Who owns the rights to the telephone number(s) used for a Bens Soft Pretzels store?
Bens_Soft_Pretzels Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
- (5) We may, at our option, maintain one or more telephone number(s) for the Store and, if we do maintain the number(s), you will be authorized and required to use the number(s) during the term of the Franchise Agreement. You acknowledge that we will have the sole rights to and interest in all the telephone number(s). We will notify you monthly of the cost of the telephone service and you must, within five days of your receipt of the bill, reimburse us for our costs in maintaining
- telephone number(s) for the Store. In the event that you do not so reimburse us, we may, at our option, instruct the telephone service provider to terminate the telephone number(s) or to transfer the number(s) to us or our designee.
Source: Item 6 — OTHER FEES (FDD pages 12–16)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Bens Soft Pretzels's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, Bens Soft Pretzels retains ownership of the telephone numbers associated with the store, even though the franchisee is authorized and required to use them during the term of the Franchise Agreement. This means that Bens Soft Pretzels, at its option, may maintain one or more telephone numbers for the store. If Bens Soft Pretzels does so, the franchisee must use these numbers. The franchisee acknowledges that Bens Soft Pretzels has sole rights to and interest in all the telephone numbers.
The franchisee is responsible for reimbursing Bens Soft Pretzels for the costs of the telephone service. Bens Soft Pretzels will notify the franchisee monthly of the cost, and the franchisee must pay within five days of receiving the bill. If the franchisee fails to reimburse Bens Soft Pretzels, Bens Soft Pretzels has the option to instruct the telephone service provider to terminate the telephone number(s) or transfer them to Bens Soft Pretzels or its designee.
This arrangement is not uncommon in franchising, as it allows the franchisor to maintain brand consistency and control over customer communications. For a prospective franchisee, this means they will not own the phone number associated with their Bens Soft Pretzels store and must ensure timely reimbursement of telephone service costs to avoid potential termination or transfer of the number.