Can the Bumper Man franchisee use a third-party answering service for the assigned telephone numbers?
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)
Based on the 2025 Bumper Man Franchise Disclosure Document, the document does not explicitly state whether a franchisee can use a third-party answering service for assigned telephone numbers. However, the FDD does state that upon termination or expiration of the franchise agreement, the franchisee must notify the telephone company and directory publishers of the termination of their right to use any telephone numbers associated with the Bumper Man brand. They must also authorize the transfer of such numbers to Bumper Man or follow the franchisor's instructions to forward calls to a number Bumper Man specifies.
This implies that Bumper Man has specific requirements regarding telephone numbers and how they are handled, especially after the franchise agreement ends. While it doesn't directly prohibit using a third-party answering service, it emphasizes Bumper Man's control over these numbers and the need to maintain brand consistency.
Therefore, a prospective franchisee should clarify with Bumper Man whether using a third-party answering service is permitted, and if so, what specific requirements or approvals are needed to ensure compliance with Bumper Man's standards and to facilitate the smooth transfer of phone numbers back to the franchisor, if necessary.