Does the Brueggers Bagels franchise agreement confer any ownership interest in the Works to me?
Brueggers_Bagels Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
10.1.2. Cease to use the confidential methods, procedures, and techniques associated with the System, the "Bruegger's" and "Bruegger's Bagels" names and marks, all other Proprietary Marks, the Works, and all other distinctive forms, slogans, signs, symbols, Web sites, domain names, email addresses, other electronic identifiers, and devices associated with the System; withdraw all advertising matter (including electronic marketing); and except as provided in Section 10.2 below not thereafter, directly or indirectly, represent yourself to the public or hold yourself out as a present or former franchisee of ours;
10.1.3. Deliver to us the Manuals and all other records, correspondence, and instructions in your possession or control, in any medium, that contain confidential information, trade secrets, or know-how relating to the System or the operation of a Bakery, all of which you acknowledge to be our property;
10.1.4. Take such action as may be necessary to cancel any assumed name registration or equivalent registration, and any e-mail address or domain name registration, obtained by you which contains "Bruegger's" or any other Proprietary Marks, and furnish evidence satisfactory to us of compliance with this obligation within five (5) days after termination or expiration of this Agreement.
Source: Item 22 — CONTRACTS (FDD page 61)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to the 2025 Brueggers Bagels Franchise Disclosure Document, upon termination or expiration of the Franchise Agreement, the franchisee does not have the right to continue operating any bakery unless a new Franchise Agreement has been executed prior to termination. Brueggers Bagels retains the right to establish or franchise others to establish bakeries in the Development Area, except as otherwise provided under any Franchise Agreement that remains in effect between Brueggers Bagels and the franchisee.
Specifically, the franchisee must cease using confidential methods, procedures, and techniques associated with the Brueggers Bagels system, including the "Bruegger's" and "Bruegger's Bagels" names and marks, all other Proprietary Marks, the Works, and all other distinctive forms, slogans, signs, symbols, websites, domain names, email addresses, other electronic identifiers, and devices associated with the System. The franchisee must also withdraw all advertising matter and not represent themselves as a present or former franchisee.
Furthermore, the franchisee is required to deliver to Brueggers Bagels the Manuals and all other records, correspondence, and instructions in their possession or control that contain confidential information, trade secrets, or know-how relating to the System or the operation of a Bakery, all of which are acknowledged to be the property of Brueggers Bagels. The franchisee must also take action to cancel any assumed name registration or equivalent registration, and any e-mail address or domain name registration, obtained by them which contains "Bruegger's" or any other Proprietary Marks, and furnish evidence of compliance within five days after termination or expiration.