Is a Bumper Man franchisee allowed to operate a Bumper Man business outside of their designated area?
Bumper_Man Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
nchise Agreement is signed.
Because the Bumper Man business is based on an owner-operator model where the operator does not have personnel, a Bumper Man franchisee may not operate a Bumper Man business in more than one Designated Area, except as authorized by us in limited circumstances. In addition, you will not receive a right of first refusal or guaranteed right to acquire additional Designated Areas.
We occasionally negotiate national account status with wholesale auto auction houses, rental car chains, automobile repair chains and other businesses that maintain fleets of vehicles. We may at our option offer you the opportunity to service a local auction or repair facility outside your Designated Area as they come available through our national account status. We will offer you these opportunities on an "as needed" basis, which may be once or periodically. In addition, you may request our consent to solicit or accept orders for bumper repair services to customers outside of your Designated Area provided that you may not direct marketing, advertising, or promotions for bumper repair services to customers within the designated area of another Bumper Man franchisee or perform bumper repair services for any customer within the designated area of another Bumper Man franchisee. If, subject to the limitations described above, you elect to provide bumper repair services to customers outside your Designated Area, you will sign an amendment to the Franchise Agreement memorializing the terms and conditions under which you will perform such services in a form prescribed by us.
ITEM 13 TRADEMARKS
We grant you the non-exclusive right to operate a Bumper Man bumper repair services business under the Marks.
Source: Item 12 — TERRITORY (FDD pages 27–29)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Bumper Man's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, franchisees are generally restricted to operating within their designated area but may, under certain conditions, provide services outside of it. Bumper Man may offer franchisees the opportunity to service local facilities outside their designated area through national accounts with businesses like auto auction houses or rental car chains. These opportunities are offered on an "as needed" basis.
Additionally, a franchisee can request Bumper Man's consent to solicit or accept orders from customers outside their designated area. However, franchisees are prohibited from directing marketing or advertising to customers within another franchisee's designated area and from performing services within another franchisee's designated area without consent. If a franchisee is approved to provide services outside their designated area, they must sign an amendment to the Franchise Agreement outlining the terms and conditions of these services.
It's important to note that Bumper Man franchisees operate under an owner-operator model, typically without personnel. Consequently, a franchisee may not operate a Bumper Man business in more than one designated area, except in limited circumstances authorized by Bumper Man. Franchisees also do not receive a right of first refusal or guaranteed right to acquire additional designated areas. A franchisee may request to transfer their Bumper Man business to a new designated area, subject to the franchisor's approval and the availability of a new territory.