In the franchise world I believe there is not such thing as protected territory. I owned 5 stores and then an outlet was opened in a hospital, a Target and a supermarket all within my territory. Look at how Haagen Daaz and Carvel were ruined with product in every supermarket and seven eleven store. Now Dunkin is worth nothing b/c of management selling coffee at Hess stations where gasoline has supposably seeped into the coffee machines and makes the coffee toxic. I'm waiting for McD's to start selling their fries in markets so I can eat my White Castle Burger with McD fries and have Haazen Daaz for desert.