Does the 'Assignment of Telephone Number(s)' specify how Bumper Man will use the assigned telephone numbers?
Bumper_Man Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
- (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. Franchisee will notify the telephone company and all telephone directory publishers of the expiration or termination of Franchisee's right to use any telephone, telecopy, or other numbers and any telephone directory listings associated with any Mark, authorize the transfer of such numbers and directory listings to Franchisor in accordance with Exhibit G, or, at Franchisor's direction, instruct the telephone company to forward all calls made to Franchisee's telephone numbers to numbers Franchisor specifies.
Source: Item 23 — RECEIPTS (FDD pages 45–180)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to the 2025 Bumper Man FDD, upon termination or expiration of the franchise agreement, the franchisee is required to transfer telephone numbers and directory listings associated with any Bumper Man mark to the franchisor. Alternatively, at Bumper Man's direction, the franchisee must instruct the telephone company to forward all calls to numbers Bumper Man specifies. The FDD does not explicitly state how Bumper Man will utilize these telephone numbers after they are transferred or forwarded.
This reassignment of telephone numbers ensures that Bumper Man maintains control over its brand identity and customer communications even after a franchise location ceases operation. This is a common practice in franchising to prevent confusion and maintain brand consistency. By controlling the phone numbers, Bumper Man can redirect customer inquiries to other locations or manage the transition in a way that best serves its overall business interests.
A prospective Bumper Man franchisee should inquire with the franchisor about the specific plans for using these phone numbers. Understanding whether the numbers will be used to support other franchisees, direct customers to a new service area, or for other marketing purposes can provide valuable insight into Bumper Man's long-term business strategy and its commitment to supporting its franchise network. This information can help a franchisee assess the potential impact of the franchise agreement's termination or expiration on their business and customer relationships.