Franchise Investment Law (California Corporations Code  31000 through 31516). Business and Professions Code 20010 voids a waiver of your rights under the Franchise  Relations Act (Business and Professions Code 20000 through 20043).  IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have duly executed, sealed and delivered this California Addendum to  the Regional Developer Agreement on the same date as the Regional Developer Agreement was executed.    THE JOINT CORP.   a Delaware corporation     By:         Print Name:        Title:                      REGIONAL DEVELOPER    By:         Print Name:        Title:                HAWAII ADDENDUM TO REGIONAL DEVELOPER AGREEMENT  1. The Regional Developer Agreements contain a provision requiring a general release as a condition  of renewal and transfer of the franchise. Such release will exclude claims arising under the Hawaii Franchise  Investment Law.  2. Any provisions of the Regional Developer Agreement that relate to non-renewal, termination, and  transfer are only applicable if they are not inconsistent with the Hawaii Franchise Investment Law. Otherwise, the  Hawaii Franchise Investment Law will control.  3. The Regional Developer Agreement permits us to terminate the Agreement on the bankruptcy of  you and/or your affiliates. This provision may not be enforceable under federal bankruptcy law. (11 U.S.C. § 101,  et seq.).  4. Each provision of this Addendum will be effective only to the extent, with respect to such  provision, that the jurisdictional requirements of the Hawaii Franchise Investment Law are met independently  without reference to this Addendum.  IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have duly executed, sealed, and delivered this Hawaii  Addendum to the Regional Developer Agreement on the same date as the Regional Developer Agreement was  executed.    THE JOINT CORP.   a Delaware corporation     By:         Print Name:        Title:        REGIONAL DEVELOPER    By:         Print Name:        Title:                

 

      ILLINOIS ADDENDUM TO REGIONAL DEVELOPER AGREEMENT  1. The Regional Developer Agreement contains a provision requiring a general release as a condition  of renewal and transfer of the franchise. Such release will exclude claims arising under the Illinois Franchise  Disclosure Act.  2. Your rights upon Termination and Non-Renewal are set forth in sections 19 and 20 of the Illinois  Franchise Disclosure Act.  3. The Illinois Franchise Disclosure Act will govern the Agreement with respect to Illinois  Franchisees. The provisions of the Agreement concerning governing law, jurisdiction, and venue will not constitute  a waiver of any right conferred on you by the Illinois Franchise Disclosure Act. Consistent with the foregoing, any  provision in the Agreement which designates jurisdiction and venue in a forum outside of Illinois is void with  respect to any cause of action which is otherwise enforceable in Illinois.  4. In conformance with Section 41 of the Illinois Franchise Disclosure Act, any condition, stipulation  or provision purporting to bind any person acquiring any franchise to waive compliance with the Illinois Franchise  Disclosure Act or any other law of Illinois is void.  5. Illinois law governs the Franchise Agreement(s).  6. Nothing in the Agreement will limit or prevent the enforcement of any cause of action otherwise  enforceable in Illinois or arising under the Illinois Franchise Disclosure Act of 1987, as amended.  7. Each provision of this Addendum will be effective only to the extent, with respect to such  provision, that the jurisdictional requirements of the Illinois law applicable to the provision are met independently  without reference to this Addendum.  8. All fees referenced in the Franchise Agreement and Regional Developer Agreement are subject to  deferral pursuant to order of the Illinois Attorney General’s Office based upon their review of our financial  condition as reflected in our financial statements. Accordingly, you will pay no fees to us until we have completed  all of our material pre-opening responsibilities to you and you commence operating the first franchised business.    IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have duly executed, sealed, and delivered this Illinois  Addendum to the Regional Developer Agreement on the same date as the Regional Developer Agreement was  executed.    THE JOINT CORP.   a Delaware corporation     By:         Print Name:        Title:          REGIONAL DEVELOPER    By:         Print Name:        Title:                INDIANA ADDENDUM TO REGIONAL DEVELOPER AGREEMENT  1. Regional Developer Agreement contains a provision requiring a general release as a condition of  renewal and transfer of the franchise. Such provision is inapplicable under the Indiana Deceptive Franchise  Practices Law, IC 23-2-2.7 § 1(5).  2. Under the Regional Developer Agreement you will not be required to indemnify us for any liability  imposed on us as a result of your reliance on or use of procedures or products which were required by us, if such  procedures were utilized by you in the manner required by us.  3. The Regional Developer Agreement is amended to provide that mediation between you and us will  be conducted at a mutually agreed-on location.  4. The Regional Developer Agreement is amended to provide that in the event of a conflict of law, the  Indiana Franchise Disclosure Law, I.C. 23-2-2.5, and the Indiana Deceptive Franchise Practices Law, I.C. 23-2-2.7,  will prevail.  5. Nothing in the Agreement will abrogate or reduce any rights you have under Indiana law.  6. Each provision of this Addendum will be effective only to the extent, with respect to such  provision, that the jurisdictional requirements of the Indiana Franchise Disclosure Law, Indiana Code §§ 23-2-2.5-1  to 23-2-2.5-51, and the Indiana Deceptive Franchise Practices Act, Indiana Code §§ 23-2-2.7-1 to 23-2-2.7-10, are  met independently without reference to this Addendum.    IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have duly executed, sealed, and delivered this Indiana  Addendum to the Regional Developer Agreement on the same date as the Regional Developer Agreement was  executed.    THE JOINT CORP.  a Delaware corporation     By:         Print Name:        Title:   REGIONAL DEVELOPER    By:         Print Name:        Title:                         MARYLAND ADDENDUM TO REGIONAL DEVELOPER AGREEMENT    1. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth in the Agreement, the following provisions will  supersede and apply to all franchises offered and sold in the State of Maryland:     2. Any provision in the Agreement that would require you, as part of the Agreement or as a condition  of the sale, renewal or assignment of the franchise, to assent to a release which would relieve any person from  liability imposed under the provisions of the Maryland Franchise Law is void if that the provision violates this law.   The provision in the Regional Developer Agreement which provides for termination upon bankruptcy of the  franchisee may not be enforceable under federal bankruptcy law (11 U.S.C. Section 101 et seq.)     3. Any provision in the Agreement which operates to waive your right to file a lawsuit alleging a  cause of action arising under the Maryland Franchise Law in any court of competent jurisdiction in the State of  Maryland is void if that the provision violates this law.  Claims arising under the Maryland Franchise Law may be  brought in any court of competent jurisdiction in Maryland, within 3 years after the grant of the franchise.     4. Based upon the franchisor's financial condition, the Maryland Securities Commissioner has  required a financial assurance. Therefore, all initial fees and payments owed by franchisees shall be deferred until  the franchisor completes its pre-opening obligations under the Regional Developer Agreement.     5. The Regional Developer Questionnaire, which is attached to the Agreement as Exhibit 5, is  amended as follows:    All representations requiring prospective franchisees to assent to a release, estoppel or waive of  liability are not intended to nor shall they act as a release, estoppel or waiver of any liability  incurred under the Maryland Franchise Registration and Disclosure Law.      THE JOINT CORP.   a Delaware corporation    By:         Print Name:        Title:        REGIONAL DEVELOPER    By:         Print Name:        Title:                         MINNESOTA ADDENDUM TO REGIONAL DEVELOPER AGREEMENT    1. The Regional Developer Agreement is amended to add the following:  “We will protect your right to use the Marks and/or indemnify you from any loss, costs or expenses arising out of  any claim, suit or demand regarding the use of the Marks.”  2. The Regional Developer Agreement contains a provision requiring a general release as a condition  of renewal and transfer of the franchise. Such release will exclude claims arising under the Minnesota Franchise  Law.  3. The Regional Developer Agreement is amended to add the following:  With respect to franchises governed by Minnesota law, we will comply with Minn. Stat. Sec. 80C. 14, Subds, 3, 4  and 5, which require, except in certain specified cases, that a franchisee be given 90 days’ notice of termination  (with 60 days to cure) and 180 days’ notice for nonrenewal of the Regional Developer Agreement.  4. The Regional Developer Agreement is amended as follows:  Pursuant to Minn. Stat. § 80C.17, Subd. 5, the parties agree that no civil action pertaining to a violation of a  franchise rule or statute can be commenced more than three years after the cause of action accrues.    5. The Regional Developer Agreement is amended to add the following:  Minn. Stat. Sec. 80C.2 1 and Minn. Rule 2860.4400J prohibit us from requiring litigation or mediation to be  conducted outside Minnesota. In addition, nothing in the Disclosure Document or Regional Developer Agreement  can abrogate or reduce any of your rights as provided for in Minnesota Statutes, Chapter 80C, or your rights to any  procedure, forum or remedies provided for by the laws of the jurisdiction.  6. The Regional Developer Agreement is amended to add the following:  Minn. Rule Part 2860.4400J prohibits us from requiring you to waive your rights to a jury trial or waive your rights  to any procedure, forum, or remedies provided for by the laws of the jurisdiction, or consenting to liquidated  damages, termination penalties or judgment notes.  7. Each provision of this Agreement will be effective only to the extent, with respect to such  provision, that the jurisdictional requirements of the Minnesota Franchises Law or the Rules and Regulations  promulgated thereunder by the Minnesota Commissioner of Commerce are met independently without reference to  this Addendum to the Agreement.  IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have duly executed, sealed, and delivered this Minnesota  Addendum to the Regional Developer Agreement on the same day as the Regional Developer Agreement was  executed.    THE JOINT CORP.   a Delaware corporation   By:        Print Name:         Title: _          REGIONAL DEVELOPER    By:         Print Name:        Title:            

 

      NEW YORK ADDENDUM TO REGIONAL DEVELOPER AGREEMENT    THIS ADDENDUM (the “Addendum”) is made and entered into as of this _____ day of  ___________________________, 20___ (the “Effective Date”), by and between The Joint Corp., a Delaware  corporation, with its principal business address at 16767 N. Perimeter Dr., Suite 110, Scottsdale, Arizona 85260  (“we,” or “us”), and ________________________________________, whose principal business address is  _________________________________________________ (“you”).  RECITALS  WHEREAS, you and we are parties to that certain Regional Developer Agreement dated ____________,  201__ (the “RDA”) that has been signed concurrently with the signing of this Addendum;   WHEREAS, the New York Franchise laws and regulations (the “New York Franchise Law”) apply to the  franchise relationship between you and us because one or more of the following apply: (i) you are a resident of  New York and the franchises that you will establish pursuant to the RDA will be located or operated in New York;  or (ii) any of the offering or sales activity relating to the RDA originated in or was directed to New York;  WHEREAS, the New York Franchise Law imposes certain requirements and limitations on franchise  agreements that are subject to the New York Franchise Law and these requirements and limitations are set forth in  this Addendum; and  WHEREAS, you and we agree to amend the RDA to comply with the New York Franchise Law.  NOW, THEREFORE, you and we agree that the RDA shall be amended in accordance with the terms of  this Addendum.  1. Amendments to RDA. The RDA is hereby amended to incorporate the following provisions:  (a) We will not require that you prospectively assent to a release, assignment, novation, waiver, or  estoppel that purports to relieve any person from liability imposed by the New York Franchise Law.  (b) We will not place any condition, stipulation, or provision in the RDA that requires you to waive  compliance with any provision of the New York Franchise Law.    (c) Any provision in the RDA that limits the time period in which you may assert a legal claim against  us under the New York Franchise Law is amended to provide for a three (3) year statute of limitations for purposes  of bringing a claim arising under the New York Franchise Law.    (d) Notwithstanding the transfer provision in the Franchise Agreement, we will not assign the  Franchise Agreement except to an assignee who, in our good faith judgment, is willing and able to assume our  obligations under the Franchise Agreement.  2. Miscellaneous.   (a) Modification. This Addendum and the RDA when executed constitute the entire agreement and  understanding between the parties with respect to the subject matter contained herein and therein. Any and all prior  agreements and understandings between the parties and relating to the subject matter contained in this Addendum  and the RDA, whether written or verbal, other than as contained within the executed Addendum and RDA, are void  and have no force and effect.  In order to be binding between the parties, any subsequent modifications must be in  writing signed by the parties.   (b) Effect on Agreement.  Except as specifically modified or supplemented by this Addendum, all  terms, conditions, covenants and agreements set forth in the RDA shall remain in full force and effect. This        Addendum shall not apply unless the jurisdictional requirements of the New York Franchise Law are met  independently and without reference to this Addendum.     (c) Inconsistency.  In the event of any inconsistency between the executed RDA and this Addendum,  this Addendum shall prevail.  (d) Counterparts.  This Addendum may be executed in counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an  original, but all of which together shall constitute but one and the same document.  IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed and delivered this Addendum effective on the date  stated on the first page above.  FRANCHISOR  The Joint Corp., a Delaware corporation    By:       Name:       Title:         ______________________________________  [Date]   FRANCHISEE     [Signature]     [Print Name]    ______________________________________  [Date]                NORTH DAKOTA ADDENDUM TO REGIONAL DEVELOPER AGREEMENT  1. The Regional Developer Agreement contains a provision requiring a general release as a condition  of renewal or transfer of the franchise. Such release is subject to and will exclude claims arising under the North  Dakota Franchise Investment Law.  2. The Regional Developer Agreement will be amended to state that mediation involving a franchise  purchased in North Dakota must be held in a location mutually agreed on prior to the mediation, or if the parties  cannot agree on a location, at a location to be determined by the mediator.  3. The Regional Developer Agreement is amended to add that covenants not to compete on  termination or expiration of a Regional Developer Agreement are generally not enforceable in the State of North  Dakota except in limited circumstances provided by North Dakota law.  4. The Regional Developer Agreement is amended to add that any claim or right arising under the  North Dakota Franchise Investment Law may be brought in the appropriate state or federal court in North Dakota,  subject to the mediation provision of the Agreement.  5. The Regional Developer Agreement is amended to state that, in the event of a conflict of law, to  the extent required by the North Dakota Franchise Investment Law, North Dakota law will prevail.  6. The Regional Developer Agreement requires the franchisee to waive a trial by jury, as well as  exemplary and punitive damages. These requirements are not enforceable in North Dakota pursuant to Section 51- 19-09 of the North Dakota Franchise Investment Law, and are therefore not part of the Regional Developer  Agreement.    7. The Regional Developer Agreement requirement that the franchise consent to a limitation of claims  period of one year is not consistent with North Dakota law. The limitation of claims period under the Regional  Developer Agreement shall therefore be governed by North Dakota law.    8. Each provision of this Addendum will be effective only to the extent, with respect to such  provision, that the jurisdictional requirements of the North Dakota Franchise Investment Law, N.D. Cent. Code §§  51-19-01 through 51-19-17, are met independently without reference to this Addendum.  IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have duly executed, sealed, and delivered this North Dakota  Addendum to the Regional Developer Agreement on the same day as the Regional Developer Agreement was  executed.    THE JOINT CORP.   a Delaware corporation     By:        Print Name:         Title: _          REGIONAL DEVELOPER    By:         Print Name:        Title:                    RHODE ISLAND ADDENDUM TO REGIONAL DEVELOPER AGREEMENT  1. The Regional Developer Agreement contains a provision requiring a general release as a condition  of renewal and transfer of the franchise. Such release will exclude claims arising under the Rhode Island Franchise  Investment Act.  2. This Agreement requires that it be governed by Arizona law. To the extent that such law conflicts  with Rhode Island Franchise Investment Act, it is void under Sec. 19-28.1-14.  3. The Regional Developer Agreement is amended by the addition of the following, which will be  considered an integral part of this Agreement:  “§ 19-28.1-14 of the Rhode Island Franchise Investment Act provides that “A provision in an Regional  Developer Agreement restricting jurisdiction or venue to a forum outside this state or requiring the application of  the laws of another state is void with respect to a claim otherwise enforceable under this Act.”  4. Each provision of this Addendum will be effective only to the extent, with respect to such  provision, that the jurisdictional requirements of Rhode Island Franchise Investment Act, §§ 19- 28-1.1 through 19- 28.1-34, are met independently without reference to this Addendum.  IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have duly executed, sealed, and delivered this Rhode Island  Addendum to the Regional Developer Agreement on the same date as the Regional Developer Agreement was  executed.    THE JOINT CORP.   a Delaware corporation     By:        Print Name:        Title: _          REGIONAL DEVELOPER    By:         Print Name:        Title:                 

 

      VIRGINIA ADDENDUM TO REGIONAL DEVELOPER AGREEMENT    No addendum is required in Virginia at this time.    IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have duly executed, sealed, and delivered this Virginia  Addendum to the Regional Developer Agreement on the same date as the Regional Developer Agreement was  executed.    THE JOINT CORP.   a Delaware corporation     By:         Print Name:        Title: _          REGIONAL DEVELOPER    By:         Print Name:        Title:                        WASHINGTON ADDENDUM TO REGIONAL DEVELOPER AGREEMENT  1. The state of Washington has a statute, RCW 19.100.180 which may supersede the Regional  Developer Agreement in your relationship with the franchisor including the areas of termination and renewal of  your franchise.  There may also be court decisions which may supersede the Regional Developer Agreement in  your relationship with the franchisor including the areas of termination and renewal of your franchise.  2. In any mediation involving a franchise purchased in Washington, the mediation site shall be either  in the state of Washington, or in a place mutually agreed upon at the time of the mediation , or as determined by the  mediator.  3. In the event of a conflict of laws, the provisions of the Washington Franchise Investment  Protection Act, Chapter 19.100 RCW shall prevail.  4. A release or waiver of rights executed by a franchisee shall not include rights under the  Washington Franchise Investment Protection Act except when executed pursuant to a negotiated settlement after  the agreement is in effect and where the parties are represented by independent counsel. Provisions such as those  which unreasonably restrict or limit the statute of limitations period for claims under the Act, rights or remedies  under the Act such as a right to a jury trial may not be enforceable.  5. Transfer fees are collectable to the extent that they reflect the franchisor’s reasonable estimated or  actual costs in effecting a transfer.       IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have duly executed, sealed, and delivered this Washington  Addendum to the Regional Developer Agreement on the same date as the Regional Developer Agreement was  executed.    THE JOINT CORP.   a Delaware corporation     By:         Print Name:        Title: _        REGIONAL DEVELOPER    By:         Print Name:        Title:             EXHIBIT 5  AREA DEVELOPER COMPLIANCE QUESTIONNAIRE    The Joint Corp. (the “Franchisor”) and you are preparing to enter into a Regional Developer Agreement.  The  purpose of this Questionnaire is to determine whether any statements or promises were made to you that the  Franchisor has not authorized and that may be untrue, inaccurate or misleading.  Please understand that your  responses to these questions are important to us and that we will rely on them.  Please review each of the following  questions and statements carefully and provide honest and complete responses to each.  By signing this  Questionnaire, you are representing that you have responded truthfully to the following questions.    1. I received and personally reviewed the Franchisor’s Franchise Disclosure Document (“FDD”) that was  provided to me.  Yes _______ No _______    2. Did you sign a receipt or acknowledge through electronic means a receipt for the FDD indicating the date  you received it?  Yes _______ No _______    3. Do you understand all of the information in the FDD and any state-specific Addendum to the FDD?  Yes _______ No _______     If no, what parts of the FDD and/or Addendum do you not understand?  (Attach additional pages, if  necessary.)                  4. Have you received and personally reviewed the Regional Developer Agreement and each Addendum and  related agreement attached to it?  Yes _______ No _______    5. Do you understand all of the information in the Regional Developer Agreement, each Addendum and  related agreement provided to you?  Yes _______ No _______             If no, what parts of the Regional Developer Agreement, Addendum, and/or related agreement do you not  understand?  (Attach additional pages, if necessary.)    _  _                  6. Have you entered into any binding agreement with the Franchisor for the purchase of this Regional  Developer Business before being provided a copy of the FDD for fourteen (14) calendar days?  Yes _______ No _______    7. Have you paid any money to the Franchisor for the purchase of this Regional Developer Business before  being provided a copy of the FDD for fourteen (14) calendar days?  Yes _______ No _______    8. Have you discussed the benefits and risks of establishing and operating a Regional Developer Business  with your counsel or advisor?  Yes _______ No _______      If no, do you wish to have more time to do so?    Yes _______ No _______    9. Do you understand that the success or failure of your Regional Developer Business depends in large part on  your skills and abilities, competition from other businesses, interest rates, inflation labor and supply costs, lease  terms and other economic and business factors?  Yes _______ No _______     Except as disclosed in Item 19 of its Franchise Disclosure Document, the Franchisor does not make  information available to prospective Regional Developers concerning actual, average, projected or forecasted sales,  profits or earnings for a Regional Developer Business.  The Franchisor does not furnish, or authorize its  salespersons to furnish, any oral or written information concerning the actual, average, projected, forecasted sales,  costs, income or profits of a Regional Developer Business.  Franchisor specifically instructs its sales personnel,  agents, employees and other officers that they are not permitted to make any claims or statements as to the earnings,  sales, or profits, or prospects, or chances of success, nor are they authorized to represent or estimate dollar figures  as to a Regional Developer’s Business’ operations. Actual results vary and are dependent on a variety of internal  and external factors, some of which neither Regional Developer, nor Franchisor can estimate.  To ensure that  Franchisor’s policies have been followed, please answer the following questions:    10. Has any employee, or other person speaking for the Franchisor, made any statement or promise to you  regarding the total revenues a Regional Developer Business will generate that is contrary to the information in the  FDD?  Yes _______ No _______    11. Has any employee, or other person speaking for the Franchisor, made any statement or promise of the  amount of money or profit you may earn in operating a Regional Developer Business that is contrary to the  

 

      information in the FDD?  Yes _______ No _______    12. Has any employee, or other person speaking for the Franchisor, promised you that you will be successful in  operating a Regional Developer Business?  Yes _______ No _______    13. Has any employee, or other person speaking for the Franchisor, made any statement, promise or verbal  agreement of about advertising, marketing, training, support service or other assistance that the Franchisor will  furnish to you that is contrary to, or different from, the information in the FDD?  Yes _______ No _______    14. If you have answered “Yes” to any one of questions 10-13, please provide a full explanation of each “yes”  answer.  (Attach additional pages, if necessary, and refer to them below.)  If you have answered “no” to each of  questions 11-14, please leave the following lines blank.    _  _                  I certify that my answers to the foregoing questions are true, correct and complete.  These acknowledgments are not  intended to act, nor shall they act, as a release, estoppel or waiver of any liability incurred under any applicable  state’s franchise registration or disclosure law.  REGIONAL DEVELOPER (“you”)    By:         Print Name:        Title:     Date Received:     Date Signed:                EXHIBIT C    TABLE OF CONTENTS OF REGIONAL DEVELOPER MANUAL                                                                 

 

                                EXHIBIT D  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS             The Joint Corp. 10-K -Annual Report, Item 8    Financial Statements and Supplementary Data    For the Fiscal Years Ended     December 31, 2020 and 2019                  

 

                                                                                                                                      

 

                                                                                                            

 

                                                

 

                                                

 

                                                

 

                                                

 

                                                       

 

      The Joint Corp. 10-K -Annual Report, Item 8    Financial Statements and Supplementary Data    For the Fiscal Years Ended     December 31, 2019 and 2018                                     

 

                                        

 

                                                                                                

 

                                        

 

                                        

 

                                        

 

                                        

 

                                        

 

                                        

 

                          EXHIBIT E    LIST OF REGIONAL DEVELOPERS                     Part A: List of Regional Developer Businesses/Franchisees as of December 31, 2020:    Region State(s) Region/Area Regional Dev Phone Owner  Alabama  (and Louisiana and  Mississippi)  Alabama, Louisiana & Mississippi Alabama - Alabama, Mississippi,  Louisiana - Pat Greco, Pat, Weathers -  PPG Health Solutions, LLC   404-797-6088 Pat Greco, Pat,  Weathers - PPG  Health Solutions,  LLC   Arkansas  (and Oklahoma and  Texas)  Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas Multiple States - Texas, Oklahoma,  Arkansas - Kevin Stutz - Stutz Wealthcorp,  INC  512-970-5979 Kevin Stutz - Stutz  Wealthcorp, INC  California Northern California (6 Counties-Santa  Clara, Solano, Yolo, Sacramento,  Placer and San Joaquin)  California - Northern California (6  Counties-Santa Clara, Solano, Yolo,  Sacramento, Placer and San Joaquin) -  Chris O'Neal (Joint Ventures)  775-200-9928 Chris O'Neal (Joint  Ventures)  California The Bay Area N. Cal including  Alameda, San Francisco, San Mateo,  Marin, Contra Costa, Napa  and Santa  Cruz County  California - The Bay Area N. Cal  including Alameda, San Francisco, San  Mateo, Marin, Contra Costa, Napa  and  Santa Cruz County - Regi Lal - Southwest  Wellness Group, LLC  760-383-1862 Regi Lal -  Southwest Wellness  Group, LLC  Colorado Denver and North, Colorado Springs  and Pueblo MSA's ( counties include  Larimer, Weld, Boulder, Broomfield,  Adams, Denver, Arapahoe, Jefferson,  Douglas, El Paso, Pueblo)  Colorado - Denver and North, Colorado  Springs and Pueblo MSA's ( counties  include Larimer, Weld, Boulder,  Broomfield, Adams, Denver, Arapahoe,  Jefferson, Douglas, El Paso, Pueblo) -  Brad Remington (Remington Joint, LLC)  303-968-5408  Brad Remington  (Remington Joint,  LLC)  Florida Indian River, Okeechobee, St. Lucie,  Marin, Palm Beach, Broward, Miami  Dade, and Monroe including the  Florida Keys.  Florida - Indian River, Okeechobee, St.  Lucie, Marin, Palm Beach, Broward,  Miami Dade, and Monroe including the  Florida Keys. - Walter Booth, Joe Burum  and Kevin Minter - KCI Wellness  Development, LLC   404.556.5882  Walter Booth, Joe  Burum and Kevin  Minter - KCI  Wellness  Development, LLC   Florida Tampa/Orlando (Counties of Baker,  Duval, Clay, St. Johns, Putnam,  Bradford, Alachua, Marion, Flagler,  Volusia, Lake, Sumter, Seminole,  Orange, Osceola, Brevard, Polk, Citrus,  Pinellas, Hillsborough, Pasco,  Hernando, Manatee, Sarasota,  Charlotte, Lee, Collier)  Florida - Tampa/Orlando (Counties of  Baker, Duval, Clay, St. Johns, Putnam,  Bradford, Alachua, Marion, Flagler,  Volusia, Lake, Sumter, Seminole, Orange,  Osceola, Brevard, Polk, Citrus, Pinellas,  Hillsborough, Pasco, Hernando, Manatee,  Sarasota, Charlotte, Lee, Collier) - Shane  Weber, Barry Goodman, Jeff McGinty,  Duane Cantrell, Michael Cantrell  404-964-3182 Shane Weber, Barry  Goodman, Jeff  McGinty, Duane  Cantrell, Michael  Cantrell  Georgia All Georgia counties EXCEPT the  following: Dade, Walker, Catoosa,  Whitfield, Columbia, Richmond,  Effingham, Chatham, Bryan, Glynn,  Camden, Liberty, McIntosh    Georgia - All Georgia counties EXCEPT  the following: Dade, Walker, Catoosa,  Whitfield, Columbia, Richmond,  Effingham, Chatham, Bryan, Glynn,  Camden, Liberty, McIntosh - Dr. Patrick  Greco (Midtown health solutions)  404-797-6088 Dr. Patrick Greco  (Midtown health  soultions)  Idaho   (and Washington)  Entire State of Washington (excluding  Clark and Skamania Counties)  Including Kootenai County Idaho  Washington - Entire State of Washington  (excluding Clark and Skamania Counties)  Including Kootenai County Idaho - Kevin  Kelly, Wynn, Faith - Pack Joint  Development, LLC  610-659-4968 Kevin Kelly, Wynn,  Faith - Pack Joint  Development, LLC        Region State(s) Region/Area Regional Dev Phone Owner  Illinois Southern Illinois (counties of St. Claire,  Monroe, Madison, Macoupin, Jersey,  Clinton and Calhoun)   Illinois - Southern Illinois (counties of St.  Claire, Monroe, Madison, Macoupin,  Jersey, Clinton and Calhoun)  - Mike  Klearman  636-675-0366 Mike Klearman  Indiana  (and Illinois and  Wisconsin)  ILLINOIS – Cook, DuPage, Grundy,  Kendall, McHenry, Will, DeKalb,  Kane, Lake WISCONSIN – Kenosha  INDIANA – Jasper, Lake, Newton,  Porter  Illinois - ILLINOIS – Cook, DuPage,  Grundy, Kendall, McHenry, Will, DeKalb,  Kane, Lake WISCONSIN – Kenosha  INDIANA – Jasper, Lake, Newton, Porter  - Jim Fender GM for Don, Larry and Jody  -( Porter Partners, LLC)  815-342-4203 Jim Fender GM for  Don, Larry and  Jody -( Porter  Partners, LLC)  Indiana  (and Kentucky and  West Virginia)  Kentucky, West Virginia counties of  Cabell, Putnam, Kanawha. Indiana,  Warrick, Dearborn, Clark Vanderburgh  Kentucky - Kentucky, West Virginia  counties of Cabell, Putnam, Kanawha.  Indiana, Warrick, Dearborn, Clark  Vanderburgh - Taylor Abrams - Abrams  Management Systems, Inc.   423-987-6980 Taylor Abrams -  Abrams  Management  Systems, Inc.   Iowa, Nebraska,  South Dakota    Iowa- Nebraska-South Dakota- County  of Rock Island Illinois    Iowa- Nebraska-South Dakota- County of  Rock Island Illinois - Jerry Akers  -  MOCA RD, LLC    (319) 929-7853  MOCA RD, LLC  Jerry Akers  Maryland  (and Washington  DC)  State of Maryland and Washington DC Maryland - State of Maryland and  Washington DC - Gordon and Marvin  Thornton - Giselle Regional Management  Group, LLC   910.495.6877 Gordon and Marvin  Thornton - Giselle  Regional  Management  Group, LLC   Minnesota  (and Washington)  Minnesota counties of Anoka, Henepin,  Scott, Dakota, Ramsey, Carver and  Washington  Minnesota - Minnesota counties of Anoka,  Henepin, Scott, Dakota, Ramsey, Carver  and Washington - Craig Selander, Angela,  Selander, Robb Quinlan, Dr. John  McKeague  (612) 703.0224 Craig Selander,  Angela, Selander,  Robb Quinlan, Dr.  John McKeague  Missouri State of MO except for Kansas City,  MO portion of MSA (excluded from  RD are the counties of Cliniton,  Caldewll, Platte, Clay, Ray, Lafayette,  Jackson, Cass, and Bates)  Missouri - State of MO except for Kansas  City, MO portion of MSA (excluded from  RD are the counties of Cliniton, Caldewll,  Platte, Clay, Ray, Lafayette, Jackson, Cass,  and Bates) - Mike Klearman (CW  Wellness)  636-675-0366 Mike Klearman  (CW Wellness)  Nevada   (and Utah)  UTAH-Weber and Davis Counties  AND NEVADA: Washoe and Carson  City Counties  Utah - UTAH-Weber and Davis Counties  AND NEVADA: Washoe and Carson City  Counties - Chris O'Neal  775-200-9928 Chris O'Neal  New Jersey Northern New Jersey New Jersey - Northern New Jersey -  Anthony and Joe Fava - Blue Turtle, LLC   973-703-7008 Anthony and Joe  Fava - Blue Turtle,  LLC   Ohio State of Ohio Ohio - State of Ohio - Chad Warner -   Justera Company  614-204-4319 Chad Warner -   Justera Company  Oregon OREGON counties consist of:  Clackamas, Columbia, Multnomah,  Washington, Yamhill and Marion  Oregon - OREGON counties consist of:  Clackamas, Columbia, Multnomah,  Washington, Yamhill and Marion - Chris  O'Neal  775-200-9928 Chris O'Neal  Pennsylvania Philadelphia (Bucks, Chester,  Delaware, Montgomery, and  Pennsylvania - Philadelphia (Bucks,  Chester, Delaware, Montgomery, and  (302) 463-4558  Heather and David  Sefried, Elliot  

 

      Region State(s) Region/Area Regional Dev Phone Owner  Philadelphia counties) Philadelphia counties) - Heather and David  Sefried, Elliot Poole, David Hunter  Poole, David  Hunter  South Carolina South Carolina counties of: Aiken,  Anderson, Beaufort, Berkley,  Charleston, Florence, Greenville,  Horry, Lexington, Pickens, Richland,  Spartanburg, Sumpter, York  South Carolina - South Carolina counties  of: Aiken, Anderson, Beaufort, Berkley,  Charleston, Florence, Greenville, Horry,  Lexington, Pickens, Richland,  Spartanburg, Sumpter, York - Glover's and  Fluegge (The Joint SC)  864-415-4191 Glover's and  Fluegge (The Joint  SC)  Tennessee Tennessee with additional counties,  Crittenden AR, DeSoto MS, Dade,  Walker, WhitfieldGA, Catoosa County,  GA  Bristol and WashingtonVA  Tennessee - Tennessee with additional  counites, Crittenden AR, DeSoto MS,  Dade, Walker, WhitfieldGA, Catoosa  County, GA  Bristol and WashingtonVA -  Paul Trindel and Chad Eads  336-601-2926 Paul Trindel and  Chad Eads  Texas Austin / Round Rock / San Marcos  MSA (counties consist of Williamson,  Travis, Hays, Bastrop and Caldwell)  Texas - Austin / Round Rock / San Marcos  MSA (counties consist of Williamson,  Travis, Hays, Bastrop and Caldwell) -  David and Anne Glover (The Joint  Franchising Austin)  713-829-5198 David and Anne  Glover (The Joint  Franchising Austin)  Texas Dallas / Fort Worth / Arlington MSA  (counties consist of Wise, Denton,  Collin, Hunt, Rockwall, Dallas,  Tarrant, Parker, Hood, Johnson, Ellis,  Kaufman)  Texas - Dallas / Fort Worth / Arlington  MSA (counties consist of Wise, Denton,  Collin, Hunt, Rockwall, Dallas, Tarrant,  Parker, Hood, Johnson, Ellis, Kaufman) -  David and Anne Glover (The Joint  Franchising Dallas)  713-829-5198 David and Anne  Glover (The Joint  Franchising Dallas)  Texas Houston / Sugarland / Baytown  (counties consist of Austin, Waller,  Montgomery, Libery, Harris,  Chambers, Fort Bend, Brazoria and  Galveston)  Texas - Houston / Sugarland / Baytown  (counties consit of Austin, Waller,  Montgomery, Libery, Harris, Chambers,  Fort Bend, Brazoria and Galveston) -  David and Anne Glover (The joint  Franchising Houston)  713-829-5198 David and Anne  Glover (The joint  Franchising  Houston)  Texas San Antonio / New Braunfels MSA  (counties consist of Bandera, Medina,  Bexar, Kendall, Comal, Guadalupe,  Wilson, Atascosa)  Texas - San Antonio / New Braunfels  MSA (counties consit of Bandera, Medina,  Bexar, Kendall, Comal, Guadalupe,  Wilson, Atascosa) - David and Anne  Glover (The Joint Franchising San  Antonio)   713-829-5198 David and Anne  Glover (The Joint  Franchising San  Antonio)   Washington WASHINGTON-Clark and Skamania  Counties  Washington - WASHINGTON-Clark and  Skamania Counties - Chris O'Neal  775-200-9928 Chris O'Neal  West Virginia  West Virginia (excluded from RD are  the counties of Cabell, Putnam and  Kanawha); Virginia (excluded from RD  are the counties of Washington and  Bristol, Chesapeake, Virginia Beach,  Norfolk, Portsmouth, Suffolk, Isle of  Wright, Hampton, Newport News,  Poquoson, York, Williamsburg, James  City, Franklin City, Gloucester,  Matthews, North Hampton and  Accoomack ); and  Pennsylvania  (counties consist of Allegheny, Beaver,  Westmoreland, Washington and  Fayette)  West Virginia (excluded from RD are the  counties of Cabell, Putnam and Kanawha);  Virginia (excluded from RD are the  counties of Washington and Bristol,  Chesapeake, Virginia Beach, Norfolk,  Portsmouth, Suffolk, Isle of Wright,  Hampton, Newport News, Poquoson,  York, Williamsburg, James City, Franklin  City, Gloucester, Matthews, North  Hampton and Accoomack ); and   Pennsylvania (counties consist of  Allegheny, Beaver, Westmoreland,  Washington and Fayette) - Paul Trindel  (Wellness Inc)  336-601-2926 Paul Trindel  (Wellness Inc)        Region State(s) Region/Area Regional Dev Phone Owner  Wisconsin, Central  Illinois  Indiana Counties of Elkhart,  LaPorte,   St. Joseph.    MICHIGAN counties of - Allegan,  Barry, Leelanau, Benzie, Berrien,  Calhoun, Cass, Clinton, Eaton,  Grand  Traverse, Ingham, Ionia,  Jackson,  Kalamazoo, Kent,  Lake, Leelanau,  Manistee, Mason, Muskegon,  Newaygo, Oceana, Ottawa, St. Joseph,  Van Buren, Wexford     Illinois counties of Adams, Alexander,  Boone, Brown, Bureau, Carroll, Cass,  Champaign, Christian, Clark ,Clay  ,Coles  ,Crawford, Cumberland, De Witt,  Douglas ,Edgar, Edwards, Effingham,  Fayette, Ford, Franklin, Fulton,  Gallatin, Greene, Hamilton, Hancock,  Hardin, Henderson, Henry, Iroquois,  Jackson, Jasper, Jefferson, Johnson,  Kankakee, Knox, La Salle, Lawrence,  Lee, Livingston, Logan, McDonough,  McLean, Macon  ,Marion, Marshall, Mason, Massac,  Menard, Mercer, Montgomery,  Morgan, Moultrie, Ogle, Peoria, Perry,  Piatt, Pike, Pope, Pulaski, Putnam,  Randolph, Richland, Saline ,Sangamon,  Schuyler, Scott, Shelby, Stark,  Stephenson, Tazewell, Union,  Vermilion, Wabash, Warren,  Washington, Wayne, White, Whiteside,  Williamson, Winnebago, Woodford    Wisconsin counties of Door,  Kewaunee, Brown, Outagamie,  Waupaca, Juneau, Adams, Waushara,  Marquette, Green Lake, Winnebago,  Fond du Lac, Calumet, Manitowoc,  Sheboygan, Ozaukee, Washington,  Dodge, Columbia, Sauk, Vernon,  Crawford, Richland, Grant, Iowa,  Dane, Jefferson, Waukesha,  Milwaukee, Racine, Walworth, Rock,  Green and Lafayette.  Indiana Counties of Elkhart,  LaPorte,  St.  Joseph.    MICHIGAN counties of - Allegan, Barry,  Leelanau, Benzie, Berrien, Calhoun, Cass,  Clinton, Eaton,  Grand Traverse, Ingham,  Ionia,  Jackson, Kalamazoo, Kent,  Lake,  Leelanau, Manistee, Mason, Muskegon,  Newaygo, Oceana, Ottawa, St. Joseph,  Van Buren, Wexford     Illinois counties of Adams, Alexander,  Boone, Brown, Bureau, Carroll, Cass,  Champaign, Christian, Clark ,Clay ,Coles  ,Crawford, Cumberland, De Witt, Douglas  ,Edgar, Edwards, Effingham, Fayette,  Ford, Franklin, Fulton, Gallatin, Greene,  Hamilton, Hancock, Hardin, Henderson,  Henry, Iroquois, Jackson, Jasper,  Jefferson, Johnson, Kankakee, Knox, La  Salle, Lawrence, Lee, Livingston, Logan,  McDonough, McLean, Macon  ,Marion, Marshall, Mason, Massac,  Menard, Mercer, Montgomery, Morgan,  Moultrie, Ogle, Peoria, Perry, Piatt, Pike,  Pope, Pulaski, Putnam, Randolph,  Richland, Saline ,Sangamon, Schuyler,  Scott, Shelby, Stark, Stephenson,  Tazewell, Union, Vermilion, Wabash,  Warren, Washington, Wayne, White,  Whiteside, Williamson, Winnebago,  Woodford    Wisconsin counties of Door, Kewaunee,  Brown, Outagamie, Waupaca, Juneau,  Adams, Waushara, Marquette, Green  Lake, Winnebago, Fond du Lac, Calumet,  Manitowoc, Sheboygan, Ozaukee,  Washington, Dodge, Columbia, Sauk,  Vernon, Crawford, Richland, Grant, Iowa,  Dane, Jefferson, Waukesha, Milwaukee,  Racine, Walworth, Rock, Green and  Lafayette.    Bosco Enterprises, LLC- Michael "Jeffrey"  Bosco and Laura Bosco  (608) 234-3955  Bosco Enterprises,  LLC- Michael  "Jeffrey" Bosco  and Laura Bosco    Part B: List of Regional Developer Businesses/Franchisees that left the system in 2020:    None*    * Note that we reacquired the regional developer territory from Paul Trindel. However, this individual remains a  franchisee in our system. Paul Trindel continues to own regional development rights for the Tennessee and West  Virginia territories.                 EXHIBIT F    STATE-SPECIFIC DISCLOSURES           REQUIRED BY THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA  CALIFORNIA CORPORATIONS CODE SECTION 31125 REQUIRES THAT THE  FRANCHISOR GIVE THE FRANCHISEE A DISCLOSURE DOCUMENT APPROVED BY THE  DEPARTMENT OF CORPORATIONS PRIOR TO A SOLICITATION OF A PROPOSED MATERIAL  MODIFICATION OF AN EXISTING FRANCHISE.  THE CALIFORNIA FRANCHISE INVESTMENT LAW REQUIRES THAT A COPY OF ALL  PROPOSED AGREEMENTS RELATING TO THE SALE OF THE FRANCHISE BE DELIVERED  TOGETHER WITH THE DISCLOSURE DOCUMENT.  Neither we nor any person or franchise broker identified in Item 2 is subject to any currently  effective order of any national securities association or national securities exchange, as defined in the  Securities Exchange Act of 1934, 15 U.S.C.A. 78a et seq., suspending or expelling such persons from  membership in that association or exchange.  Item 5 of the Disclosure Document is modified to include the following paragraph:  We apply the initial Regional Developer fee to our general operating revenues,  which we use, among other purposes, to cover the costs of marketing to  prospective Regional Developer franchisees, training new Regional Developer  franchisees and assisting new Regional Developer franchisees in opening their  businesses.  The California Business and Professions Code Sections 20000 through 20043 provide rights to you  concerning termination and non-renewal of a franchise. If the Regional Developer Agreement contains a  provision that in inconsistent with the law, the law will control.  We may not terminate your Regional  Developer franchise except for good cause, and we must give you a notice of default and a reasonable  opportunity to cure the defects (except for certain defects specified in the statute, for which no opportunity  to cure is required by law). The statute also requires that we give you notice of any intention not to renew  your Regional Developer franchise at least 180 days before expiration of the Regional Developer  Agreement.  You must sign a general release if you renew or transfer your Regional Developer franchise.  California Corporations Code 31512 voids a waiver of your rights under the Franchise Investment Law  (California Corporations Code 31000 through 31516). Business and Professions Code 20010 voids a waiver  of your rights under the Franchise Relations Act (Business and Professions Code 20000 through 20043).  The Regional Developer Agreement contains a covenant not to compete, which extends beyond the  termination of your Regional Developer franchise. This provision may not be enforceable under California  law.  THE REGIONAL DEVELOPER AGREEMENT REQUIRES APPLICATION OF THE LAW OF  ARIZONA. THIS PROVISION MAY NOT BE ENFORCEABLE UNDER CALIFORNIA LAW. To the  extent permitted by law, you and we waive any right to or claim for any punitive or exemplary damages  against each other and agree that in the event of a dispute between us, each will be limited to the recovery of  actual damages only (except in limited circumstances). Each party further waives trial by jury and, to the  extent permitted by law, all claims arising out of or relating to the Regional Developer Agreement must be  brought within one year from the date on which you or we knew or should have known of the facts giving  rise to such claims (except for claims relating to nonpayment or underpayment of amounts you owe us).  The Regional Developer Agreement requires binding arbitration. The arbitration will occur at the  office of the American Arbitration Office closest to our principal executive offices. Prospective franchisees  

 

      are encouraged to consult private legal counsel to determine the applicability of California and federal laws  (such as Business and Professions Code Section 20040.5, Code of Civil Procedure Section 1281, and the  Federal Arbitration Act) to any provisions of a franchise agreement restricting venue to a forum outside the  State of California.  OUR WEBSITE (www.thejoint.com) HAS NOT BEEN REVIEWED OR APPROVED BY THE  CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF FINANCIAL PROTECTION & INNOVATION. ANY  COMPLAINTS CONCERNING THE CONTENT OF THIS WEBSITE MAY BE DIRECTED TO THE  CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF FINANCIAL PROTECTION & INNOVATION at https://dfpi.ca.gov/.    REQUIRED BY THE STATE OF HAWAII  THESE FRANCHISES WILL BE/HAVE BEEN FILED UNDER THE FRANCHISE  INVESTMENT LAW OF THE STATE OF HAWAII. FILING DOES NOT CONSTITUTE APPROVAL,  RECOMMENDATION OR ENDORSEMENT BY THE DIRECTOR OF COMMERCE AND  CONSUMER AFFAIRS OR A FINDING BY THE DIRECTOR OF COMMERCE AND CONSUMER  AFFAIRS THAT THE INFORMATION PROVIDED HEREIN IS TRUE, COMPLETE AND NOT  MISLEADING.  THE FRANCHISE INVESTMENT LAW MAKES IT UNLAWFUL TO OFFER OR SELL ANY  FRANCHISE IN THIS STATE WITHOUT FIRST PROVIDING TO THE PROSPECTIVE  FRANCHISEE, OR SUBFRANCHISOR, AT LEAST SEVEN DAYS PRIOR TO THE EXECUTION BY  THE PROSPECTIVE FRANCHISEE OF ANY BINDING FRANCHISE OR OTHER AGREEMENT, OR  AT LEAST SEVEN DAYS PRIOR TO THE PAYMENT OF ANY CONSIDERATION BY THE  FRANCHISEE, OR SUBFRANCHISOR, WHICHEVER OCCURS FIRST, A COPY OF THE  DISCLOSURE DOCUMENT, TOGETHER WITH A COPY OF ALL PROPOSED AGREEMENTS  RELATING TO THE SALE OF THE FRANCHISE.  THIS DISCLOSURE DOCUMENT CONTAINS A SUMMARY ONLY OF CERTAIN  MATERIAL PROVISIONS OF THE FRANCHISE AGREEMENT. THE CONTRACT OR AGREEMENT  SHOULD BE REFERRED TO FOR A STATEMENT OF ALL RIGHTS, CONDITIONS,  RESTRICTIONS AND OBLIGATIONS OF BOTH THE FRANCHISOR AND THE FRANCHISEE.  Item 20 of this Disclosure Document will be amended by the addition of the following paragraph:  This franchise offering is or will be effective in California, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Maryland,  Michigan, Minnesota, New York, North Dakota, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Washington and Wisconsin.  No states have refused, by order or otherwise, to register these franchises. No states have revoked or  suspended the right to offer these franchises. The proposed registration of these franchises has not been  involuntarily withdrawn in any state.  REQUIRED BY THE STATE OF ILLINOIS  Item 5 of this disclosure document is amended to add the following language at the end of the  section:  Fee Deferral  All fees referenced in the Franchise Agreement and Regional Developer Agreement are  subject to deferral pursuant to order of the Illinois Attorney General’s Office based upon  their review of our financial condition as reflected in our financial statements. Accordingly,  you will pay no fees to us until we have completed all of our material pre-opening        responsibilities to you and you commence operating the first franchised business.  Item 17 of this disclosure document is supplemented by the addition of the following paragraphs  at the end of the chart:  State Law  The conditions under which you can be terminated and your rights on non-renewal may be affected  by Illinois law, 815 ILCS 705/19 and 705/20.  The Illinois Franchise Disclosure Act will govern any Regional Developer Agreement if it applies  to a subfranchise located in Illinois.  Any condition in the Regional Developer Agreement that designates jurisdiction or venue in a  forum outside of Illinois is void with respect to any cause of action that otherwise is enforceable in  Illinois, provided that the Regional Developer Agreement may provide for arbitration in a forum  outside of Illinois.  In conformance with Section 41 of the Illinois Franchise Disclosure Act, any condition, stipulation  or provision purporting to bind any person acquiring any franchise to waive compliance with the  Illinois Franchise Disclosure Act or any other law of Illinois is void.  REQUIRED BY THE STATE OF INDIANA  The Regional Developer Agreement contains a covenant not to compete that extends beyond the  termination of your Regional Developer franchise. This provision may not be enforceable under Indiana  law.  Indiana law makes unilateral termination of your Regional Developer franchise unlawful unless  there is a material violation of the Regional Developer Agreement and the termination is not done in bad  faith.  If Indiana law requires the Regional Developer Agreement and all related documents to be  governed by Indiana law, then nothing in the Regional Developer Agreement or related documents referring  to Arizona law will abrogate or reduce any of your rights as provided for under Indiana law.  Indiana law prohibits a prospective general release of claims subject to the Indiana Deceptive  Franchise Practices Law.  Although the Regional Developer Agreement requires mediation to be held at the office of the  American Arbitration Association closest to our principal executive offices, mediation held pursuant to the  Regional Developer Agreement must take place in Indiana if you so request. If you choose Indiana, we have  the right to select the location in Indiana.  REQUIRED BY THE STATE OF MARYLAND  A franchisee located within the state of Maryland shall not be required to assent to any release,  estoppel or waiver of liability as a condition of purchasing a franchise which would act as a release,  estoppel or waiver of any liability incurred under the Maryland Franchise Registration and Disclosure Law.  The provisions in the Regional Developer Agreement relating to the general release that is required  as a condition of renewal, sale and assignment/transfer shall not apply to any liability under the Maryland        Franchise Registration and Disclosure Law.    Lawsuits by either you or us may take place in Maryland for claims arising under the Maryland  Franchise Registration and Disclosure Law.  Any limitation of claims provision(s) in the Regional Developer Agreement shall not act to reduce  the 3-year statute of limitations afforded to you for bringing a claim under the Law.  Any claims arising  under the Maryland Franchise Registration and Law must be brought within 3 years after the grant of the  franchise to you.  Item 5 of this disclosure document is amended to add the following language at the end of the  section:  Fee Deferral  Based upon the franchisor's financial condition, the Maryland Securities Commissioner has  required a financial assurance. Therefore, all initial fees and payments owed by franchisees  shall be deferred until the franchisor completes its pre-opening obligations under the  Regional Developer Agreement.  REQUIRED BY THE STATE OF MINNESOTA  We will protect your right to use the Marks and/or indemnify you from any loss, costs or expenses  arising out of any claim, suit or demand regarding the use of the Marks.  Minn. Rule 2860.4400D prohibits us from requiring you to assent to a general release. Any release  you sign as a condition of renewal or transfer will not apply to any claims you may have under the  Minnesota Franchise Law.  With respect to franchises governed by Minnesota law, we will comply with Minn. Stat. Sec. 80C.  14, subds, 3, 4 and 5 which require, except in certain specified cases, that you be given 90 days’ notice of  termination (with 60 days to cure) and 180 days’ notice for nonrenewal of the Regional Developer  Agreement.  Minn. Stat. § 80C.17, Subd. 5, states that no civil action pertaining to a violation of a franchise rule  or statute can be commenced more than three years after the cause of action accrues  Minn. Stat. Sec. 80C.21 and Minn. Rule 2860.4400J prohibit us from requiring litigation to be  conducted outside Minnesota. In addition, nothing in this Disclosure Document or the Regional Developer  Agreement can abrogate or reduce any of your rights as provided for in Minnesota Statutes, Chapter 80C, or  your rights to any procedure, forum, or remedies provided for by the laws of the jurisdiction.  Minn. Rule Part 2860.4400J prohibits us from requiring you to waive your rights to a jury trial or  waive your rights to any procedure, forum, or remedies provided for by the laws of the jurisdiction, or  consenting to liquidated damages, termination penalties or judgment notes.    REQUIRED BY STATE OF NEW JERSEY    Liquidated damages are void if unreasonable under the totality of the circumstances, including  whether a statute governs the relationship and concerns liquidated damages clauses; and the common  practice in the industry.            REQUIRED BY THE STATE OF NEW YORK    1. The following information is added to the cover page of the Franchise Disclosure Document:    INFORMATION COMPARING FRANCHISORS IS AVAILABLE. CALL THE STATE  ADMINISTRATORS LISTED IN EXHIBIT A OR YOUR PUBLIC LIBRARY FOR SOURCES OF  INFORMATION. REGISTRATION OF THIS FRANCHISE BY NEW YORK STATE DOES NOT  MEAN THAT NEW YORK STATE RECOMMENDS IT OR HAS VERIFIED THE  INFORMATION IN THIS FRANCHISE DISCLOSURE DOCUMENT. IF YOU LEARN THAT  ANYTHING IN THE FRANCHISE DISCLOSURE DOCUMENT IS UNTRUE, CONTACT THE  FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION AND NEW YORK STATE DEPARTMENT OF LAW,  BUREAU OF INVESTOR PROTECTION AND SECURITIES, 120 BROADWAY, 23RD FLOOR,  NEW YORK, NEW YORK 10271.  THE FRANCHISOR MAY, IF IT CHOOSES, NEGOTIATE WITH YOU ABOUT ITEMS  COVERED IN THE FRANCHISE DISCLOSURE DOCUMENT. HOWEVER, THE FRANCHISOR  CANNOT USE THE NEGOTIATING PROCESS TO PREVAIL UPON A PROSPECTIVE  FRANCHISEE TO ACCEPT TERMS WHICH ARE LESS FAVORABLE THAN THOSE SET  FORTH IN THIS FRANCHISE DISCLOSURE DOCUMENT.    2. The following is added at the end of Item 3:    Except as provided above, with regard to the franchisor, its predecessor, a person identified in Item 2, or an  affiliate offering franchises under the franchisor’s principal trademark:    A. No such party has an administrative, criminal or civil action pending against that person alleging: a  felony, a violation of a franchise, antitrust, or securities law, fraud, embezzlement, fraudulent  conversion, misappropriation of property, unfair or deceptive practices, or comparable civil or  misdemeanor allegations.    B. No such party has pending actions, other than routine litigation incidental to the business, which  are significant in the context of the number of franchisees and the size, nature or financial  condition of the franchise system or its business operations.    C. No such party has been convicted of a felony or pleaded nolo contendere to a felony charge or,  within the 10 year period immediately preceding the application for registration, has been  convicted of or pleaded nolo contendere to a misdemeanor charge or has been the subject of a civil  action alleging: violation of a franchise, antifraud, or securities law; fraud; embezzlement;  fraudulent conversion or misappropriation of property; or unfair or deceptive practices or  comparable allegations.    D. No such party is subject to a currently effective injunctive or restrictive order or decree relating to  the franchise, or under a Federal, State, or Canadian franchise, securities, antitrust, trade regulation  or trade practice law, resulting from a concluded or pending action or proceeding brought by a  public agency; or is subject to any currently effective order of any national securities association or  national securities exchange, as defined in the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, suspending or  expelling such person from membership in such association or exchange; or is subject to a  currently effective injunctive or restrictive order relating to any other business activity as a result  of an action brought by a public agency or department, including, without limitation, actions  affecting a license as a real estate broker or sales agent.        

 

      3. The following is added to the end of Item 4:    Neither the franchisor, its affiliate, its predecessor, officers, or general partner during the 10-year period  immediately before the date of the offering circular: (a) filed as debtor (or had filed against it) a petition to  start an action under the U.S. Bankruptcy Code; (b) obtained a discharge of its debts under the bankruptcy  code; or (c) was a principal officer of a company or a general partner in a partnership that either filed as a  debtor (or had filed against it) a petition to start an action under the U.S. Bankruptcy Code or that obtained a  discharge of its debts under the U.S. Bankruptcy Code during or within 1 year after that officer or general  partner of the franchisor held this position in the company or partnership.    4. The following is added to the end of Item 5:    The initial franchise fee constitutes part of our general operating funds and will be used as such in our  discretion.    5. The following is added to the end of the “Summary” sections of Item 17(c), titled “Requirements for  franchisee to renew or extend,” and Item 17(m), entitled “Conditions for franchisor approval of  transfer”:    However, to the extent required by applicable law, all rights you enjoy and any causes of action arising in  your favor from the provisions of Article 33 of the General Business Law of the State of New York and the  regulations issued thereunder shall remain in force; it being the intent of this proviso that the  non-waiver provisions of General Business Law Sections 687.4 and 687.5 be satisfied.    6. The following language replaces the “Summary” section of Item 17(d), titled “Termination by  franchisee”:    You may terminate the agreement on any grounds available by law.    7. The following is added to the end of the “Summary” section of Item 17(j), titled “Assignment of contract by  franchisor”:    However, no assignment will be made except to an assignee who in good faith and judgment of the franchisor,  is willing and financially able to assume the franchisor’s obligations under the Franchise Agreement.    8. The following is added to the end of the “Summary” sections of Item 17(v), titled “Choice of forum”, and  Item 17(w), titled “Choice of law”:    The foregoing choice of law should not be considered a waiver of any right conferred upon the franchisor or  upon the franchisee by Article 33 of the General Business Law of the State of New York.      REQUIRED BY THE STATE OF NORTH DAKOTA  The Regional Developer Agreement contains a covenant not to compete which extends beyond the  termination of your Regional Developer franchise. This provision may not be enforceable under North Dakota law.  Although the Regional Developer Agreement provides that the place of mediation will be located at the  office of the American Arbitration Association closest to our principal executive offices, we agree that the place of  mediation will be a location that is in close proximity to the site of your Regional Developer Business.  The Regional Developer Agreement requires that you consent to the jurisdiction of a court in close        proximity to our principal executive offices. This provision may not be enforceable under North Dakota law  because North Dakota law precludes you from consenting to jurisdiction of any court outside of North Dakota.  Although the Regional Developer Agreement provides that it will be governed by and construed in  accordance with the laws of the State of Arizona, we agree that the laws of the State of North Dakota will govern  the construction and interpretation of the Regional Developer Agreement.  A contractual requirement that you sign a general release may be unenforceable under the laws of North  Dakota.  Although the Regional Developer Agreement requires the franchisee to consent to a waiver of trial by jury,  the Commissioner has determined that a requirement requiring the waiver of a trial by jury to be unfair, unjust and  inequitable within the intent of Section 51-19-09 of the North Dakota Franchise Investment Law.  This provision is  not enforceable in North Dakota.  Although the Regional Developer Agreement requires the franchisee to consent to a waiver of exemplary  and punitive damages, the Commissioner had determined these types of provisions to be unfair, unjust and  inequitable within the intent of Section 51-19-09 of the North Dakota Franchise Investment Law. This provision is  not enforceable in North Dakota.  Although the Regional Developer Agreement requires the franchisee to consent to a limitation of claims  period within one year, the Commissioner had determined this to be unfair, unjust and inequitable within the intent  of Section 51-19-09 of the North Dakota Franchise Investment Law. The limitation of claims period is therefore  governed by North Dakota law.   To the extent any provision of the Regional Developer Agreement requires you to consent to a waiver of  exemplary or punitive damages, the provision will be deemed null and void.    REQUIRED BY THE STATE OF RHODE ISLAND  Even though our Regional Developer Agreement says the laws of Arizona apply, § 19-28.1-14 of the  Rhode Island Franchise Investment Act provides that “A provision in a franchise agreement restricting jurisdiction  or venue to a forum outside this state or requiring the application of the laws of another state is void with respect to  a claim otherwise enforceable under this Act.”  REQUIRED BY THE STATE OF WASHINGTON  The state of Washington has a statute, RCW 19.100.180 which may supersede the Regional Developer  Agreement in your relationship with the franchisor including the areas of termination and renewal of your  franchise.  There may also be court decisions which may supersede the Regional Developer Agreement in your  relationship with the franchisor including the areas of termination and renewal of your franchise.  In any mediation involving a franchise purchased in Washington, the mediation site shall be either in the  state of Washington, or in a place mutually agreed upon at the time of the mediation, or as determined by the  mediator.  In the event of a conflict of laws, the provisions of the Washington Franchise Investment Protection Act,  Chapter 19.100 RCW shall prevail.  A release or waiver of rights executed by a franchisee shall not include rights under the Washington  Franchise Investment Protection Act except when executed pursuant to a negotiated settlement after the agreement  is in effect and where the parties are represented by independent counsel. Provisions such as those which  unreasonably restrict or limit the statute of limitations period for claims under the Act, rights or remedies under the  Act such as a right to a jury trial may not be enforceable.        Transfer fees are collectable to the extent that they reflect the franchisor’s reasonable estimated or actual  costs in effecting a transfer.    These requirements must be included in an addendum to the Regional Developer Agreement you sign for  the State of Washington.      The undersigned does hereby acknowledge receipt of this addendum.      Dated this _________________ day of __________________________________ 202______.      FRANCHISOR:  THE JOINT CORP.   a Delaware corporation  REGIONAL DEVELOPER  ______________________________________,  a(n)___________________________________  By:   Name:   Its:   By:________   Name:   Its:            141      EXHIBIT G      OTHER AGREEMENTS    [See Attached]     

 

   142      EXHIBIT G-1    CONFIDENTIALITY/NON-DISCLOSURE AGREEMENT    [See Attached]        143      CONFIDENTIALITY/NONDISCLOSURE AGREEMENT    THIS AGREEMENT, made and entered into this ______ day of __________________, 202____, by and  between The Joint Corp., a Delaware corporation, (hereinafter referred to as "the Company") and  ____________________________________________________________________, whose address is  ____________________________________________________________ (hereinafter referred to as "Prospective  Regional Developer").    WITNESSETH THAT:    WHEREAS, Prospective Regional Developer desires to obtain certain confidential and proprietary  information from the Company for the sole purpose of inspecting and analyzing said information in an effort to  determine whether to purchase a franchise from the Company; and     WHEREAS, the Company is willing to provide such information to Prospective Regional Developer for  the limited purpose and under the terms and conditions set forth herein;     NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the mutual covenants and promises herein  contained, and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby  acknowledged by the parties hereto, the parties hereto agree as follows:    1. DEFINITION. "Confidential Information" is used herein to mean all information, documentation  and devices disclosed to or made available to Prospective Regional Developer by the Company, whether orally or  in writing, as well as any information, documentation or devises heretofore or hereafter produced by Prospective  Regional Developer in response to or in reliance on said information, documentation and devises made available by  the Company.    2. TERM. The parties hereto agree that the restrictions and obligations of Paragraph 3 of this  Agreement shall be deemed to have been in effect from the commencement on the ______ day of  __________________, 20____, of the ongoing negotiations between Prospective Regional Developer and the  Company and continue in perpetuity until disclosed by the Company.     3. TRADE SECRET ACKNOWLEDGEMENT. Prospective Regional Developer acknowledges  and agrees the Confidential Information is a valuable trade secret of the Company and that any disclosure or  unauthorized use thereof will cause irreparable harm and loss to the Company.    4. TREATMENT OF CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION. In consideration of the disclosure to  Prospective Regional Developer of Confidential Information, Prospective Regional Developer agrees to treat  Confidential Information in confidence and to undertake the following additional obligations with respect thereto:    (a) To use Confidential Information for the sole purpose of inspecting and analyzing the  information in an effort to determine whether to purchase a franchise from the Company and solely in its operation  of the Company Franchise;    (b) Not to disclose Confidential Information to any third party;    (c) To limit dissemination of Confidential Information to only those of Prospective Regional  Developer’s officers, directors and employees who have a need to know to perform the limited tasks set forth in  Item 4 (a) above; and who have agreed to the terms and obligations of this Agreement by affixing their signatures  hereto;    (d) Not to copy Confidential Information or any portions thereof; and    e) To return Confidential Information and all documents, notes or physical evidence thereof, to the     144      Company upon a determination that Prospective Regional Developer no longer has a need therefore, or a request  therefore, from the Company, whichever occurs first.    5. SURVIVAL OF OBLIGATIONS. The restrictions and obligations of this Agreement shall  survive any expiration, termination or cancellation of this Agreement and shall continue to bind Prospective  Regional Developer, his heirs, successors and assigns in perpetuity.    6. NEGATION OF LICENSES. Except as expressly set forth herein, no rights to licenses, expressed  or implied, are hereby granted to Prospective Regional Developer as a result of or related to this Agreement.    7. APPLICABLE LAW. This Agreement shall be construed and enforced in accordance with the  laws of the State of Arizona.    IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be duly executed.    THE JOINT CORP.    A Delaware corporation      BY:________________________________________    ITS:________________________________________        ________________________________________  (Signature of Prospective Regional Developer)      _________________________________________  Print Name of Prospective Regional Developer        145      EXHIBIT G-2    FORM OF ASSET PURCHASE AGREEMENT    [See Attached]       

 

   146      REGIONAL DEVELOPER LICENSE PURCHASE AGREEMENT    This REGIONAL DEVELOPER LICENSE PURCHASE AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”) is entered into the  date last set forth below on the signature page (the “Effective Date”), by and between THE JOINT CORP, a  Delaware corporation (“TJC”), ____________________ (“Seller”) and ___________________ (“Guarantor”).  TJC, Seller and Guarantor are at times referred to herein collectively as the “Parties”.    Background:    A. TJC and Seller are parties to a Regional Developer Agreement dated ______________________, (the  “RDA”), relating to TJC franchise territories in  ________________________________________ (“Development  Area”). Guarantor and Seller have executed a joint and several guaranty (the “Guaranty”) of Owner’s obligations  under the RDA.  B. The Seller now desires to sell the RDA and the Development Area, and TJC desires to purchase the  RDA on the terms and subject to the conditions of this Agreement.               Now, therefore, in consideration of their mutual promises and intending to be legally bound, the Parties agree  as follows:    Agreement:    1. Definitions  Capitalized terms used in this Agreement (including the preceding “Background” section) which are not  expressly defined in this Agreement shall have the meaning ascribed to such term(s) that they have in the RDA.  2. Purchase and Sale  (a) As of the closing date, Seller shall sell and TJC shall purchase RDA on the terms set forth herein, and  the “Bill of Sale and Assignment” at Exhibit A hereto. The Parties agree that, with the exception of the survival of  certain terms of the RDA as provided below in this Agreement (the “Surviving Terms”), upon the sale and purchase  of the RDA, the RDA shall be terminated, effective as of the date of closing of the transaction contemplated in this  Agreement; and with the exception of the Parties’ respective rights, duties and obligations under the Surviving  Terms, all of the Parties respective rights, duties and obligations under the RDA shall be thereby terminated.  (b) The closing date (“Closing”) of the transaction contemplated by this Agreement shall take place no later  than _______________________.  (c)  All liabilities and obligations of Seller of any kind, including but not limited to, Seller’s (1) contractual  obligations; (2) accounts payable accrued and debts incurred prior to the Closing; (3) obligations and liabilities with  respect to employee relationships, whether current, fixed or contingent; (4) liability for violation of any laws, rules,  regulations, permits, approvals or orders; and (5) taxes and related obligations not assumed by TJC remain the  responsibility of Seller.   (d)  Each of the Parties will bear its own costs and expenses (including legal fees and expenses) incurred in  connection with this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby. Seller will pay personal property,  business excise, sales and other similar taxes properly accruable with respect to the income resulting from  ownership of the RDA for any period up to and including the Closing. TJC will be responsible for all such expenses  accruing after the Closing.      147      3. Payment  (a) [IF APPLICABLE]Section 4 of the RDA provides that the “formula for repurchasing the  Development Area and these rights will be as follows: (a) $29,000 for each Franchise that is opened under to this  Agreement; plus (b) $7,250 for each Franchise that is unopened under this Agreement.” As of the Effective Date,  nine (9) Franchises have been opened under the RDA, and one (1) Franchise is unopened under the RDA. The  “Purchase Price” therefore for TJC to repurchase the Development Area and the rights therein, is  _____________________________________________ Dollars and No/100 ($____________).   (b)    At the Closing of the transaction contemplated in this Agreement, TJC shall pay to Seller the Purchase  Price in the amount of ______________________________________ Dollars and No/100 ($______________) in  immediately available funds by a wire transfer to the bank account designated by Seller. Seller agrees to provide  such wire information to TJC no less than five (5) days prior to the Closing. The wire information is as follows:  ____________________________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________.  (c)     Following the Closing and remittance of the Purchase Price to the Seller, the RDA (and any addenda)  and all of the rights thereto, shall automatically inure and transfer to TJC.   4. Surviving Terms  (a) Notwithstanding the sale and termination of the RDA, the following provisions of the RDA shall  survive and continue in effect in accordance with their terms:  (1) Subsection (c) (uncaptioned) of Section 5.2 (“Regional Developer Manual”);  (2) Section 12.2 (“Post-Term”) of Section 12 (“Non-Competition”);  (3) Section 13.2 (“Rights and Obligations Upon Termination or Expiration”); and  (4) for purposes of resolving any disputes under this Agreement, Section 14 (“Mediation and  Arbitration”).  (b) In addition, as many of the remaining provisions of the RDA shall survive and continue in effect as  may be necessary for (and solely for the purpose of) interpreting the Surviving Terms.  (c) Guarantor personally guarantees the performance by Seller of all of the Surviving Terms of the RDA.   5. Representations and Warranties    Seller and Guarantor hereby jointly and severally represent and warrant to TJC as follows:    (a) Organization. Seller and Guarantor have full power and authority to conduct their business as it is  now being conducted, and to execute, deliver and perform this Agreement.    (b) Authority. Neither Seller nor Guarantor is a party to, subject to, or bound by any agreement,  judgment, order, writ, injunction, or decree of any court or governmental body that prevents or impairs the carrying  out of this Agreement. All other actions (including all action required by state law) necessary to authorize the  execution, delivery and performance by Seller of this Agreement, and the other documents, instruments and  agreements necessary or appropriate to carry out the transactions herein contemplated, have been taken by Seller.     148      Upon the execution of this Agreement and the other documents and instruments contemplated hereby by Seller and  Guarantor, this Agreement and such other documents and instruments will be the valid and legally binding  obligations of Seller and Guarantor, enforceable against each of them in accordance with their respective terms,  subject to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium and similar laws affecting creditors’  rights generally, and subject, as to enforceability, to general principles of equity, including principles of commercial  reasonableness, good faith and fair dealing (regardless of whether enforcement is sought in a proceeding at law or  in equity).    (c) No Consent or Approval Required. No authorization, consent, approval or other order of,  declaration to or filing with any governmental body or authority is required for the consummation by Seller and  Guarantor of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.    (d) Compliance with Laws.  To the best of Seller’s and Guarantor’s knowledge, neither Seller nor  Guarantor is in violation of any of the terms, conditions or representations of the RDA, nor are they or any of them  subject to any liability in respect of, any federal, state, county, township, city or municipal laws, codes, regulations  or ordinances (including without limitation those relating to environmental protection, health, hazardous or toxic  substances, fire or safety hazards, occupational safety, labor laws, employment discrimination, subdivision,  building or zoning) with respect to the conduct of the Subject Franchise, nor has Seller or Guarantor received any  notices of investigation or violation pertaining to any such matters. To the best of Seller’s and Guarantor’s  knowledge, Seller and Guarantor have, and all professional employees or agents of Seller and Guarantor have, all  licenses, franchises, permits, authorizations or approvals from all governmental or regulatory authorities required  for the conduct of the Subject Franchise and neither Seller nor the professional employees or agents of Seller and  Guarantor have violated any such license, franchise, permit, authorization or approval or any terms or conditions  thereof.    (e) Litigation. There is no action, suit or proceeding pending, threatened against or affecting the RDA,  or relating to or arising out of, the ownership or operation of the Assets, including claims by employees of the  RDA.     (f) Financial Statements.  Seller has delivered to TJC the financial statements for the RDA as of and  for the calendar years 2018, 2019 and 2020 (collectively, the “Financial Statements”).  The Financial Statements  fairly present and will fairly present the financial position and results of operations of the Subject Franchise as of  and for the periods presented.    (g) Claims.  Neither Seller, Guarantor, nor any other person who holds or has ever held a direct or  indirect interest in the RDA has any claim, demand, or cause of action for damages of any kind whatsoever,  whether known or unknown, against TJC or its officers, directors, employees, attorneys, agents, successors and  assigns by reason of any event, occurrence or omission arising under, or relating to, the RDA.    (h) Pre-Closing Operations.  Until such time as the Subject Franchise has been transferred and  assigned to TJC, Seller and the Guarantor shall continue to operate the RDA in a commercially reasonable manner  (including without limitation, engaging in the sale of any products or packages at discounted amounts, or other  revenue “stuffing” activities), consistent with the respective franchise agreement, and neither the Seller nor  Guarantor shall take any actions or operate the Subject Franchise in such a way as to cause or precipitate any  diminution in their prospective, post-closing sales or any material shift in their prospective, post-closing revenue  streams.    (i) Due Diligence Request. Seller and Guarantor agree and acknowledge that TJC delivered the Due  Diligence Request. Seller further warrants, represents and covenants that it has disclosed all material disclosures,  documentation and information responsive to the Due Diligence Request.    (j) Personal Guarantee. As an inducement and as a condition of TJC to enter into this Agreement,     149      ___________________________ agrees individually, and as the sole shareholder of _________________, to  jointly and severally personally guarantee Seller’s and Guarantor’s performance, representations, covenants, and  obligations under this Agreement.       TJC hereby represents and warrants to each of Seller and Guarantor as follows:    (a) Organization.  TJC is a corporation duly organized and validly subsisting under the laws of the  state of Delaware, and TJC has full power and authority to conduct its business as it is now being conducted, and to  execute, deliver and perform this Agreement.    (b) Authority.  TJC is not a party to, subject to or bound by any agreement, judgment, order, writ,  injunction, or decree of any court or governmental body that prevents or impairs the carrying out of this Agreement.  The execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement and all other documents, instruments and agreements  contemplated hereby is subject to authorization and express written   approval by TJC’s Board of Directors. All  other actions (including all action required by state law and by the organizational documents of TJC) necessary to  authorize the execution, delivery and performance by TJC of this Agreement and any other documents, instruments  and agreements necessary or appropriate to carry out the transactions herein contemplated, have been taken by TJC.  Upon the execution of this Agreement and the other documents and instruments contemplated hereby by TJC, this  Agreement and such other documents and instruments will be the valid and legally binding obligations of TJC,  enforceable against it in accordance with their respective terms, subject to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency,  reorganization, moratorium and similar laws affecting creditors’ rights generally, and subject, as to enforceability,  to general principles of equity, including principles of commercial reasonableness, good faith and fair dealing  (regardless of whether enforcement is sought in a proceeding at law or in equity).    (c) No Consent or Approval Required. Except for the approval by TJC’s Board of Directors referenced  above, no authorization, consent, approval or other order of, declaration to or filing with any governmental body or  authority is required for the consummation by TJC of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.    (d) Conduct of Seller Pending Closing. Seller agrees from the date hereof until the Closing, unless  otherwise consented to by TJC in writing: (1) Seller will take such action as necessary to maintain, preserve, renew  and keep in full force and effect the existence, rights, licenses, permits and authorizations of the RDA; (2) Seller  will use its best efforts to preserve and maintain the RDA; and (3) Seller will comply with all laws, compliance  with which is required for the valid consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.     6. Releases  (a) Seller and Guarantor, for themselves and their and his heirs, legal representatives and assigns, each  hereby unconditionally and irrevocably releases and waives all claims, demands, causes of action and damages of  any kind whatever, whether known or unknown (collectively, “Claims”) that Seller or Guarantor now has or in the  future may have against TJC, its officers, directors, agents, affiliates, attorneys, employees, successors and assigns,  by reason of any event, occurrence or omission arising under or relating to the RDA, with the exception of Claims  arising under this Agreement.    (b) TJC, for itself and its successors and assigns, hereby unconditionally and irrevocably releases and  waives all Claims that TJC now has or in the future may have against Seller and Guarantor and it or his heirs, legal  representatives and assigns by reason of any event, occurrence or omission arising under or relating to the RDA  (provided that TJC has knowledge of any such claims as of the Effective Date), with the exception of Claims  arising under this Agreement.    (c) The foregoing releases shall not apply in the case of a claim for indemnification pursuant to  

 

   150      Paragraph 7 below.    7. No Assumption of Liabilities     Except as expressly provided in this Agreement, TJC shall not assume any debts, liabilities or obligations  of Seller, Guarantor or their shareholders, members, affiliates, officers, employees or agents of any nature, whether  known or unknown, fixed or contingent, including, but not limited to, debts, liabilities or obligations with regard or  in any way relating to any contracts (including, without limitation, any of the following: (i) employment  agreements; (ii) stock transfer agreements; (iii) medical direction agreements; or (iv) any other documents related to  the business, leases for real or personal property, trade payables, tax liabilities, disclosure obligations, product  liabilities, liabilities to any regulatory authorities, liabilities relating to any claims, litigation or judgments, any  pension, profit-sharing or other retirement plans, any medical, dental, hospitalization, life, disability or other benefit  plans, any stock ownership, stock purchase, deferred compensation, performance share, bonus or other incentive  plans, or any other similar plans, agreements, arrangements or understandings which Seller, Guarantor, or any of  their affiliates, maintain, sponsor or are required to make contributions to, in which any employee of Seller or  Guarantor participate or under which any such employee is entitled, by reason of such employment, to any benefits  (collectively the (“Excluded Liabilities”). However, any liability for periods after Closing under any assigned lease  for real property for a Subject Franchise shall not be an Excluded Liability.  8.      Indemnification  (a) Subject to the Sections below, Seller and the Guarantor agree, jointly and severally, to indemnify  TJC against and hold TJC harmless from:  (i) any loss, liability, damage, cost or expense, including reasonable attorneys’ fees and cost  of investigation (“Loss”) that TJC (or its directors, representatives, affiliates, employees, subsidiaries, and  other related parties or individuals) may suffer or incur that is caused by, arises out of or relates to any  inaccuracy in or breach of any representation and warranty by Seller or Guarantor of this Agreement;   (ii) any Loss that TJC may suffer or incur that is caused by, arises out of or relates to Seller’s  or Guarantor’s breach of or failure to perform any of their covenants and obligations in this Agreement in  any material respect; or   (iii)  any Loss that TJC may suffer or incur that is caused by, arises out of or relates to the  assertion against TJC of an Excluded Liability.   Claims asserted by TJC under subsections (i), (ii) and (iii) above are hereinafter referred to as TJC’s  “Indemnification Claim(s).”  (b) The benefit of the indemnification obligations of Seller and the Guarantor under this Section shall  extend to the respective officers, directors, employees and agents of TJC and its affiliates.  9. Indemnification of Seller and the Guarantor  (a) Subject to the Sections herein, TJC agrees to indemnify Seller and the Guarantor against and hold  each of them harmless from:  (i) any Loss that Seller or the Guarantor may suffer or incur that is caused by, arises out of or  relates to any inaccuracy in or breach of any representation and warranty by TJC of this Agreement;   (ii) any Loss that Seller or the Guarantor may suffer or incur that is caused by, arises out of or  relates to TJC’s breach of or failure to perform any of its obligations in this Agreement in any material     151      respect; or   (iii) any Loss that Seller or the Guarantor may suffer or incur that is caused by, arises out of or  relates to TJC’s operation of the RDA after Closing.  Claims asserted by Seller or the Guarantor under subsections (i), (ii) and (iii) above are hereinafter referred to as  Sellers’ or the Guarantor’s “Indemnification Claim(s).”   (b) The benefit of TJC’s indemnification obligation under this Section shall extend to the heirs and  legal representatives of Seller and the Guarantor.  10. Threshold and Cap  (a) In respect of TJC’s assertion of an Indemnification Claim herein, TJC shall not be entitled to  indemnification until the aggregate amount for which indemnification is sought exceeds $5,000.00. If this threshold  is reached, TJC may assert an Indemnification Claim for the full amount of the claim (going back to the first dollar)  and may assert any subsequent Indemnification Claim herein without regard to any threshold.  Furthermore, no  threshold or cap shall apply, however, in the case of any Loss caused by, arising out of or relating to any fraud or  intentional misrepresentation.   (b) In respect of Seller’s and/or a Guarantor’s assertion of an Indemnification Claim under these  Sections, Seller and/or the Guarantor shall not be entitled to indemnification until the aggregate amount for which  indemnification is sought collectively exceeds $5,000.00. The maximum aggregate amount for which Seller and/or  the Guarantor may assert Indemnification Claims hereunder shall be the Purchase Price. No threshold shall apply,  however, in the case of any Loss caused by, arising out of or relating to any fraud or intentional misrepresentation.  11. Survival  (a) An Indemnification Claim herein may be asserted at any time prior to the second anniversary of the  Closing Date, with the exception that:  (i) an Indemnification Claim in respect of any inaccuracy in or breach of any of the  representations and warranties (“Taxes”) may be asserted at any time prior to the expiration of the  applicable statute of limitation; and  (ii) an Indemnification Claim in respect of any inaccuracy in or breach of any of the  representations and warranties (“Authority”) may be asserted at any time without limit.  (b)  All other Indemnification Claims may be asserted at any time prior to ninety (90) days after the  expiration of the applicable statute of limitation.  12. Notice of Indemnification Claim   The indemnified party may assert an Indemnification Claim by giving written notice of the  Indemnification Claim to the indemnifying party. The indemnified party’s notice shall provide reasonable detail of  the facts giving rise to the Indemnification Claim and a statement of the indemnified party’s Loss or an estimate of  the Loss that the indemnified party reasonably anticipates that it will suffer. The indemnified party may amend or  supplement its Indemnification Claim at any time, and more than once, by written notice to the indemnifying party.  13. Resolution of Claims  (a) If the indemnifying party does not object to an Indemnification Claim during the 30-day period     152      following receipt of the indemnified party’s notice of its Indemnification Claim, the indemnified party’s  Indemnification Claim shall be considered undisputed, and the indemnified party shall be entitled to recover the  actual amount of its indemnifiable loss from the indemnifying party, subject to the threshold, if any.  (b) If the indemnifying party gives notice to the indemnified party within the 30-day objection period  that the indemnifying party objects to the indemnified party’s Indemnification Claim, the indemnifying party and  the indemnified party shall attempt in good faith to resolve their differences during the 30-day period following the  indemnified party’s receipt of the indemnifying party’s notice of its objection. If they fail to resolve their  disagreement during this 30-day period, either of them may unilaterally submit the disputed Indemnification Claim  for non-binding arbitration before the American Arbitration Association in Phoenix, Arizona in accordance with its  rules for commercial arbitration in effect at the time, which shall be a condition precedent to seeking resolution of  the disputed Indemnification Claim before any court of competent jurisdiction. The award of the arbitrator or panel  of arbitrators may include attorneys’ fees to the prevailing party. The prevailing party may enforce the award of the  arbitrator or panel of arbitrators in any court of competent jurisdiction.  14. Third Party Suits   (a) Indemnified party shall promptly give notice to indemnifying party of any suit, demand, or claim  by a third person against indemnified party, for which indemnified party is entitled to indemnification (a “Third  Party Suit”), which may be given by notice of an Indemnification Claim in respect of the Third-Party Suit.  Indemnified party’s failure or delay in giving this notice shall not relieve indemnifying party from its  indemnification obligation under this Section in respect of the Third-Party Suit, except to the extent that  indemnifying party suffers or incur a loss or is prejudiced by reason of indemnified party’s failure or delay.  (b) Indemnified party shall control the defense of any Third-Party Suit. Indemnifying party shall be  entitled to copies of all pleadings and, at its expense, may participate in, but not control, the defense and employ its  own counsel.  Indemnifying party shall in any event reasonably cooperate in the defense of the Third-Party Suit.  (c) Indemnified party’s settlement of a Third-Party Suit shall also be binding on indemnifying party, in  the same manner as if a final judgment in the amount of the settlement had been entered by a court of competent  jurisdiction, if, as part of the settlement, indemnifying party receives a binding release providing that any liability  of indemnifying party in respect of the Third-Party Suit is being satisfied as part of the settlement. Indemnified  party shall give indemnifying party at least thirty (30) days’ prior notice of any proposed settlement, and during this  thirty (30)-day period indemnifying party may reject the proposed settlement and instead assume the defense of the  Third-Party Suit if:  (i) the Third-Party Suit seeks only money damages and does not seek injunctive or other  equitable relief against indemnified party;  (ii) Indemnifying party unconditionally acknowledges in writing to indemnified party that  indemnifying party is obligated to indemnify indemnified party in full in respect of the Third-Party Suit  (except for any matters that are not subject to indemnification under this Agreement);  (iii) the counsel chosen by indemnifying party to defend the Third-Party Suit is reasonably  satisfactory to indemnified party;  (iv) Indemnifying party furnishes indemnified party with security reasonably satisfactory to  indemnified party to assure that indemnifying party have the financial resources to defend the Third-Party  Suit and to satisfy their indemnification obligation in respect of the Third-Party Suit;  (v) Indemnifying party actively and diligently defends the Third-Party Suit; and     153      (vi) Indemnifying party consults with indemnified party regarding the Third-Party Suit at  indemnified party’s reasonable request.  If indemnifying party assumes the defense of the Third-Party Suit, indemnified party shall be entitled to  copies of all pleadings and, at its expense, may participate in, but not control, the defense and employ its own  counsel.  (d) Indemnifying party may settle a Third-Party Suit in which, indemnifying party controls the defense  only if the following conditions are satisfied:  (i) the terms of settlement do not require any admission by indemnifying party or indemnified  party, in respect of any matters subject to indemnification under this Agreement, that in indemnified party’s  reasonable judgment would have an adverse effect on indemnified party; and  (ii) as part of the settlement, indemnified party receives a binding release providing that any  liability of indemnified party in respect of the Third-Party Suit is being satisfied as part of the settlement.  (e) Indemnified party’s failure to defend a Third Party Suit shall not relieve indemnifying party of its  indemnification obligations hereunder if indemnified party gives indemnifying party at least thirty (30) days’ prior  notice of indemnified party’s intention not to defend the Third Party Suit and affords indemnifying party the  opportunity to assume the defense without having to satisfy the conditions in this Section for assuming the defense.    15. Confidentiality  Seller and Guarantor acknowledge that both the existence of this Agreement and the provisions that it  contains are confidential and each agrees that it or he will not directly or indirectly, by any means, disclose to any  third party either the existence of this Agreement or the provisions that it contains without the prior written  approval of TJC. Seller and Guarantor agree that if it or he violates this confidentiality obligation, then in addition  to any other remedies that may be available to TJC, TJC shall be entitled to seek a temporary restraining order, and  a preliminary and permanent injunction to prevent Seller’s or Guarantor’s continued violation, without the necessity  of proving actual damages or posting any bond or other security.    16. Non-Disparagement  None of the Parties shall make any oral or written statement about any other party which is intended or  reasonably likely to disparage the other party, or otherwise degrade the other party's reputation in the business or  legal community or in the telecommunications industry.  17. Counterparts  This Agreement may be signed in any number of counterparts (including by facsimile or portable document  format (pdf)), all of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument.    18. Governing Law  This Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the State of Arizona without regard to conflicts-of-law  principles or rules that would require this Agreement to be governed by the laws of a different state.    19.    Dispute Resolution     Seller and TJC shall attempt to settle any and all disputes, controversies or claims arising out of or relating  to this Agreement through good faith negotiation. If the matter is not resolved through good faith negotiation, such  

 

   154      disputes, controversies or claims may then be submitted to mediation. Any matter not being settled by negotiation  or mediation, shall then proceed to binding arbitration. The Parties agree to use an established alternative dispute  resolution organization based in Maricopa County, Arizona. The prevailing party shall be entitled to recover  reasonable attorneys’ fees and costs.     20. Binding Effect  This Agreement shall apply to, be binding in all respects upon and inure to the benefit of Parties and their  respective heirs, legal representatives, successors and assigns.     In witness whereof, the Parties, by each of their authorized representatives, have executed this  Agreement as of the Effective Date.                                       “TJC”  THE JOINT CORP., a Delaware corporation      By         Peter Holt, President & CEO  Date: _______________________________________      “SELLER”     By: ____________________________________  Print: __________________________________  Its: ____________________________________  Date: __________________________________      “GUARANTOR”    ______________________________________    By: ____________________________________                                                                                Print: _____________________, an individual  Date: ________________________________            [Signature page to Regional Developer License Purchase Agreement]                  155        Exhibit A – Bill of Sale and Assignment    Bill of Sale and Assignment  This Bill of Sale and Assignment is made by _______________ (“Seller”) as of the date last set forth  below on the signature page, to and in favor of The Joint Corp., a Delaware corporation (“TJC”), and is delivered  pursuant to that certain Regional Developer License Purchase Agreement dated as of ____________________, (the  “Purchase Agreement”), by and between The Joint Corp., a Delaware corporation (“TJC”), Seller and  ________________ (“Guarantor”).  Capitalized terms used in this Bill of Sale and Assignment without being defined have the same meanings  that they have in the Purchase Agreement.   For value received, the receipt and sufficiency of which is acknowledged, the Seller grants, bargains, sells,  delivers, transfers, assigns and conveys to TJC, its successors and assigns, all of her right, title and interest in, to  and under the RDA.   To have and to hold the RDA unto TJC, its successors and assigns forever.    In furtherance of the foregoing, Guarantor, by his execution and delivery hereof, hereby grants, bargains,  sells, delivers, transfers, assigns and conveys to TJC, its successors and assigns, all of his right, title and interest (if  any) in, to and under the _______________ RDA.    “SELLER”    ________________________________    By: ____________________________________  Print: __________________________________  Its: ____________________________________  Date: __________________________________      “GUARANTOR”    ______________________________________    By: ____________________________________                                                                                Print: _____________________, an individual  Date: ________________________________        156      EXHIBIT G-3    MAGNIFY LICENSE AGREEMENT    [See Attached]        157      REGIONAL DEVELOPER ACKNOWLEDGEMENT AND CONSENT AGREEMENT    Regional Developer: ______________________________________ (the “RD”)    Territory:  ______________________________________ (“Territory”)    Subject Matter:  Magnify Mapping Program  (the “Software”)    This Regional Developer Acknowledgement and Consent Agreement (“Agreement”) is entered into by the RD as of  the date set forth below. The RD entered into a “Regional Developer Agreement” with The Joint Corp., a Delaware  corporation (“TJC”). The RD hereby acknowledges and provides its formal election to TJC, to utilize the Software  in the Territory under its applicable Regional Developer Agreement with TJC for Eight Hundred Dollars and  NO/100 ($800.00) per year (the “Software Cost”), with the first year commencing February 1, 2020 and ending on  January 31, 2021 (“Original Term”). This Agreement shall automatically renew for successive one-year renewal  periods (each, a “Renewal Term”) unless RD provides TJC written notice of cancellation at least thirty (30) days  prior to the end of the Original Term or any Renewal Term, as applicable; or the applicable Regional Developer  Agreement is terminated or expires.    RD hereby agrees and consents to TJC deducting the entire annual Software Cost under this Agreement from its  applicable February monthly payment under its Regional Developer Agreement each year, commencing with the  payment for February 2020 for the Original Term and each February thereafter for each applicable Renewal Term.    This RD agrees and acknowledges that this Agreement shall be incorporated into, and a part of, the RD’s Regional  Developer Agreement; which shall remain in effect under its terms and conditions. The RD agrees to the terms  herein by executing below.    “RD”      Print: __________________________________________ (RD’s Legal Entity or Name as set forth in the  applicable Regional Developer Agreement)    By:  ______________________________________  Its:  ______________________________________  Date: _____________________________________    By:  ______________________________________  Its:  ______________________________________  Date: _____________________________________    By:  ______________________________________  Its:  ______________________________________    

 

   158      EXHIBIT I    State Effective Dates    The following states have franchise laws that require that the Franchise Disclosure Document be  registered or filed with the state, or be exempt from registration: California, Hawaii, Illinois,  Indiana, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, New York, North Dakota, Rhode Island, South Dakota,  Virginia, Washington, and Wisconsin.     This document is effective and may be used in the following states, where the document is filed,  registered or exempt from registration, as of the Effective Date stated below:    State Effective Date  California    Hawaii    Illinois    Indiana    Maryland    Michigan    Minnesota    New York    North Dakota    Rhode Island    South Dakota    Virginia    Washington    Wisconsin        Other states may require registration, filing, or exemption of a franchise under other laws, such as  those that regulate the offer and sale of business opportunities or seller-assisted marketing plans.    159      EXHIBIT J    RECEIPTS     160      RECEIPT   (YOUR COPY – RETAIN FOR YOUR FILES)  This Disclosure Document summarizes certain provisions of the Regional Developer Agreement and other  information in plain language.  Read this Disclosure Document and all agreements carefully.    If The Joint Corp. offers you a franchise, it must provide this Disclosure Document to you fourteen (14) calendar  days before you sign a binding agreement with, or make a payment to, the franchisor or an affiliate in connection  with the proposed franchise sale, or sooner if required by applicable law.    New York and Rhode Island require that we give you this Disclosure Document at the earlier of the first personal  meeting or 10 business days before execution of the franchise or other agreement or the payment of any  consideration that relates to the franchise relationship.  Michigan and Oregon require that we give you this  Disclosure Document at least 10 business days before the execution of any binding franchise agreement or other  agreement or the payment of any consideration, whichever occurs first.    If The Joint Corp. does not deliver this Disclosure Document on time, or if it contains a false or misleading  statement, or a material omission, a violation of federal law and state law may have occurred and should be  reported to the Federal Trade Commission, Washington, D.C. 20580 and the applicable state agency listed in  Exhibit A.    The franchisor is The Joint Corp., located at 16767 N. Perimeter Dr., Suite 110, Scottsdale, Arizona 85260.  Its  telephone number is (480) 245-5960.    The following franchise seller(s) will represent us in connection with the sale of our franchises: Eric Simon (Name)  at 16767 N. Perimeter Dr., Suite 110, Scottsdale, Arizona 85260 (Principal Address) and (480) 245-5960  (Telephone Number).    Date of Issuance: April 29, 2021  See Exhibit A for our registered agents authorized to receive service of process.    I have received a Franchise Disclosure Document dated April 29, 2021.  This Disclosure Document included the  following Exhibits:  A. State Administrators /Agents for Service of Process  B. Regional Developer Agreement and Related Agreements  C. Table of Contents of Manuals  D. Financial Statements  E. List of Regional Developers  F. State-Specific Disclosures  G. Other Agreements  G-1  Confidentiality/Non-Disclosure Agreement  G-2  Form of Asset Purchase Agreement  G-3  Magnify License Agreement  H. State Effective Dates  I. Receipts    _____________________________________     Signature of Prospective Regional Developer     Date: ________________________________    Print Name:____________________________      You may return the signed receipt either by signing, dating, and mailing it to us at The Joint Corp., located at 16767  N. Perimeter Dr., Suite 100, Scottsdale, Arizona 85260, or by faxing a copy of the signed and dated receipt to us at  (480) 513-7989.      161      RECEIPT     (OUR COPY – SIGN, DATE AND RETURN TO US)  This Disclosure Document summarizes certain provisions of the Regional Developer Agreement and other  information in plain language.  Read this Disclosure Document and all agreements carefully.    If The Joint Corp. offers you a franchise, it must provide this Disclosure Document to you fourteen (14) calendar  days before you sign a binding agreement with, or make a payment to, the franchisor or an affiliate in connection  with the proposed franchise sale, or sooner if required by applicable law.    New York and Rhode Island require that we give you this Disclosure Document at the earlier of the first personal  meeting or 10 business days before execution of the franchise or other agreement or the payment of any  consideration that relates to the franchise relationship.  Michigan and Oregon require that we give you this  Disclosure Document at least 10 business days before the execution of any binding franchise agreement or other  agreement or the payment of any consideration, whichever occurs first.    If The Joint Corp. does not deliver this Disclosure Document on time, or if it contains a false or misleading  statement, or a material omission, a violation of federal law and state law may have occurred and should be  reported to the Federal Trade Commission, Washington, D.C. 20580 and the applicable state agency listed in  Exhibit A.    The franchisor is The Joint Corp., located at 16767 N. Perimeter Dr., Suite 110, Scottsdale, Arizona 85260.  Its  telephone number is (480) 245-5960.    The following franchise seller(s) will represent us in connection with the sale of our franchises: Eric Simon (Name)  at 16767 N. Perimeter Dr., Suite 110, Scottsdale, Arizona 85260 (Principal Address) and (480) 245-5960  (Telephone Number).    Date of Issuance: April 29, 2021  See Exhibit A for our registered agents authorized to receive service of process.    I have received a Franchise Disclosure Document dated April 29, 2021.  This Disclosure Document included the  following Exhibits:  A. State Administrators /Agents for Service of Process  B. Regional Developer Agreement and Related Agreements  C. Table of Contents of Manuals  D. Financial Statements  E. List of Regional Developers  F. State-Specific Disclosures  G. Other Agreements  G-1  Confidentiality/Non-Disclosure Agreement  G-2  Form of Asset Purchase Agreement  G-3  Magnify License Agreement  H. State Effective Dates  I. Receipts    _____________________________________     Signature of Prospective Regional Developer     Date: ________________________________    Print Name:____________________________      You may return the signed receipt either by signing, dating, and mailing it to us at The Joint Corp., located at 16767  N. Perimeter Dr., Suite 100, Scottsdale, Arizona 85260, or by faxing a copy of the signed and dated receipt to us at  (480) 513-7989.EX-4.5

 Exhibit 4.5 

Description of the Company’s Securities Registered 

Under Section 12 of the Exchange Act of 1934 

The following description of our units, common stock and warrants is a summary and does not purport to be complete. It is subject to and qualified in its
entirety by reference to our amended and restated certificate of incorporation, bylaws and warrant agreement, each of which are incorporated by reference as an exhibit to the Annual Report on Form 10-K of
which this Exhibit 4.5 is a part. 
 Units 
 Each unit
consists of one share of our Class A common stock and one-third of one redeemable warrant. Each whole warrant entitles the holder thereof to purchase one share of our Class A common stock at a price
of $11.50 per share, subject to adjustment as described below. Pursuant to the warrant agreement, a warrant holder may exercise its warrants only for a whole number of the shares of the Company’s Class A common stock. This means only a
whole warrant may be exercised at any given time by a warrant holder. No fractional warrants will be issued upon separation of the units and only whole warrants will trade. Accordingly, unless you purchase at least three units, you will not be able
to receive or trade a whole warrant. 
 Holders have the option to continue to hold units or separate their units into the component securities. Holders
will need to have their brokers contact our transfer agent in order to separate the units into Class A common stock and warrants. 
 Additionally, the
units will automatically separate into their component parts and will not be traded after completion of our initial Business Combination. 
 Common Stock

 Pursuant to our amended and restated certificate of incorporation, our authorized capital stock consists of 200,000,000 shares of our Class A
common stock, $0.0001 par value, 20,000,000 shares of our Class B common stock, $0.0001 par value, and 1,000,000 shares of undesignated preferred stock, $0.0001 par value. The following description summarizes the material terms of our capital
stock. 
 Stockholders of record are entitled to one vote for each share held on all matters to be voted on by stockholders. Holders of shares of our
Class A common stock and holders of shares of our Class B common stock will vote together as a single class on all matters submitted to a vote of our stockholders except as required by law. Unless specified in our amended and restated
certificate of incorporation, or as required by applicable provisions of the DGCL or applicable stock exchange rules, the affirmative vote of a majority of our shares of common stock that are voted is required to approve any such matter voted on by
our stockholders. Our board of directors is divided into three classes, each of which serves for a term of three years with only one class of directors being elected in each year. There is no cumulative voting with respect to the election of
directors, with the result that the holders of more than 50% of the shares voted for the election of directors can elect all of the directors. Our stockholders are entitled to receive ratable dividends when, as and if declared by the board of
directors out of funds legally available therefor. Prior to our initial Business Combination, only holders of our founder shares have the right to vote on the appointment of directors. Holders of our public shares are not entitled to vote on the
appointment of directors during such time. In addition, prior to the completion of an initial Business Combination, holders of a majority of our founder shares may remove a member of the board of directors for any reason. These provisions of our
amended and restated certificate of incorporation may be amended only by approval of at least 90% of the shares of our Class B common stock voting in an annual meeting. 

Because our amended and restated certificate of incorporation authorizes the issuance of up to 200,000,000 shares of our Class A common stock, if we were
to enter into a Business Combination, we may (depending on the terms of such a Business Combination) be required to increase the number of shares of our Class A common stock which we will be authorized to issue at the same time as our
stockholders vote on the initial Business Combination to the extent we seek stockholder approval in connection with our initial Business Combination. 

 We will provide our public stockholders with the opportunity to redeem all or a portion of their public
shares upon the completion of our initial Business Combination at a per-stock price, payable in cash, equal to the aggregate amount then on deposit in the trust account calculated as of two business days prior
to the consummation of our initial Business Combination, including interest earned on the funds held in the trust account and not previously released to us to pay our taxes divided by the number of the then-outstanding public shares, subject to the
limitations described herein. The per-share amount we will distribute to investors who properly redeem their shares will not be reduced by the deferred underwriting commissions we will pay to the underwriters.
The redemption rights will include the requirement that a beneficial owner must identify itself in order to validly redeem its shares. Unlike many blank check companies that hold stockholder votes and conduct proxy solicitations in conjunction with
their initial Business Combinations and provide for related redemptions of public shares for cash upon completion of such initial Business Combinations even when a vote is not required by law, if a stockholder vote is not required by applicable law
or stock exchange listing requirements and we do not decide to hold a stockholder vote for business or other reasons, we will, pursuant to our amended and restated certificate of incorporation, conduct the redemptions pursuant to the tender offer
rules of the SEC and file tender offer documents with the SEC prior to completing our initial Business Combination. Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation requires these tender offer documents to contain substantially the same
financial and other information about the initial Business Combination and the redemption rights as is required under the SEC’s proxy rules. If, however, a stockholder approval of the transaction is required by applicable law or stock exchange
listing requirements, or we decide to obtain stockholder approval for business or other reasons, we will, like many blank check companies, offer to redeem shares in conjunction with a proxy solicitation pursuant to the proxy rules and not pursuant
to the tender offer rules. If we seek stockholder approval, we will complete our initial Business Combination only if a majority of the shares of common stock voted are voted in favor of our initial Business Combination. For purposes of seeking
approval of the majority of our outstanding shares of common stock, non-votes will have no effect on the approval of our initial Business Combination once a quorum is obtained. 

If we seek stockholder approval of our initial Business Combination and we do not conduct redemptions in connection with our initial Business Combination
pursuant to the tender offer rules, our amended and restated certificate of incorporation provides that a public stockholder, together with any affiliate of such stockholder or any other person with whom such stockholder is acting in concert or as a
“group” (as defined under Section 13 of the Exchange Act), will be restricted from redeeming its shares with respect to Excess Shares, without our prior consent. However, we would not be restricting our stockholders’ ability to
vote all of their shares (including Excess Shares) for or against our initial Business Combination. Our stockholders’ inability to redeem the Excess Shares will reduce their influence over our ability to complete our initial Business
Combination, and such stockholders could suffer a material loss in their investment if they sell such Excess Shares on the open market. Additionally, such stockholders will not receive redemption distributions with respect to the Excess Shares if we
complete our initial Business Combination. And, as a result, such stockholders will continue to hold that number of shares exceeding 15% and, in order to dispose such shares would be required to sell their shares in open market transactions,
potentially at a loss. 
 Pursuant to our amended and restated certificate of incorporation, if we have not consummated an initial Business Combination
within 24 months from the closing of the Initial Public Offering, we will (i) cease all operations except for the purpose of winding up; (ii) as promptly as reasonably possible but not more than ten business days thereafter, redeem the
public shares, at a per-stock price, payable in cash, equal to the aggregate amount then on deposit in the trust account, including interest earned on the funds held in the trust account and not previously
released to us to pay our taxes divided by the number of the then-outstanding public shares, which redemption will completely extinguish public stockholders’ rights as stockholders (including the right to receive further liquidation
distributions, if any); and (iii) as promptly as reasonably possible following such redemption, subject to the approval of our remaining stockholders and our Board, liquidate and dissolve, subject in each case to our obligations under Delaware
law to provide for claims of creditors and the requirements of other applicable law. 
 In the event of a liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the
Company after a Business Combination, our stockholders are entitled to share ratably in all assets remaining available for distribution to them after payment of liabilities and after provision is made for each class of shares, if any, having
preference over the common stock. Our stockholders have no preemptive or other subscription rights. There are no sinking fund provisions applicable to the common stock, except that we will provide our public stockholders with the opportunity to
redeem their public 

 
shares for cash at a per stock price equal to the aggregate amount then on deposit in the trust account, including interest earned on the funds held in the trust account and not previously
released to us to pay our taxes (less up to $100,000 of interest to pay dissolution expenses), divided by the number of the then-outstanding public shares, upon the completion of our initial Business Combination, subject to the limitations described
herein. 
 Public Stockholders’ Warrants 
 We have
issued warrants to purchase 9,583,333 of our Class A common stock. Each whole warrant entitles the registered holder to purchase one share of our Class A common stock at a price of $11.50 per share, subject to adjustment as discussed
below, at any time commencing on the later of one year from the closing of our Initial Public Offering and 30 days after the completion of our initial Business Combination, except as discussed in the immediately succeeding paragraph. Pursuant to the
warrant agreement, a warrant holder may exercise its warrants only for a whole number of shares of our Class A common stock. This means only a whole warrant may be exercised at a given time by a warrant holder. No fractional warrants will be
issued upon separation of the units and only whole warrants trade. Accordingly, unless a holder purchases at least three units, they are not able to receive or trade a whole warrant. The warrants will expire five years after the completion of our
initial Business Combination, at 5:00 p.m., New York City time, or earlier upon redemption or liquidation. 
 We are not obligated to deliver any
Class A common stock pursuant to the exercise of a warrant and have no obligation to settle such warrant exercise unless a registration statement under the Securities Act with respect to the shares of our Class A common stock underlying
the warrants is then effective and a prospectus relating thereto is current, subject to our satisfying our obligations described below with respect to registration, or a valid exemption from registration is available. No warrant is exercisable and
we are not obligated to issue a share of our Class A common stock upon exercise of a warrant unless the share of our Class A common stock issuable upon such warrant exercise has been registered, qualified or deemed to be exempt under the
securities laws of the state of residence of the registered holder of the warrants. In the event that the conditions in the two immediately preceding sentences are not satisfied with respect to a warrant, the holder of such warrant will not be
entitled to exercise such warrant and such warrant may have no value and expire worthless. In no event will we be required to net cash settle any warrant. In the event that a registration statement is not effective for the exercised warrants, the
purchaser of a unit containing such warrant will have paid the full purchase price for the unit solely for the share of our Class A common stock underlying such unit. 

We have agreed that as soon as practicable, but in no event later than twenty business days after the closing of our initial Business Combination, we will use
our commercially reasonable efforts to file with the SEC a registration statement for the registration, under the Securities Act, of the Class A common stock issuable upon exercise of the warrants, and we will use our commercially reasonable
efforts to cause the same to become effective within 60 business days after the closing of our initial Business Combination, and to maintain the effectiveness of such registration statement and a current prospectus relating to those shares of our
Class A common stock until the warrants expire or are redeemed, as specified in the warrant agreement; provided that if our Class A common stock are at the time of any exercise of a warrant not listed on a national securities exchange such
that they satisfy the definition of a “covered security” under Section 18(b)(1) of the Securities Act, we may, at our option, require holders of public warrants who exercise their warrants to do so on a “cashless basis” in
accordance with Section 3(a)(9) of the Securities Act and, in the event we so elect, we will not be required to file or maintain in effect a registration statement, but we will use our commercially reasonable efforts to register or qualify the
shares under applicable blue sky laws to the extent an exemption is not available. If a registration statement covering the Class A common stock issuable upon exercise of the warrants is not effective by the 60th day after the closing of the
initial Business Combination, warrant holders may, until such time as there is an effective registration statement and during any period when we will have failed to maintain an effective registration statement, exercise warrants on a “cashless
basis” in accordance with Section 3(a)(9) of the Securities Act or another exemption, but we will use our commercially reasonably efforts to register or qualify the shares under applicable blue sky laws to the extent an exemption is not
available. In such event, each holder would pay the exercise price by surrendering the warrants for that number of shares of our Class A common stock equal to the lesser of (A) the quotient obtained by dividing (x) the product of the
number of shares of our Class A common stock underlying the warrants, multiplied by the excess of the “fair market value” (defined below) less the exercise price of the warrants by (y) the fair market value and (B) 0.361 per
warrant. The “fair market value” as used in this paragraph shall mean the volume weighted average price 

 
of the Class A common stock for the 10 trading days ending on the trading day prior to the date on which the notice of exercise is received by the warrant agent. 

Redemption of Warrants When the Price Per Share of our Class A Common Stock Equals or Exceeds $18.00 

Once the warrants become exercisable, we may redeem the outstanding warrants (except as described herein with respect to the private placement warrants): 

 

	 	•	 	 in whole and not in part; 

 

	 	•	 	 at a price of $0.01 per warrant; 

 

	 	•	 	 upon a minimum of 30 days’ prior written notice of redemption to each warrant holder; and

  

	 	•	 	 if, and only if, the closing price of the Class A common stock equals or exceeds $18.00 per share (as
adjusted for adjustments to the number of shares issuable upon exercise or the exercise prices of a warrant) on the trading day prior to the date on which we send the notice of redemption to the warrant holders. 

We will not redeem the warrants as described above unless a registration statement under the Securities Act covering the issuance of the shares of our
Class A common stock issuable upon exercise of the warrants is then effective and a current prospectus relating to those shares of our Class A common stock is available throughout the 30-day
redemption period. If and when the warrants become redeemable by us, we may exercise our redemption right even if we are unable to register or qualify the underlying securities for sale under all applicable state securities laws. 

We have established the last of the redemption criterion discussed above to prevent a redemption call unless there is at the time of the call a significant
premium to the warrant exercise price. If the foregoing conditions are satisfied and we issue a notice of redemption of the warrants, each warrant holder will be entitled to exercise his, her or its warrant prior to the scheduled redemption date.
Any such exercise would not be done on a “cashless” basis and would require the exercising warrant holder to pay the exercise price for each warrant being exercised. However, the price per share of the Class A common stock may fall
below the $18.00 redemption trigger price (as adjusted for adjustments to the number of shares issuable upon exercise or the exercise price of a warrant) as well as the $11.50 (for whole shares) warrant exercise price after the redemption notice is
issued. 
 Redemption of Warrants When the Price Per Share of our Class A Common Stock Equals or Exceeds $10.00 

Once the warrants become exercisable, we may redeem the outstanding warrants (except as described herein with respect to the private placement warrants): 

 

	 	•	 	 in whole and not in part; 

 

	 	•	 	 at $0.10 per warrant upon a minimum of 30 days’ prior written notice of redemption provided that holders
will be able to exercise their warrants on a cashless basis prior to redemption and receive that number of shares determined by reference to the table below, based on the redemption date and the “fair market value” of our Class A
common stock except as otherwise described below; and 

  

	 	•	 	 if, and only if, the closing price of our Class A common stock equals or exceeds $10.00 per public share (as
adjusted for adjustments to the number of shares issuable upon exercise or the exercise price of a warrant as) on the trading day prior to the date on which we send the notice of redemption to the warrant holders. 

Beginning on the date the notice of redemption is given until the warrants are redeemed or exercised, holders may elect to exercise their warrants on a
cashless basis. The numbers in the table below represent the number of shares of our Class A common stock that a warrant holder will receive upon such cashless exercise in connection with a redemption by us pursuant to this redemption feature,
based on the “fair market value” of our Class A common stock on the corresponding redemption date (assuming holders elect to exercise their warrants and such warrants are not redeemed for $0.10 per warrant), determined for these
purposes based on the volume weighted average price of our Class A common stock for the 10 trading days ending on the third trading day prior to the date on which the notice of redemption is sent to the holders of warrants, and the number of
months that the corresponding redemption date precedes the expiration date of the warrants, each as set forth in the table below. We will provide our warrant 

 
holders with the final fair market value no later than one business day after the 10-trading day period described above ends. 

Pursuant to the warrant agreement, references above to shares of our Class A common stock shall include a security other than shares of our Class A
common stock into which the shares of our Class A common stock have been converted or exchanged for in the event we are not the surviving company in our initial Business Combination. The numbers in the table below will not be adjusted when
determining the number of shares of our Class A common stock to be issued upon exercise of the warrants if we are not the surviving entity following our initial Business Combination. 

The stock prices set forth in the column headings of the table below will be adjusted as of any date on which the number of shares issuable upon exercise of a
warrant or the exercise price of a warrant is adjusted as set forth under the heading “—Anti-dilution Adjustments” below. If the number of shares issuable upon exercise of a warrant is adjusted, the adjusted stock prices in the column
headings will equal the stock prices immediately prior to such adjustment, multiplied by a fraction, the numerator of which is the exercise price of the warrant after such adjustment and the denominator of which is the exercise price of the warrant
immediately prior to such adjustment. In such an event, the number of shares in the table below shall be adjusted by multiplying such share amounts by a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of shares deliverable upon exercise of a warrant
immediately prior to such adjustment and the denominator of which is the number of shares deliverable upon exercise of a warrant as so adjusted. If the exercise price of a warrant is adjusted, (a) in the case of an adjustment pursuant to the
fifth paragraph under the heading “—Anti-dilution Adjustments” below, the adjusted stock prices in the column headings will equal the unadjusted stock price multiplied by a fraction, the numerator of which is the higher of the Market
Value and the Newly Issued Price as set forth under the heading “—Anti-dilution Adjustments” and the denominator of which is $10.00 and (b) in the case of an adjustment pursuant to the second paragraph under the heading
“—Anti-dilution Adjustments” below, the adjusted stock prices in the column headings will equal the unadjusted stock price less the decrease in the exercise price of a warrant pursuant to such exercise price adjustment. 

 

																																					
	 Redemption Date

(period to expiration of warrants)
	  	Fair Market Value of Class A Common Stock	 
	  	$10.00	 	  	$11.00	 	  	$12.00	 	  	$13.00	 	  	$14.00	 	  	$15.00	 	  	$16.00	 	  	$17.00	 	  	3 $18.00	 
	 60 months
	  	 	0.261	 	  	 	0.281	 	  	 	0.297	 	  	 	0.311	 	  	 	0.324	 	  	 	0.337	 	  	 	0.348	 	  	 	0.358	 	  	 	0.361	 
	 57 months
	  	 	0.257	 	  	 	0.277	 	  	 	0.294	 	  	 	0.310	 	  	 	0.324	 	  	 	0.337	 	  	 	0.348	 	  	 	0.358	 	  	 	0.361	 
	 54 months
	  	 	0.252	 	  	 	0.272	 	  	 	0.291	 	  	 	0.307	 	  	 	0.322	 	  	 	0.335	 	  	 	0.347	 	  	 	0.357	 	  	 	0.361	 
	 51 months
	  	 	0.246	 	  	 	0.268	 	  	 	0.287	 	  	 	0.304	 	  	 	0.320	 	  	 	0.333	 	  	 	0.346	 	  	 	0.357	 	  	 	0.361	 
	 48 months
	  	 	0.241	 	  	 	0.263	 	  	 	0.283	 	  	 	0.301	 	  	 	0.317	 	  	 	0.332	 	  	 	0.344	 	  	 	0.356	 	  	 	0.361	 
	 45 months
	  	 	0.235	 	  	 	0.258	 	  	 	0.279	 	  	 	0.298	 	  	 	0.315	 	  	 	0.330	 	  	 	0.343	 	  	 	0.356	 	  	 	0.361	 
	 42 months
	  	 	0.228	 	  	 	0.252	 	  	 	0.274	 	  	 	0.294	 	  	 	0.312	 	  	 	0.328	 	  	 	0.342	 	  	 	0.355	 	  	 	0.361	 
	 39 months
	  	 	0.221	 	  	 	0.246	 	  	 	0.269	 	  	 	0.290	 	  	 	0.309	 	  	 	0.325	 	  	 	0.340	 	  	 	0.354	 	  	 	0.361	 
	 36 months
	  	 	0.213	 	  	 	0.239	 	  	 	0.263	 	  	 	0.285	 	  	 	0.305	 	  	 	0.323	 	  	 	0.339	 	  	 	0.353	 	  	 	0.361	 
	 33 months
	  	 	0.205	 	  	 	0.232	 	  	 	0.257	 	  	 	0.280	 	  	 	0.301	 	  	 	0.320	 	  	 	0.337	 	  	 	0.352	 	  	 	0.361	 
	 30 months
	  	 	0.196	 	  	 	0.224	 	  	 	0.250	 	  	 	0.274	 	  	 	0.297	 	  	 	0.316	 	  	 	0.335	 	  	 	0.351	 	  	 	0.361	 
	 27 months
	  	 	0.185	 	  	 	0.214	 	  	 	0.242	 	  	 	0.268	 	  	 	0.291	 	  	 	0.313	 	  	 	0.332	 	  	 	0.350	 	  	 	0.361	 
	 24 months
	  	 	0.173	 	  	 	0.204	 	  	 	0.233	 	  	 	0.260	 	  	 	0.285	 	  	 	0.308	 	  	 	0.329	 	  	 	0.348	 	  	 	0.361	 
	 21 months
	  	 	0.161	 	  	 	0.193	 	  	 	0.223	 	  	 	0.252	 	  	 	0.279	 	  	 	0.304	 	  	 	0.326	 	  	 	0.347	 	  	 	0.361	 
	 18 months
	  	 	0.146	 	  	 	0.179	 	  	 	0.211	 	  	 	0.242	 	  	 	0.271	 	  	 	0.298	 	  	 	0.322	 	  	 	0.345	 	  	 	0.361	 
	 15 months
	  	 	0.130	 	  	 	0.164	 	  	 	0.197	 	  	 	0.230	 	  	 	0.262	 	  	 	0.291	 	  	 	0.317	 	  	 	0.342	 	  	 	0.361	 
	 12 months
	  	 	0.111	 	  	 	0.146	 	  	 	0.181	 	  	 	0.216	 	  	 	0.250	 	  	 	0.282	 	  	 	0.312	 	  	 	0.339	 	  	 	0.361	 
	 9 months
	  	 	0.090	 	  	 	0.125	 	  	 	0.162	 	  	 	0.199	 	  	 	0.237	 	  	 	0.272	 	  	 	0.305	 	  	 	0.336	 	  	 	0.361	 
	 6 months
	  	 	0.065	 	  	 	0.099	 	  	 	0.137	 	  	 	0.178	 	  	 	0.219	 	  	 	0.259	 	  	 	0.296	 	  	 	0.331	 	  	 	0.361	 
	 3 months
	  	 	0.034	 	  	 	0.065	 	  	 	0.104	 	  	 	0.150	 	  	 	0.197	 	  	 	0.243	 	  	 	0.286	 	  	 	0.326	 	  	 	0.361	 
	 0 months
	  	 	—  	 	  	 	—  	 	  	 	0.042	 	  	 	0.115	 	  	 	0.179	 	  	 	0.233	 	  	 	0.281	 	  	 	0.323	 	  	 	0.361	 

 The exact fair market value and redemption date may not be set forth in the table above, in which case, if the fair market
value is between two values in the table or the redemption date is between two redemption dates in the table, the number of shares of our Class A common stock to be issued for each warrant exercised will be determined by a

 
straight-line interpolation between the number of shares set forth for the higher and lower fair market values and the earlier and later redemption dates, as applicable, based on a 365 or 366-day year, as applicable. 
 This redemption feature differs from the typical warrant redemption features used in many
other blank check offerings, which typically only provide for a redemption of warrants for cash (other than the private placement warrants) when the trading price for the Class A common stock exceeds $18.00 per share for a specified period of
time. This redemption feature is structured to allow for all of the outstanding warrants to be redeemed when the Class A common stock are trading at or above $10.00 per public share, which may be at a time when the trading price of our
Class A common stock is below the exercise price of the warrants. We have established this redemption feature to provide us with the flexibility to redeem the warrants without the warrants having to reach the $18.00 per share threshold set
forth above under “—Redemption of warrants when the price per share of our Class A common stock equals or exceeds $18.00.” Holders choosing to exercise their warrants in connection with a redemption pursuant to this feature will,
in effect, receive a number of shares for their warrants based on an option pricing model with a fixed volatility input as of this prospectus. This redemption right provides us with an additional mechanism by which to redeem all of the outstanding
warrants, and therefore have certainty as to our capital structure as the warrants would no longer be outstanding and would have been exercised or redeemed. We will be required to pay the applicable redemption price to warrant holders if we choose
to exercise this redemption right and it will allow us to quickly proceed with a redemption of the warrants if we determine it is in our best interest to do so. As such, we would redeem the warrants in this manner when we believe it is in our best
interest to update our capital structure to remove the warrants and pay the redemption price to the warrant holders. 
 As stated above, we can redeem the
warrants when the Class A common stock are trading at a price starting at $10.00 per share, which is below the exercise price of $11.50 per share, because it will provide certainty with respect to our capital structure and cash position while
providing warrant holders with the opportunity to exercise their warrants on a cashless basis for the applicable number of shares. If we choose to redeem the warrants when the Class A common stock are trading at a price below the exercise price
of the warrants, this could result in the warrant holders receiving fewer shares of our Class A common stock than they would have received if they had chosen to wait to exercise their warrants for shares of our Class A common stock if and
when such shares of our Class A common stock were trading at a price higher than the exercise price of $11.50. 
 No fractional shares of our
Class A common stock will be issued upon exercise. If, upon exercise, a holder would be entitled to receive a fractional interest in a share, we will round down to the nearest whole number of the number of shares of our Class A common
stock to be issued to the holder. If, at the time of redemption, the warrants are exercisable for a security other than the shares of our Class A common stock pursuant to the warrant agreement (for instance, if we are not the surviving company
in our initial Business Combination), the warrants may be exercised for such security. At such time as the warrants become exercisable for a security other than the shares of our Class A common stock, the Company (or surviving company) will use
its commercially reasonable efforts to register under the Securities Act the security issuable upon the exercise of the warrants. 
 A holder of a warrant
may notify us in writing in the event it elects to be subject to a requirement that such holder will not have the right to exercise such warrant, to the extent that after giving effect to such exercise, such person (together with such person’s
affiliates), to the warrant agent’s actual knowledge, would beneficially own in excess of 9.8% (or such other amount as a holder may specify) of the shares of our Class A common stock issued and outstanding immediately after giving effect
to such exercise. 
 Anti-dilution Adjustments 
 If the number
of outstanding shares of our Class A common stock is increased by a stock dividend payable in shares of our Class A common stock, or by a split-up of common stock or other similar event, then, on the
effective date of such stock dividend, split-up or similar event, the number of shares of our Class A common stock issuable on exercise of each warrant will be increased in proportion to such increase in
the outstanding shares of common stock. A rights offering made to all or substantially all holders of common stock entitling holders to purchase Class A common stock at a price less than the “historical fair market value” (as defined
below) will be deemed a stock dividend of a number of shares of our Class A common stock equal to the product of (i) the number of shares of our Class A common stock actually sold in such rights offering (or issuable under any other
equity securities sold in such rights offering that are convertible into or exercisable for Class A common stock) and (ii) one minus the 

 
quotient of (x) the price per share of our Class A common stock paid in such rights offering and (y) the historical fair market value. For these purposes, (i) if the rights
offering is for securities convertible into or exercisable for shares of our Class A common stock, in determining the price payable for Class A common stock, there will be taken into account any consideration received for such
rights, as well as any additional amount payable upon exercise or conversion and (ii) “historical fair market value” means the volume weighted average price of shares of our Class A common stock as reported during the 10 trading day
period ending on the trading day prior to the first date on which the Class A common stock trade on the applicable exchange or in the applicable market, regular way, without the right to receive such rights. 

In addition, if we, at any time while the warrants are outstanding and unexpired, pay a dividend or make a distribution in cash, securities or other assets to
all or substantially all of the holders of shares of our Class A common stock on account of such Class A common stock (or other securities into which the warrants are convertible), other than (a) as described above, (b) any cash
dividends or cash distributions which, when combined on a per share basis with all other cash dividends and cash distributions paid on the Class A common stock during the 365-day period ending on the date
of declaration of such dividend or distribution does not exceed $0.50 (as adjusted to appropriately reflect any other adjustments and excluding cash dividends or cash distributions that resulted in an adjustment to the exercise price or to the
number of shares of our Class A common stock issuable on exercise of each warrant) but only with respect to the amount of the aggregate cash dividends or cash distributions equal to or less than $0.50 per share, (c) to satisfy the
redemption rights of the holders of Class A common stock in connection with a proposed initial Business Combination, (d) to satisfy the redemption rights of the holders of Class A common stock in connection with a stockholder vote to
amend our amended and restated certificate of incorporation (A) to modify the substance or timing of our obligation to provide holders of shares of our Class A common stock the right to have their shares redeemed in connection with our
initial Business Combination or to redeem 100% of our public shares if we do not complete our initial Business Combination within 24 months from the closing of the Initial Public Offering or (B) with respect to any other provision relating to
the rights of holders of shares of our Class A common stock, or (e) in connection with the redemption of our public shares upon our failure to complete our initial Business Combination, then the warrant exercise price will be decreased,
effective immediately after the effective date of such event, by the amount of cash and/or the fair market value of any securities or other assets paid on each share of our Class A common stock in respect of such event. 

If the number of outstanding shares of our Class A common stock is decreased by a consolidation, combination, reverse stock split or reclassification of
Class A common stock or other similar event, then, on the effective date of such consolidation, combination, reverse stock split, reclassification or similar event, the number of shares of our Class A common stock issuable on exercise of
each warrant will be decreased in proportion to such decrease in outstanding shares of our Class A common stock. 
 Whenever the number of shares of
our Class A common stock purchasable upon the exercise of the warrants is adjusted, as described above, the warrant exercise price will be adjusted by multiplying the warrant exercise price immediately prior to such adjustment by a fraction
(x) the numerator of which will be the number of shares of our Class A common stock purchasable upon the exercise of the warrants immediately prior to such adjustment and (y) the denominator of which will be the number of shares of
our Class A common stock so purchasable immediately thereafter. 
 In addition, if (x) we issue additional shares of our Class A common stock
or equity-linked securities for capital raising purposes in connection with the closing of our initial Business Combination at an issue price or effective issue price of less than $9.20 per share of our Class A common stock (with such issue
price or effective issue price to be determined in good faith by our Board and, in the case of any such issuance to our Sponsor or its affiliates, without taking into account any founder shares held by our Sponsor or such affiliates, as applicable,
prior to such issuance (the “Newly Issued Price”), (y) the aggregate gross proceeds from such issuances represent more than 60% of the total equity proceeds, and interest thereon, available for the funding of our initial Business
Combination on the date of the consummation of our initial Business Combination (net of redemptions), and 
 (z) the volume weighted average trading price
of our Class A common stock during the 20 trading day period starting on the trading day prior to the day on which we consummate our initial Business Combination (such price, the “Market Value”) is below $9.20 per share, the exercise
price of the warrants will be adjusted (to the nearest cent) to be equal to 115% of the higher of the Market Value and the Newly Issued Price, and the $10.00 and $18.00 per 

 
share redemption trigger price described above under “Redemption of Warrants When the Price Per Share of our Class A Common Stock Equals or Exceeds $10.00” and “Redemption of
Warrants When the Price Per Share of our Class A Common Stock Equals or Exceeds $18.00” will be adjusted (to the nearest cent) to be equal to 180% of the higher of the Market Value and the Newly Issued Price, and the $10.00 per share
redemption trigger price described above under “—Redemption of warrants when the price per share of our Class A common stock equals or exceeds $10.00” will be adjusted (to the nearest cent) to be equal to the higher of the Market
Value and the Newly Issued Price. 
 In case of any reclassification or reorganization of the outstanding Class A common stock (other than those
described above or that solely affects the par value of such Class A common stock), or in the case of any merger or consolidation of us with or into another corporation (other than a consolidation or merger in which we are the continuing
corporation and that does not result in any reclassification or reorganization of our outstanding Class A common stock), or in the case of any sale or conveyance to another corporation or entity of the assets or other property of us as an
entirety or substantially as an entirety in connection with which we are dissolved, the holders of the warrants will thereafter have the right to purchase and receive, upon the basis and upon the terms and conditions specified in the warrants and in
lieu of the shares of our Class A common stock immediately theretofore purchasable and receivable upon the exercise of the rights represented thereby, the kind and amount of our Class A common stock or other securities or property
(including cash) receivable upon such reclassification, reorganization, merger or consolidation, or upon a dissolution following any such sale or transfer, that the holder of the warrants would have received if such holder had exercised their
warrants immediately prior to such event. However, if such holders were entitled to exercise a right of election as to the kind or amount of securities, cash or other assets receivable upon such consolidation or merger, then the kind and amount of
securities, cash or other assets for which each warrant will become exercisable will be deemed to be the weighted average of the kind and amount received per share by such holders in such consolidation or merger that affirmatively make such
election, and if a tender, exchange or redemption offer has been made to and accepted by such holders (other than a tender, exchange or redemption offer made by the Company in connection with redemption rights held by stockholders of the Company as
provided for in the Company’s amended and restated certificate of incorporation or as a result of the redemption of Class A common stock by the Company if a proposed initial Business Combination is presented to the stockholders of the
Company for approval) under circumstances in which, upon completion of such tender or exchange offer, the maker thereof, together with members of any group (within the meaning of Rule 13d-5(b)(1) under the
Exchange Act) of which such maker is a part, and together with any affiliate or associate of such maker (within the meaning of Rule 12b-2 under the Exchange Act) and any members of any such group of which any
such affiliate or associate is a part, own beneficially (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act) more than 50% of the issued and outstanding shares of our Class A common stock, the holder
of a warrant will be entitled to receive the highest amount of cash, securities or other property to which such holder would actually have been entitled as a stockholder if such warrant holder had exercised the warrant prior to the expiration of
such tender or exchange offer, accepted such offer and all of the shares of our Class A common stock held by such holder had been purchased pursuant to such tender or exchange offer, subject to adjustment (from and after the consummation of
such tender or exchange offer) as nearly equivalent as possible to the adjustments provided for in the warrant agreement. 
 If less than 70% of the
consideration receivable by the holders of shares of our Class A common stock in such a transaction is payable in the form of our Class A common stock in the successor entity that is listed for trading on a national securities exchange or
is quoted in an established over-the-counter market, or is to be so listed for trading or quoted immediately following such event, and if the registered holder of the
warrant properly exercises the warrant within thirty days following public disclosure of such transaction, the warrant exercise price will be reduced as specified in the warrant agreement based on the Black-Scholes value (as defined in the warrant
agreement) of the warrant. The purpose of such exercise price reduction is to provide additional value to holders of the warrants when an extraordinary transaction occurs during the exercise period of the warrants pursuant to which the holders of
the warrants otherwise do not receive the full potential value of the warrants. The purpose of such exercise price reduction is to provide additional value to holders of the warrants when an extraordinary transaction occurs during the exercise
period of the warrants pursuant to which the holders of the warrants otherwise do not receive the full potential value of the warrants. 
 The warrants have
been issued in registered form under a warrant agreement between American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC, as warrant agent, and us. The warrant agreement provides that the terms of the warrants may be amended without the consent of any
holder for the purpose of (i) curing any ambiguity or correct any mistake or 

 
defective provision (ii) amending the provisions relating to cash dividends on shares of common stock as contemplated by and in accordance with the warrant agreement or (iii) adding or
changing any provisions with respect to matters or questions arising under the warrant agreement as the parties to the warrant agreement may deem necessary or desirable and that the parties deem to not adversely affect the rights of the registered
holders of the warrants, provided that the approval by the holders of at least 50% of the then-outstanding public warrants is required to make any change that adversely affects the interests of the registered holders. You should review a copy of the
warrant agreement, which is filed as an exhibit to Annual Report on Form 10-K of which this Exhibit 4.5 is a part, for a complete description of the terms and conditions applicable to the warrants. 

The warrant holders do not have the rights or privileges of holders of common stock and any voting rights until they exercise their warrants and receive
Class A common stock. After the issuance of Class A common stock upon exercise of the warrants, each holder will be entitled to one vote for each share held of record on all matters to be voted on by stockholders. 

No fractional warrants will be issued upon separation of the units and only whole warrants will trade. If, upon exercise of the warrants, a holder would be
entitled to receive a fractional interest in a share, we will, upon exercise, round down to the nearest whole number, the number of shares of our Class A common stock to be issued to the warrant holder. 

We have agreed that, subject to applicable law, any action, proceeding or claim against us arising out of or relating in any way to the warrant agreement will
be brought and enforced in the courts of the State of New York or the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York, and we irrevocably submit to such jurisdiction, which jurisdiction will be the exclusive forum for any such
action, proceeding or claim. This provision applies to claims under the Securities Act but does not apply to claims under the Exchange Act or any claim for which the federal district courts of the United States of America are the sole and exclusive
forum. 
 Dividends 
 We have not paid any cash
dividends on our common stock to date and do not intend to pay cash dividends prior to the completion of our initial Business Combination. The payment of cash dividends in the future will be dependent upon our revenues and earnings, if any, capital
requirements and general financial condition subsequent to completion of our initial Business Combination. The payment of any cash dividends subsequent to our initial Business Combination will be within the discretion of our Board at such time.
Further, if we incur any indebtedness in connection with a Business Combination, our ability to declare dividends may be limited by restrictive covenants we may agree to in connection therewith. 

Our Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation 

Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation contains provisions designed to provide certain requirements and restrictions that apply to us until the
completion of our initial Business Combination. These provisions cannot be amended without the approval of holders of 65% of our common stock. Our Sponsor and its permitted transferees, if any, and Share Our Strength who collectively beneficially
own 19.43% of our common stock, will participate in any vote to amend our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and will have the discretion to vote in any manner they choose. Specifically, our amended and restated certificate of
incorporation will provide, among other things, that: 

	 	•	 If we have not consummated an initial Business Combination within 24 months from the closing of the Initial
Public Offering, we will (i) cease all operations except for the purpose of winding up; (ii) as promptly as reasonably possible but no more than ten business days thereafter, redeem the public shares, at a
per-stock price, payable in cash, equal to the aggregate amount then on deposit in the trust account, including interest earned on the funds held in the trust account and not previously released to us to pay
our taxes as well as expenses relating to the administration of the trust account (less up to $100,000 of interest to pay dissolution expenses), divided by the number of the then-outstanding public shares, which redemption will completely extinguish
public stockholders’ rights as stockholders (including the right to receive further liquidation distributions, if any); and (iii) as promptly as reasonably possible following such redemption, subject to the approval of our remaining
stockholders and our Board, liquidate and dissolve, subject in each case to our obligations under Delaware law to provide for claims of creditors and the requirements of other applicable law; 

 

	 	•	 Prior to or in connection with our initial Business Combination, we may not issue additional securities that
would entitle the holders thereof to (i) receive funds from the trust account or (ii) vote as a class with our public shares (a) on our initial Business Combination or on any other proposal presented to stockholders prior to or in
connection with the completion of an initial Business Combination or (b) to approve an amendment to our amended and restated certificate of incorporation to (x) extend the time we have to consummate a Business Combination beyond 24 months
from the closing of our Initial Public Offering or (y) amend the foregoing provisions; 

  

	 	•	 Although we do not intend to enter into a Business Combination with a target business that is affiliated with
our Sponsor, USHG, our directors or our officers, we are not prohibited from doing so. In the event we enter into such a transaction, we, or a committee of independent directors, will obtain an opinion from an independent investment banking firm or
from an independent entity that commonly renders valuation opinions that such a Business Combination is fair to our company from a financial point of view; 

  

	 	•	 If a stockholder vote on our initial Business Combination is not required by applicable law or stock exchange
listing requirements and we do not decide to hold a stockholder vote for business or other reasons, we will offer to redeem our public shares pursuant to Rule 13e-4 and Regulation 14E of the Exchange Act, and
will file tender offer documents with the SEC prior to completing our initial Business Combination which contain substantially the same financial and other information about our initial Business Combination and the redemption rights as is required
under Regulation 14A of the Exchange Act; 

  

	 	•	 So long as our securities are then listed on the NYSE, our initial Business Combination must occur with one or
more target businesses that together have an aggregate fair market value of at least 80% of the assets held in the trust account (excluding the amount of deferred underwriting discounts held in trust and taxes payable on the income earned on the
trust account) at the time of the agreement to enter into the initial Business Combination; 

  

	 	•	 If our stockholders approve an amendment to our amended and restated certificate of incorporation (A) that
would modify the substance or timing of our obligation to provide holders of shares of our Class A common stock the right to have their shares redeemed in connection with our initial Business Combination or to redeem 100% of our public shares
if we do not complete our initial Business Combination within 24 months from the closing of the Initial Public Offering or (B) with respect to any other provision relating the rights of holders of shares of our Class A common stock, we
will provide our public stockholders with the opportunity to redeem all or a portion of their shares of our Class A common stock upon such approval at a per-stock price, payable in cash, equal to the
aggregate amount then on deposit in the trust account, including interest earned on the funds held in the trust account and not previously released to us to pay our taxes divided by the number of the then-outstanding public shares, subject to the
limitations described herein; and 

  

	 	•	 We will not effectuate our initial Business Combination solely with another blank check company or a similar
company with nominal operations. 

 In addition, our amended and restated certificate of incorporation provides that under no circumstances will
we redeem our public shares in an amount that would cause our net tangible assets to be less than $5,000,001. 
 Certain Anti-Takeover Provisions of
Delaware Law and our Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws 
 We are subject to the provisions of Section 203 of the DGCL
regulating corporate takeovers. This statute prevents certain Delaware corporations, under certain circumstances, from engaging in a “Business Combination” with: 
  

	 	•	 a stockholder who owns 15% or more of our outstanding voting stock (otherwise known as an “interested
stockholder”); 

  

	 	•	 an affiliate of an interested stockholder; or 

 

	 	•	 an associate of an interested stockholder, for three years following the date that the stockholder became an
interested stockholder. 

 A “Business Combination” includes a merger or sale of more than 10% of our assets. However, the above
provisions of Section 203 do not apply if: 
  

	 	•	 our Board approves the transaction that made the stockholder an “interested stockholder,” prior to
the date of the transaction; 

  

	 	•	 after the completion of the transaction that resulted in the stockholder becoming an interested stockholder,
that stockholder owned at least 85% of our voting stock outstanding at the time the transaction commenced, other than statutorily excluded shares of common stock; or 

 

	 	•	 on or subsequent to the date of the transaction, the initial Business Combination is approved by our Board and
authorized at a meeting of our stockholders, and not by written consent, by an affirmative vote of at least two-thirds of the outstanding voting stock not owned by the interested stockholder.

 Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation provides that our Board is classified into three classes of directors. As a
result, in most circumstances, a person can gain control of our Board only by successfully engaging in a proxy contest at two or more annual meetings. 

Our authorized but unissued common stock and preferred stock will be available for future issuances without stockholder approval and could be utilized for a
variety of corporate purposes, including future offerings to raise additional capital, acquisitions and employee benefit plans. The existence of authorized but unissued and unreserved common stock and preferred stock could render more difficult or
discourage an attempt to obtain control of us by means of a proxy contest, tender offer, merger or otherwise. 
 Exclusive forum for certain lawsuits

 Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation requires, unless we consent in writing to the selection of an alternative forum, that
(i) any derivative action or proceeding brought on our behalf, (ii) any action asserting a claim of breach of a fiduciary duty owed by any director, officer or other employee to us or our stockholders, (iii) any action asserting a
claim against us, our directors, officers or employees arising pursuant to any provision of the DGCL or our amended and restated certificate of incorporation or bylaws, or (iv) any action asserting a claim against us, our directors, officers or
employees governed by the internal affairs doctrine may be brought only in the Court of Chancery in the State of Delaware, except any claim (A) as to which the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware determines that there is an indispensable
party not subject to the jurisdiction of the Court of Chancery (and the indispensable party does not consent to the personal jurisdiction of the Court of Chancery within ten days following such determination), (B) which is vested in the exclusive
jurisdiction of a court or forum other than the Court of Chancery or (C) for which the Court of Chancery does not have subject matter jurisdiction, as to which the Court of Chancery and the federal district court for the District of Delaware
shall have concurrent jurisdiction. If an 

 
action is brought outside of Delaware, the stockholder bringing the suit will be deemed to have consented to service of process on such stockholder’s counsel. Although we believe this
provision benefits us by providing increased consistency in the application of Delaware law in the types of lawsuits to which it applies, a court may determine that this provision is unenforceable, and to the extent it is enforceable, the provision
may have the effect of discouraging lawsuits against our directors and officers, although our stockholders will not be deemed to have waived our compliance with federal securities laws and the rules and regulations thereunder. 

Notwithstanding the foregoing, our amended and restated certificate of incorporation provides that the exclusive forum provision will not apply to suits
brought to enforce a duty or liability created by the Exchange Act or any other claim for which the federal courts have exclusive jurisdiction. Section 27 of the Exchange Act creates exclusive federal jurisdiction over all suits brought to
enforce any duty or liability created by the Exchange Act or the rules and regulations thereunder. 
 Additionally, unless we consent in writing to the
selection of an alternative forum, the federal courts shall be the exclusive forum for the resolution of any complaint asserting a cause of action arising under the Securities Act against us or any of our directors, officers, other employees or
agents. Section 22 of the Securities Act, however, created concurrent jurisdiction for federal and state courts over all suits brought to enforce any duty or liability created by the Securities Act or the rules and regulations thereunder.
Accordingly, there is uncertainty as to whether a court would enforce such provisions, and the enforceability of similar choice of forum provisions in other companies’ charter documents has been challenged in legal proceedings. While the
Delaware courts have determined that such exclusive forum provisions are facially valid, a stockholder may nevertheless seek to bring a claim in a venue other than those designated in the exclusive forum provisions, and there can be no assurance
that such provisions will be enforced by a court in those other jurisdictions. Any person or entity purchasing or otherwise acquiring any interest in our securities shall be deemed to have notice of and consented to these provisions; however, we
note that investors cannot waive compliance with the federal securities laws and the rules and regulations thereunder. 
 Special meeting of
stockholders 
 Our bylaws provide that special meetings of our stockholders may be called only by a majority vote of our Board, by our Chief
Executive Officer or by our Chairman. 
 Advance notice requirements for stockholder proposals and director nominations 

Our bylaws provide that stockholders seeking to bring business before our annual meeting of stockholders, or to nominate candidates for election as directors
at our annual meeting of stockholders, must provide timely notice of their intent in writing. To be timely, a stockholder’s notice will need to be received by the Company secretary at our principal executive offices not later than the close of
business on the 90th day nor earlier than the opening of business on the 120th day prior to the anniversary date of the immediately preceding annual meeting of stockholders. Pursuant to Rule 14a-8 of the
Exchange Act, proposals seeking inclusion in our annual proxy statement must comply with the notice periods contained therein. Our bylaws also specify certain requirements as to the form and content of a stockholders’ meeting. These provisions
may preclude our stockholders from bringing matters before our annual meeting of stockholders or from making nominations for directors at our annual meeting of stockholders. 

Action by written consent 
 Any action required or
permitted to be taken by our common stockholders must be effected by a duly called annual or special meeting of such stockholders and may not be effected by written consent of the stockholders other than with respect to our Class B common
stock. 
 Classified board of directors 
 Our
Board is divided into three classes, Class I, Class II and Class III, with members of each class serving staggered three-year terms. Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation provides that the authorized number of

 
directors may be changed only by resolution of the board of directors. Subject to the terms of any preferred stock, any or all of the directors may be removed from office at any time, but only
for cause and only by the affirmative vote of holders of a majority of the voting power of all then outstanding shares of our capital stock entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, voting together as a single class. Any vacancy on
our Board, including a vacancy resulting from an enlargement of our Board, may be filled only by vote of a majority of our directors then in office. 

Class B Common Stock Consent Right 
 For so
long as any shares of our Class B common stock remain outstanding, we may not, without the prior vote or written consent of the holders of a majority of the shares of our Class B common stock then outstanding, voting separately as a single
class, amend, alter or repeal any provision of our amended and restated certificate of incorporation, whether by merger, consolidation or otherwise, if such amendment, alteration or repeal would alter or change the powers, preferences or relative,
participating, optional or other or special rights of the Class B common stock. Any action required or permitted to be taken at any meeting of the holders of shares of our Class B common stock may be taken without a meeting, without prior
notice and without a vote, if a consent or consents in writing, setting forth the action so taken, shall be signed by the holders of the outstanding Class B common stock having not less than the minimum number of votes that would be necessary
to authorize or take such action at a meeting at which all shares of our Class B common stock were present and voted. 
 Listing of Securities

 Our units trade on NYSE under the symbol “HUGSU.” Our Class A common stock and warrants trade on NYSE under the symbols
“HUGS” and “HUGSW,” respectively.

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