Is a Bumper Man franchisee required to purchase new or upgraded software programs, system documentation manuals, and other proprietary materials?
Bumper_Man Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
ch Bumper Man customer.
You must: (a) use any proprietary software programs, system documentation manuals and other proprietary materials that we require in connection with the operation of the Bumper Business; and (b) purchase new or upgraded software programs, system documentation manuals and other proprietary materials at then-current prices whenever we adopt new or upgraded programs, manuals and materials system-wide. You must enter into all software license agreements, "terms of use" agreements and software maintenance agreements, in the form and manner prescribed by our approved vendors, and pay all fees imposed under the agreements, as set forth in the Manual. (Franchise Agreement – Section 7). Neither we nor any third party is obligated to provide ongoing maintenance repairs upgrades or updates to any computer hardware, software, or related equipment. Costs of any optional or mandatory upgrades or maintenance that you may incur is unpredictable and determined by independent third-party vendors and will vary according to the computer system you choose to use.
Confidential Manual.
After you sign your Franchise Agreement and pay the initial franchise fee, we will give you access to our Manual. The Manual may be in electronic format. A copy of the Manual Table of Contents is attached to this disclosure document as Exhibit D. We consider the contents of the Manual to be proprietary and confidential and you are bound by the restrictive covenants regarding our confidential information set forth in the Franchise Agreement with respect to use of the Manual. The Manual for development and operation of the Bumper Business contains 69 pages. (Franchise Agreement – Section 9(a)).
Training:
After you sign the Franchise Agreement and pay the initial franchise fee, you will complete our initial training program during which you will work with two certified trainer Bumper Man franchisees and/or our corporate personnel from the list of trainers which follows the chart below. The initial training program includes the development, promotion and operation of a Bumper Man repair services business and management of business functions related to the Bumper Man repair services business.
Source: Item 11 — FRANCHISOR'S ASSISTANCE, ADVERTISING, COMPUTER SYSTEMS, AND TRAINING (FDD pages 22–27)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to the 2025 Bumper Man Franchise Disclosure Document, franchisees are required to use proprietary software programs, system documentation manuals, and other proprietary materials in connection with operating their Bumper Business. Furthermore, franchisees must purchase new or upgraded versions of these items whenever Bumper Man adopts new or upgraded versions system-wide. These purchases will be at then-current prices. Franchisees are also obligated to enter into all software license agreements, "terms of use" agreements and software maintenance agreements as prescribed by Bumper Man's approved vendors and pay all associated fees as outlined in the Manual.
It is important to note that neither Bumper Man nor any third party is obligated to provide ongoing maintenance, repairs, upgrades, or updates to any computer hardware, software, or related equipment. The costs of any optional or mandatory upgrades or maintenance are unpredictable, determined by independent third-party vendors, and will vary depending on the computer system the franchisee chooses to use.
Before commencing operations, franchisees must purchase a computer or tablet capable of running basic business function software, such as a word processing office suite and basic financial recordkeeping software (such as QuickBooks or Quicken). The estimated cost of this equipment ranges from $750 to $1,500. Franchisees will also use an iPad Mini or tablet loaned to them by Bumper Man, which will be pre-loaded with the Bumper Man software for inputting customer invoice and billing information and transmitting this information to Bumper Man. Accessories necessary for using the iPad Mini or tablet for invoicing, including a printer, are also part of this loan arrangement. Franchisees must acquire, install, and maintain anti-virus and anti-spyware software as required by Bumper Man and comply with data security and consumer privacy policies as set forth in the Manual.