What is a Buff City Soap franchisee prohibited from doing with the Marks after termination or expiration of the agreement?
Buff_City_Soap Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
- (b) Marks.
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.
Source: Item 23 — Receipts (FDD pages 69–186)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to the 2025 Buff City Soap Franchise Disclosure Document, after the termination or expiration of the franchise agreement, a franchisee is prohibited from using any Buff City Soap Mark in any manner, directly or indirectly. This includes using the Marks in a derogatory or negative way in any media, including print or electronic media.
Furthermore, franchisees cannot use any imitation of a Buff City Soap Mark or utilize any trade name, service mark, or commercial symbol that suggests an association with Buff City Soap. They are also prohibited from identifying any business as a former Buff City Soap Makery or identifying themselves as a Buff City Soap licensee or franchisee, unless they own and operate other Buff City Soap makeries under continuing agreements with Buff City Soap.
In practical terms, this means that upon termination or expiration, a former Buff City Soap franchisee must completely disassociate their business from the Buff City Soap brand. They cannot leverage the brand's reputation or goodwill in any way, and must take active steps to ensure there is no confusion among customers that the business is still affiliated with Buff City Soap. This is a standard practice in franchising to protect the integrity and value of the brand.