How must a Big Apple Bagels franchisee identify themselves as the owner of the store?
Big_Apple_Bagels Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
You specifically agree to use the Marks as the sole identification of the Store, but you must identify yourself as the independent owner in the manner prescribed by BAB. You may not use any mark as part of any corporate or trade name or with any prefix, suffix or other modifying words, nicknames, terms, designs or symbols, or in any modified form (including, without limitation, any local or special adaptations or artistic variations of any of the Marks), nor may you use any Mark in connection with the sale of any unauthorized product or service or in any other manner not expressly authorized in writing by BAB. You agree not to register the Marks on the Internet or any other electronic service, including Social Media and mobile marketing applications, or use or register the Marks on the Internet in any other manner. You are strictly prohibited from creating or maintaining a website for your Store, or a website that uses BAB's Marks. BAB has the sole right to create, establish, own, and control the website for your Store. You agree to display the Marks prominently and in the manner prescribed by BAB on signs, forms, and other materials and articles. Further, you agree to give such notices of trademark or service mark ownership or registration and copyrights as BAB specifies and to obtain such fictitious or assumed name registrations as may be required under applicable law. Any and all uses of the Marks will be subject to BAB's prior written approval, and a request for such approval will include such information and samples as BAB may require. You may not use the name "Big Apple Bagels," "BAB," or a derivative of those names in your corporate or other formal name.
Source: Item 13 — TRADEMARKS (FDD pages 57–64)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Big Apple Bagels's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, franchisees must identify themselves as the independent owner of their store in a manner prescribed by Big Apple Bagels. While franchisees must use the Big Apple Bagels trademarks as the sole identification of the store, they are also required to clearly indicate their independent ownership.
This means that while the store will be branded as a Big Apple Bagels, customers should be aware that it is owned and operated by an independent franchisee. The specific method for indicating this independent ownership is determined by Big Apple Bagels, giving them control over how this information is presented to the public.
Furthermore, franchisees are prohibited from using any Big Apple Bagels mark as part of their corporate or trade name, or with any modifications, without written authorization from Big Apple Bagels. They also cannot register the marks on the internet or create a website for their store using Big Apple Bagels' trademarks, as the franchisor maintains control over the brand's online presence. All uses of the marks are subject to Big Apple Bagels' prior written approval, ensuring brand consistency and adherence to their standards.