Can a Bumper Man franchisee retain any rights to the assigned telephone numbers after the assignment?
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 Franchise Disclosure Document, franchisees do not retain rights to telephone numbers associated with the business upon termination or expiration of the franchise agreement. Specifically, the franchisee is required to notify the telephone company and directory publishers about the termination of their right to use any telephone numbers associated with the Bumper Man brand.
Furthermore, the franchisee must authorize the transfer of these telephone numbers and directory listings to Bumper Man, as detailed in Exhibit G of the franchise agreement. Alternatively, at Bumper Man's direction, the franchisee must instruct the telephone company to forward all calls made to the franchisee's telephone numbers to a number specified by Bumper Man.
This requirement ensures that Bumper Man maintains control over its branding and customer communications, preventing potential confusion or loss of business following a franchise termination. It is a standard practice in franchising to ensure brand consistency and protect the franchisor's goodwill. Franchisees should be aware that they will lose control of any phone numbers or online presence associated with the Bumper Man business upon leaving the franchise system.