Can a former Bonchon franchisee identify themselves as a former franchisee?

According to Bonchon's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, a former franchisee is prohibited from identifying themselves as such. The franchise agreement states that upon expiration or termination of the agreement, the franchisee loses all rights to use Bonchon's proprietary marks, the Bonchon system, and confidential information.

Specifically, the agreement stipulates that the franchisee may never identify themselves to the public in any fashion as a current or former Bonchon franchisee. This restriction is in place to protect Bonchon's brand and prevent any potential confusion or misrepresentation by former franchisees.

This provision is fairly standard in franchise agreements. Bonchon aims to maintain tight control over its brand identity and customer perception, and preventing former franchisees from claiming association with the brand is one way to achieve this. Prospective franchisees should be aware of this restriction and its implications for their future business activities after the franchise agreement ends.