When considering joining any franchise, it’s important to understand the legal commitments involved. As an ActionCOACH franchise partner, you’ll sign a series of contracts that outline your rights, responsibilities, and the mutual expectations between you and the brand.
These contracts aren’t just paperwork—they’re essential documents designed to protect your business, uphold the value of the ActionCOACH brand, and ensure a clear, professional foundation for your success.
In this article, we’ll walk through the key agreements you’ll encounter, what each one means, and why they matter.
Why This Question Matters
It’s natural to want clarity before signing any agreement. You may be wondering: What am I committing to? How binding are these contracts? What rights do I have as a franchise partner?
Understanding the legal framework before you begin gives you peace of mind. It allows you to plan confidently, operate within clear guidelines, and know exactly where you stand in terms of ownership, support, and brand use.
ActionCOACH is a well-established global franchise, and that means its legal agreements have been carefully structured to support long-term partnerships and consistent standards across the world.
The Core Contracts You’ll Sign
1. The Franchise Agreement
The Franchise Agreement is the central document that governs your relationship with ActionCOACH. It outlines:
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The duration of your franchise license (usually a 5- or 10-year term, depending on your region)
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Your exclusive territory and rights to operate within it
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Your obligations around brand standards, marketing, and delivery
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The fees, royalties, and renewal terms
This agreement gives you the legal right to operate under the ActionCOACH name and access all systems, intellectual property, training, and support. It also clarifies your role as a franchise partner and outlines the ways in which you’ll represent the brand.
The Franchise Agreement is comprehensive, but also transparent. You’ll have the opportunity to review it thoroughly, and many partners choose to consult with a franchise attorney before signing.
2. Confidentiality and Non-Disclosure Agreements (NDAs)
As part of your onboarding process, you’ll be granted access to proprietary systems, tools, strategies, and content. To protect the integrity of the ActionCOACH brand and its intellectual property, you’ll sign confidentiality agreements that prevent you from sharing sensitive material outside the franchise system.
These NDAs also apply to any pre-contractual discussions or documents you may receive during the discovery process.
3. Non-Compete and Non-Solicitation Agreements
To preserve the exclusivity and professionalism of the coaching network, you’ll sign non-compete clauses that limit your ability to operate or promote similar services outside of ActionCOACH for a specified time period and region.
You’ll also agree not to solicit clients, team members, or leads from within the ActionCOACH system if you were to exit the franchise. These clauses are standard in most professional franchise arrangements and help maintain the integrity of the brand and its relationships.
4. IP and Technology Use Agreements
When you become a franchise partner, you gain access to ActionCOACH’s intellectual property—including frameworks, logos, brand assets, tools, templates, and training materials. You’ll also use proprietary technology platforms that are licensed to you.
These agreements outline how you’re allowed to use these resources and what happens if the relationship ends. They also ensure that all franchise partners are using brand assets appropriately and maintaining consistency across markets.
What These Agreements Protect
These contracts exist not only to protect ActionCOACH but also to protect you. They provide:
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Legal clarity around your rights and obligations
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Confidence that other coaches won’t compete in your territory
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Standards for professionalism, branding, and content usage
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Clear expectations if there is ever a dispute or if you decide to exit
In short, the contracts create a stable foundation from which you can confidently build your business.
What You Can Expect Before Signing
ActionCOACH takes transparency seriously. During the discovery process, you’ll have access to:
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A clear overview of all legal agreements you’ll be asked to sign
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Time to review the documents independently or with legal counsel
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Conversations with other franchise partners who have already signed and operated under the same terms
There is no rush or pressure to sign. You’ll be encouraged to ask questions and ensure that the agreement aligns with your personal goals and business plans.
In many regions, you’ll also receive a Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD) that provides detailed financial and operational information. This document is standard in regulated markets and is designed to give you a full picture of the franchise opportunity.
Can the Contracts Be Negotiated?
Franchise agreements are generally standardized to ensure fairness and consistency across the network. While minor adjustments may be possible based on your local laws or business structure, most terms are consistent to protect the brand and create equal footing among all franchise partners.
That said, your Master Licensee or regional representative will guide you through any variations specific to your country or territory and help you understand the reasoning behind each clause.
What Happens If I Exit the Franchise?
In the event you choose to exit the franchise—whether through sale, expiration, or termination—your contracts will guide that process as well. Most agreements include:
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A structured exit timeline and transition plan
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Guidelines for handling client relationships and business assets
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Non-solicitation and confidentiality clauses that remain in effect
If you’ve built equity in your business, you may also have the option to sell your franchise to a new coach—subject to approval and review by ActionCOACH. This can provide a return on your investment and ensure your clients continue to receive support.
Contracts That Create Clarity and Confidence
Signing a franchise agreement is a big step—but it’s also the start of a structured, supported business journey. With clear contracts that outline your rights, responsibilities, and protections, you’ll have everything you need to move forward with confidence.
Want to explore the fine print and understand what you’re signing up for? Request a discovery call today and get answers to all your questions about the franchise agreement and onboarding process.