What is the Bumper Man franchisee required to do before making any public communication, press release, or announcement regarding a Crisis Management Event?
Bumper_Man Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
Franchisee must notify Franchisor immediately if it is notified of a credit card breach (as such constitutes a Crisis Management Event) related to the Bumper Business and Franchisee's business related thereto and must cooperate with applicable authorities fully with respect to the investigation. Further, Franchisee must cooperate with Franchisor fully with respect to media statements (if any) and other items related to managing the Crisis Management Event for the purpose of protecting the Marks and System.
Source: Item 23 — RECEIPTS (FDD pages 45–180)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to the 2025 Bumper Man Franchise Disclosure Document, a franchisee must cooperate fully with Bumper Man regarding media statements and other items related to managing a Crisis Management Event to protect the Marks and System.
In practical terms, this means that if a crisis occurs that could impact the Bumper Man brand (such as a credit card breach), the franchisee is not allowed to make any independent public statements. Instead, they must work closely with Bumper Man to ensure that all communications are aligned with the company's strategy for managing the situation. This requirement is in place to protect the brand's reputation and ensure consistent messaging during a crisis.
This level of control is common in franchising, as franchisors need to maintain brand consistency and manage public perception. For a prospective Bumper Man franchisee, this means relinquishing some control over public communications during a crisis and relying on the franchisor's expertise and guidance. Failure to comply with Bumper Man's instructions during a crisis could potentially lead to penalties or even termination of the franchise agreement.