Can this agreement be signed electronically?

Yes. Electronic signatures are valid under the federal ESIGN Act (15 U.S.C. §7001) and UETA in most states when intent, consent, attribution, and retention requirements are met; verify exceptions for the specific transaction.

Is notarization required?

Not always. Notarization depends on state law and the transaction type (for example, some deeds or assignments require notary or witnesses); check state recordation rules before execution.

Who must sign on behalf of an entity?

A person with authority to bind the entity must sign; for corporations, this is typically an officer, or a person with a board resolution granting signing authority; verify corporate governance documents.

How do I correct a mistake after signing?

Prepare an amendment or corrected agreement and obtain signatures from all original parties; do not alter the executed original without agreement, and retain both the original and amendment.

How long should executed agreements be retained?

Retain for the active term plus a recommended period (typically at least 3–7 years); IRS and HIPAA rules may require longer retention depending on content and industry.

What if a party refuses to sign electronically?

Offer paper signing or in-person signing alternatives, document consent refusals, and ensure any manual signatures are handled consistently with the agreement’s execution and recordkeeping provisions.

Electronic Signature
Templates
Miscellaneous
Business Stores Agreement

Business Stores Agreement

This template is fully customizable. Edit the text, fill out the fields, and send it for signature. Give it a try!

BUSINESS STORES AGREEMENT

This Business Stores Agreement (the Agreement) is entered into as of by and between Store Owner: , with principal place of business at , and Store Operator: , with principal place of business at .

RECITALS

WHEREAS, Store Owner owns and operates one or more retail stores (the Stores) and holds all rights, title and interest in the Stores' trade fixtures and related business goodwill located at the locations described in Schedule A attached hereto; and

WHEREAS, Store Operator has expertise in the operation, staffing, procurement and merchandising of retail premises and desires to operate and manage certain Stores pursuant to the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement; and

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants contained herein and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are acknowledged, the parties agree as follows.

SCOPE OF WORK

Services to be performed

Store Operator shall perform the Services in a professional manner consistent with industry standards and shall comply with all applicable laws, regulations and ordinances. Store Operator shall supply personnel, supervision, management, inventory controls and daily operational oversight as described in the Scope of Work.

PAYMENT TERMS

Total compensation Payment schedule and method

Unless otherwise provided in writing, payments due to Store Operator shall be made in USD within the timeframes set forth in the Payment Schedule. All undisputed sums not paid when due shall accrue a late fee of per month, calculated prorata, or a fixed late charge of , whichever is greater. Parties agree that such late fees represent a reasonable estimate of damages for delayed payment.

TERM AND TERMINATION

Initial term

This Agreement shall commence on and shall continue in full force until unless earlier terminated in accordance with this Agreement.

Termination for convenience

Either party may terminate this Agreement without cause by providing prior written notice to the other party at least days prior to the effective date of termination.

Termination for cause

Either party may terminate immediately for material breach by the other party if such breach remains uncured for a period of 15 days after written notice specifying the breach. Material breach includes failure to remit required payments, failure to maintain required insurance, or persistent failure to perform material duties under the Scope of Work.

CONFIDENTIALITY

For purposes of this Agreement, Confidential Information means any non-public information disclosed by one party (Discloser) to the other (Recipient) that is designated as confidential or that reasonably should be understood to be confidential given the nature of the information and the circumstances of disclosure. Confidential Information expressly includes customer lists, pricing, margin data, supplier terms, and operational procedures.

Recipient shall (i) not disclose Confidential Information to any third party except as permitted herein; (ii) use Confidential Information solely to perform its obligations under this Agreement; and (iii) take reasonable measures, at least as protective as those it uses to protect its own confidential information, to prevent unauthorized disclosure. Confidentiality obligations shall survive termination of this Agreement for a period of years, provided that trade secrets shall be protected for as long as such information qualifies as a trade secret under applicable law.

INSURANCE AND INDEMNIFICATION

Store Operator shall, at its expense, maintain commercial general liability insurance and other customary coverages sufficient to cover liabilities arising from the operation of the Stores. Each party shall indemnify, defend and hold harmless the other party from and against any third-party claims, liabilities, losses or damages arising out of the indemnifying party's breach of this Agreement, negligence or willful misconduct, subject to any limits set forth in a separately agreed schedule.

GOVERNING LAW

This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of , without regard to its conflicts of law principles. Venue for any dispute arising under this Agreement shall be in the state or federal courts located in the county where Store Owner's principal place of business is located, and each party hereby submits to personal jurisdiction in such courts.

ENTIRE AGREEMENT; AMENDMENT

This Agreement, together with any schedules and attachments hereto, constitutes the entire agreement between the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersedes all prior and contemporaneous agreements, proposals, negotiations and communications, whether written or oral. No amendment or waiver of any provision of this Agreement shall be effective unless in writing and signed by both parties.

MISCELLANEOUS

If any provision of this Agreement is held to be invalid or unenforceable, the remaining provisions shall continue in full force and effect. The parties are independent contractors and nothing in this Agreement shall create an employment, agency or joint venture relationship. Notices required under this Agreement shall be in writing and delivered to the addresses set forth at the beginning of this Agreement.

Store Owner (Printed Name):

By:

Date:

Store Operator (Printed Name):

By:

Date:

What the Business Stores Agreement Covers

A Business Stores Agreement is a formal contract that governs the rights, obligations, and operational terms between parties involved in the ownership, operation, or transfer of retail or service store locations. Typical provisions define the parties, the premises or store identifiers, permitted uses, term and renewal mechanics, rent or fee schedules, inventory and equipment allocation, performance standards, compliance obligations, and termination procedures. The agreement often includes exhibits for location specifics, insurance requirements, key contacts, transition plans, and signature blocks for authorized signatories. Accurate execution and retention preserve enforceability and support downstream filings or audits.

Why a Clear Agreement Matters for Business Stores

A properly drafted Business Stores Agreement reduces operational ambiguity, allocates risks, and documents payment and compliance duties between parties. It creates contractual certainty that supports enforcement, third-party audits, and regulatory compliance under applicable state and federal rules.

Who Typically Uses a Business Stores Agreement

This agreement is used by stakeholders who manage, franchise, buy, or operate single or multiple store locations and need a written allocation of responsibilities.

Independent store owners and operators who lease or sublease retail space and need to document rent, maintenance, and termination terms.
Franchisors and franchisees establishing operational rules, brand controls, and transfer or renewal mechanics for multiple outlet locations.
Corporate real estate, property managers, and counsel who administer compliance, insurance, and vendor assignments across a portfolio.

Use the agreement to set clear operational triggers, dispute resolution paths, and signature authority to reduce later disputes and administrative friction.

Representative Signers and Decision Makers

Store Owner

An individual or business entity that operates the store. The owner signs to accept operational duties, rent or fee terms, and indemnities; the signatory must have authority to bind the legal entity.

Company Officer

An authorized corporate officer (CEO, CFO, VP) or in-house counsel who approves terms on behalf of a franchisor or corporate landlord and confirms compliance with corporate governance and recordkeeping policies.

Core Elements to Include in the Agreement

Include items that define the transaction, allocate obligations, and provide administrative detail so each party knows responsibilities and recordkeeping expectations.

Parties

Full legal names and entity types for each party, including d/b/a lines and state of formation so identity and authority are unambiguous for enforcement and filings.

Store Identification

Precise address, suite or unit numbers, store ID codes, and any lease reference so obligations map to a specific physical location or asset set.

Term and Renewal

Effective date, initial term, renewal options, and notice periods for nonrenewal so rights and deadlines are clear and calculable.

Financial Terms

Rent, fees, payment schedule, late fees, and responsibility for utilities or taxes; specify invoicing method and acceptable payment formats.

Compliance and Insurance

Required licenses, permits, insurance minimums, and safety or health obligations, including any industry-specific regulatory references.

Signatures

Authorized signatory blocks with printed name, title, date, and a witness or notary block if required by jurisdiction or transaction type.

Step-by-Step: Completing a Business Stores Agreement

Follow these steps to prepare, confirm, and finalize the agreement for all involved parties.

01

Gather documents: Collect leases, permits, and entity records for reference.
02

Populate template: Enter names, addresses, and financial terms carefully.
03

Review and approve: Have legal and finance teams verify terms.
04

Execute and record: Sign, notarize if required, and distribute executed copies.

Typical Digital Workflow Settings

Configure your online workflow to match the agreement’s required signer order, authentication level, and storage settings.

Field	Configuration
Signer Order	Sequential or parallel as required
Authentication	Email link, SMS code, or KBA
Notifications	Automatic reminders and completion emails
Storage	Encrypted cloud archive with access controls

From Draft to Signed: Typical Process Flow

A streamlined electronic flow reduces delays and preserves an audit trail from upload through final execution.

Upload Document: Add the agreement draft to the platform.
Place Fields: Insert signature, date, and data fields.
Send to Signers: Email or share a signing link.
Receive Signed Copy: All parties get a completed PDF and audit trail.

Digital Signing and Integration Considerations

Choose an eSignature platform that meets your authentication, audit, and storage needs and integrates with existing systems.

Integrations: Salesforce, NetSuite, Microsoft 365
File Formats: PDF, DOCX, HTML supported
Security: TLS and AES encryption

Confirm any required BAAs, SSO, or API access before automating high-volume or regulated-agency workflows.

eSignature Vendor Comparison for Business Stores Agreement Workflows

Compare common vendor features and starting prices to match platform capabilities to your signing, compliance, and volume requirements.

	signNow	DocuSign	Adobe Sign	PandaDoc	HelloSign
Starting Price	$8/user/mo	$15/user/mo	$14/user/mo	$19/user/mo	$15/user/mo
Free Trial	7-day free trial	No	No	Yes, limited	Yes, limited
Bulk Send	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	No
Audit Trail	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
HIPAA Compliant	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	No

Key Dates and Timing Considerations

Identify and calendar the agreement’s effective, execution, and filing dates to meet notice, renewal, and recording obligations.

Effective Date:

Date when rights and obligations begin

Execution Deadline:

Date by which parties must sign to meet conditions precedent

Filing or Recordation:

Record with local authority if required

Renewal Notice:

Specify notice window for exercising renewals

Termination Notice:

Define notice period for nonrenewal or breach

Common Preparation and Execution Errors

Incomplete party names or incorrect entity type entries that later invalidate authority or complicate tax reporting.
Missing or ambiguous effective dates that create disputes about when obligations and liabilities begin.
Failing to require or attach required insurance certificates and permits, which can expose parties to uninsured liabilities.
Using handwritten initials-only where full signatures are required, or failing to notarize when state law mandates it.

Consequences of Incorrect or Incomplete Agreements

Unenforceable Terms: Court may refuse enforcement

Tax Exposure: Withholding or reporting issues

Operational Disputes: Loss of store access or revenue

Regulatory Fines: Licensing or safety penalties

Contractual Liability: Indemnities and damages apply

Delay Costs: Lost sales and remediation expenses

Key Security and Compliance Controls to Include

Encryption: TLS 1.2/1.3 in transit

At-Rest Protection: AES-256 encryption

Regulatory Standards: ESIGN and UETA compliance

Audit Trail: Detailed timestamped events

HIPAA BAA: Execute BAA for PHI workflows

Certifications: SOC 2 Type II, ISO 27001

How Organizations Use Business Stores Agreements

Real-world examples show how different teams standardize execution and reduce turnaround time across multiple locations.

Optica Ventures LLC

The interface is simple and easy-to-use for our team; more importantly, it is just as easy for our customers.

Faster execution and fewer follow-ups saved administrative hours.
Optica standardized store templates across new openings and reduced signature turnaround by centralizing review and execution processes, improving compliance and customer experience.

Martin Properties

I can process and execute all of these documents online with 100% compliance and built-in security.

Mobile signing enabled on-site closures.
Martin Properties eliminated paper routing and used a single executed PDF archive per location, which streamlined audits and accelerated lease assignments.

Frequently Asked Questions About Business Stores Agreements

Answers to common execution, validity, and storage questions for Business Stores Agreements.

Need help? Contact support

Can this agreement be signed electronically?
Yes. Electronic signatures are valid under the federal ESIGN Act (15 U.S.C. §7001) and UETA in most states when intent, consent, attribution, and retention requirements are met; verify exceptions for the specific transaction.
Is notarization required?
Not always. Notarization depends on state law and the transaction type (for example, some deeds or assignments require notary or witnesses); check state recordation rules before execution.
Who must sign on behalf of an entity?
A person with authority to bind the entity must sign; for corporations, this is typically an officer, or a person with a board resolution granting signing authority; verify corporate governance documents.
How do I correct a mistake after signing?
Prepare an amendment or corrected agreement and obtain signatures from all original parties; do not alter the executed original without agreement, and retain both the original and amendment.
How long should executed agreements be retained?
Retain for the active term plus a recommended period (typically at least 3–7 years); IRS and HIPAA rules may require longer retention depending on content and industry.
What if a party refuses to sign electronically?
Offer paper signing or in-person signing alternatives, document consent refusals, and ensure any manual signatures are handled consistently with the agreement’s execution and recordkeeping provisions.

be ready to get more

Join over 28 million airSlate SignNow users

Sign Now