Does the 'Assignment of Telephone Number(s)' include an expiration date for the assignment of telephone numbers for a Bumper Man franchise?
Bumper_Man Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
if any, relating to its use of any Mark.
- (c) System and Manual. Franchisee will immediately cease to use the System and Confidential Information in any business or otherwise; and return to Franchisor the Manual, Confidential Information, all Proprietary Products and any other materials, equipment or supplies that Franchisor has loaned to Franchisee for use in connection with the operation of the Bumper
Business, including without limitation the tablet on which the Manual and Proprietary Software are stored.
- (d) Disassociation in Communication Methods. Franchisee will, at Franchisor's option, 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 Bumper Business, System, or Marks.
Source: Item 23 — RECEIPTS (FDD pages 45–180)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to the 2025 Bumper Man FDD, Exhibit G pertains to the 'Assignment of Telephone Number(s).' However, the document does not specify a particular expiration date for the assignment of telephone numbers. Instead, it indicates that upon the expiration or termination of the Franchise Agreement, the franchisee must notify the telephone company and directory publishers about the termination of their right to use any telephone numbers associated with any Mark.
Furthermore, the franchisee is required to authorize the transfer of such numbers and directory listings to Bumper Man or, at Bumper Man's direction, instruct the telephone company to forward all calls made to the franchisee's telephone numbers to numbers Bumper Man specifies. This ensures that Bumper Man maintains control over the phone numbers and listings associated with the brand, even after a franchise agreement ends.
In practical terms, this means that a Bumper Man franchisee will likely lose the right to use the assigned telephone numbers upon termination or expiration of their franchise agreement. The franchisee must take active steps to transfer or forward those numbers to Bumper Man to ensure a smooth transition and prevent customer confusion. Prospective franchisees should clarify with Bumper Man the specific procedures and potential costs associated with transferring or forwarding telephone numbers upon termination or expiration of the franchise agreement.