What affirmative action is an Aplus franchisee required to take to indicate they are operating under a franchise?
Aplus Franchise · 2024 FDDAnswer from 2024 FDD Document
Franchisee shall operate the Franchised Business so that it is clearly identified and advertised as an APLUS Store. Franchisee shall use the trademark "APLUS" and the other Marks which now or hereafter may form a part of the System, on all signs, suppliers, business cards, uniforms, advertising materials, Technology platforms, signs and other articles in the identical combination and manner as the Franchisor may prescribe in writing and Franchisee shallsupply to the Franchisorsamples and photographs of the same upon Franchisor's request. Franchisee shall comply with all trademark, trade name, service mark and copyright notice marking requirements and Franchisee shall ssupply to the Franchisor samples or photographs upon Franchisor's request.
Source: Item 23 — RECEIPT (FDD pages 68–302)
What This Means (2024 FDD)
According to Aplus's 2024 Franchise Disclosure Document, franchisees must clearly identify and advertise their business as an Aplus store. This includes using the "APLUS" trademark and other marks that are part of the Aplus system on all signs, supplies, business cards, uniforms, advertising materials, technology platforms, and other articles. The combination and manner of use must be identical to what Aplus prescribes in writing.
Additionally, Aplus franchisees must supply samples and photographs of these items to Aplus upon request. Compliance with all trademark, trade name, service mark, and copyright notice marking requirements is mandatory. This ensures that the Aplus brand is consistently and accurately represented across all franchise locations.
This requirement is typical in franchising, as it protects the brand's identity and goodwill. By adhering to these guidelines, franchisees contribute to the overall brand recognition and customer trust associated with Aplus. Failure to comply with these requirements could result in a breach of the franchise agreement and potential penalties.