Can a Budget licensee use the Rental Business telephone number for other businesses?
Budget Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
Licensee agrees to maintain not less than one (1) separate telephone number and facsimile/electronic communication line for the Rental Business which will be listed as, and identified exclusively with, the Rental Business (separate and distinct from all other telephone numbers maintained by Licensee), in all primary general and business telephone directories distributed within the Territory and in such other telephone directories, and in all advertising in which such number or numbers appear, as will be prescribed by Budget in the Standards.
All telephone, facsimile and electronic communication lines and other commercial numbers, whether installed by or at the cost of Licensee or not, which are advertised in connection with the Rental Business (including listings in the white and yellow pages and any other telephone, online or other business directories) are held by Licensee solely for the purpose of performing under this Agreement and its related Exhibits.
Budget may suffer losses and damages if Licensee diverts or transfers such telephone numbers, facsimile/electronic communication lines, domain names or weblinks (or permits their diversion or transfer) or uses them or permits their use for, or in connection with, any business other than the Rental Business.
Licensee agrees that its commitment not to divert or misuse the telephone numbers, facsimile service/electronic communication lines, weblinks or domain names will survive termination of this Agreement for any reason, for the enduring benefit of the Network as a whole.
Source: Item 23 — RECEIPTS (FDD pages 80–426)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Budget's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, a licensee must maintain at least one separate telephone number and communication line exclusively for the Rental Business. This number must be listed and identified solely with the Rental Business, distinct from any other telephone numbers the licensee maintains. This requirement applies to all primary general and business telephone directories distributed within the territory, as well as any other directories and advertising materials where the number appears, as prescribed by Budget's standards.
The agreement specifies that all telephone, facsimile, and electronic communication lines advertised in connection with the Rental Business are held by the licensee solely for performing under the franchise agreement. This includes listings in white and yellow pages, online directories, and other business directories.
Budget emphasizes that licensees may suffer losses and damages if they divert or misuse these telephone numbers, communication lines, domain names, or weblinks for any business other than the Rental Business. Furthermore, the licensee's commitment to not divert or misuse these assets survives the termination of the agreement, benefiting the Budget network as a whole. This ensures that the telephone numbers and communication lines remain dedicated to the Budget Rental Business and are not used for other ventures, even after the franchise agreement ends.