On what is the Benjamin Franklin Plumbing territory typically based?
Benjamin_Franklin_Plumbing Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
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You do not receive an exclusive territory. You may face competition from other franchisees, from outlets that we own, or from other channels of distribution or competitive brands that we control.
Typically, your Territory is based on total population blocks of approximately 100,000 individuals and defined using postal zip codes present at the time your Territory is defined, although it can vary. You will be able to choose your Territory based on available pre-defined territories, subject to our approval. We will use the most recent population information available in the U.S. Census Data, or other population statistical sources of our choosing to determine populations. Once we have determined your Territory, it will be defined in Appendix A to your Franchise Agreement.
We and our affiliates retain all rights not expressly granted to you in the Franchise Agreement. Among other things, regardless of the proximity to or the effect on your Franchised Business, we and our affiliates can:
- establish, operate, franchise, and license others to operate businesses under the Marks at any location outside of the Territory;
- operate a business under the Marks inside the Territory if: (i) we (or our affiliate) are operating a business under the Marks in the Territory as of the date you sign the Franchise Agreement; or (ii) we have notified you before you sign the
Franchise Agreement that we (or our affiliate) intend to operate a business under the Marks in the Territory;
- use the Marks in other lines of business, anywhere in the world;
Source: Item 12 — TERRITORY (FDD pages 57–60)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Benjamin Franklin Plumbing's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, a franchisee's territory is typically based on total population blocks of approximately 100,000 individuals. These territories are defined using postal zip codes present at the time the territory is established, although the FDD notes that the territory size can vary. Prospective franchisees can select their territory from available pre-defined territories, but this selection is subject to approval by Benjamin Franklin Plumbing.
Benjamin Franklin Plumbing uses the most recent population information available from the U.S. Census Data or other population statistical sources to determine the population within a territory. Once the territory is determined and approved, it is formally defined in Appendix A of the Franchise Agreement, which provides a clear and legally binding description of the franchisee's operating area.
While franchisees are granted a protected territory, this protection is not exclusive. The FDD states that a franchisee may face competition from other franchisees, outlets owned by Benjamin Franklin Plumbing, or other channels of distribution and competitive brands controlled by the company. This means that while Benjamin Franklin Plumbing will not directly authorize another franchise within the territory, other forms of competition are possible. Franchisees must also comply with the terms of the Franchise Agreement, including certain Minimum Performance Requirements, and primarily service customers within their territory to maintain their protected status.