F78/100FDD 2024
Nautical Bowls — Litigation & Risk
Food & Beverage - Full Service · FDD Items 3, 4 & 5
Moderate — Review
3 cases disclosed in FDD Items 3 and 4.
Source: FDD Items 3–5
FDD Items 3 & 4
Litigation Metrics
Cases disclosed
3
Total from FDD Items 3 and 4
Bankruptcy (Item 4)
—
Franchisor or officer bankruptcy
Overall risk score
78 / 100
FranchiseVerdict composite
Rating
AVOID
STRONG / MODERATE / CAUTION / AVOID
7(a) FOIA data · FY2020–present
SBA Loan Performance
Aggregated from public SBA 7(a) loan disclosures. Default rate is the share of loans that were charged off or settled for less than the full balance.
Total 7(a) loans
67
Government-backed loans issued
Default rate
20.0%
vs <3% typical · system-wide
5-yr default rate
20.0%
Defaults
2 loans
Loans charged off or defaulted
Total loan volume
$17.5M
Avg loan size
$262K
Participating lenders
25
FDD Items 5, 6 & 17 — what you give up
Contract Risk Indicators
Mandatory arbitration
Not required
You retain the right to sue in court
Jury trial waiver
Waived
You give up the right to a jury trial
Non-compete
2 yrs
Post-termination restriction on similar businesses
Franchisor can compete
Yes
Franchisor can open competing locations in or near your territory
Right of first refusal
Yes
Franchisor can match any purchase offer when you try to sell
Governing law
Texas
State whose law governs disputes — relevant if you're not based there
What drove the 78/100 rating
Risk Score Breakdown
- 01HIGHThree active lawsuits filed December 2023 alleging fraud, misrepresentation, and deceptive trade practices by former franchisees
- 02HIGHGoing Concern designation is FALSE, indicating potential financial instability at corporate level
- 03MINORNet income of $79,712 on $440,000 average revenue (18.1% margin) may be insufficient to cover $26,550 annual royalties (6% of revenue) plus other operating expenses
- 04HIGHAggressive unit growth (121.4% YoY) during period of active litigation suggests potential quality control issues or desperation to recruit
- 05MINORHigh investment range ($222,250–$409,350) combined with modest profitability creates extended payback period and elevated financial risk
- 06HIGHFranchise fee of $39,500 is non-recoverable in context of litigation and going concern status
Severity inferred from FDD text — not a regulatory or legal classification
Litigation data from FDD Items 3, 4, and 5. SBA data from public 7(a) FOIA records (FY2020–present). Not legal advice — consult a franchise attorney before signing any franchise agreement.