Why does Bumper Man control the purchase of trademarked and logo items?

According to Bumper Man's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, Bumper Man controls the purchase of trademarked and logo items to protect its trademarks and trade secret rights, and to ensure quality control and uniformity of products and services within the Bumper Man system. These items include uniforms, advertising, promotional, and marketing materials. Bumper Man provides an initial supply of these items at no additional cost to the franchisee, except for shipping expenses.

This control is a common practice in franchising, as it allows Bumper Man to maintain brand consistency and protect its intellectual property. By requiring franchisees to purchase trademarked and logo items from approved sources, Bumper Man can ensure that all franchisees use products that meet its standards. This helps to create a consistent brand image and customer experience across all Bumper Man locations.

Franchisees may purchase supplemental advertising, promotional, and marketing items from Bumper Man at cost. They also have the option to purchase apparel and other Bumper Man branded merchandise from Bumper Man at cost. While franchisees may want the flexibility to source these items themselves, Bumper Man maintains control to ensure brand standards are upheld. This is a tradeoff franchisees must consider.

The FDD does not specify the exact costs of supplemental or optional items, but it does state that Bumper Man provides the initial supply of uniforms, advertising, promotional, and marketing items at no additional cost, aside from shipping. Prospective franchisees should inquire about the typical costs of these supplemental and optional items to factor them into their operating budget.