Is a Buff City Soap franchisee allowed to use any Mark as part of any Entity name?
Buff_City_Soap Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
Franchisee may not directly or indirectly at any time or in any manner use any Mark, including any use of Marks in a derogatory, negative, or other inappropriate manner in any media, including, but not limited to, print or electronic media; use any colorable imitation of a Mark in any manner or for any purpose; utilize for any purpose any trade name, trade or service mark or other commercial symbol or other indicia that indicates or suggests a connection or association with Franchisor, the Makery or the Brand; identify any business as a former Makery; or identify itself as one of Franchisor's licensees or franchisees (except with respect to other Buff City Soap makeries Franchisee owns and operates under continuing agreements with Franchisor).
Franchisee will take such action as may be required to cancel all fictitious or assumed names or equivalent registrations relating to its use of any Mark.
Franchisee will assign to Franchisor (or its designee) or cancel any electronic mail address, domain name, search engine, website, or Social Media account that associates Franchisee with Franchisor, the Makery, System, or Marks.
Source: Item 23 — Receipts (FDD pages 69–186)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to the 2025 Buff City Soap Franchise Disclosure Document, a franchisee is not allowed to use any Buff City Soap Mark as part of their entity name. The FDD states that the franchisee may not directly or indirectly at any time or in any manner use any Mark. This includes any use of Marks in a derogatory, negative, or other inappropriate manner in any media, including, but not limited to, print or electronic media; use any colorable imitation of a Mark in any manner or for any purpose; utilize for any purpose any trade name, trade or service mark or other commercial symbol or other indicia that indicates or suggests a connection or association with Franchisor, the Makery or the Brand; identify any business as a former Makery; or identify itself as one of Franchisor's licensees or franchisees (except with respect to other Buff City Soap makeries Franchisee owns and operates under continuing agreements with Franchisor).
This restriction ensures that the franchisee does not create any confusion in the marketplace regarding the ownership and operation of the Buff City Soap brand. It protects the integrity and uniformity of the brand by preventing franchisees from implying an ownership stake or a closer association with Buff City Soap than actually exists.
Furthermore, upon termination of the franchise agreement, the franchisee must take action to cancel all fictitious or assumed names or equivalent registrations relating to its use of any Mark. This obligation reinforces the franchisor's control over its Marks and prevents any unauthorized use after the franchise relationship ends. The franchisee must also assign to Buff City Soap or cancel any electronic mail address, domain name, search engine, website, or Social Media account that associates Franchisee with Franchisor, the Makery, System, or Marks.