Regarding site selection and acquisition/lease for a Bumper Man franchise, which items in the Disclosure Document should I refer to?
Bumper_Man Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
encement of Operations:
We grant a Designated Area (as defined in Item 12) for the operation of your Bumper Business within which you will perform mobile bumper repair services to Bumper Man customers. You will select the market area for your Bumper Business subject to availability and our agreement and we will provide a Designated Area within such market area. We may offer suggestions of available markets meeting our general criteria for a Designated Area. The selection criteria for the Designated Area are described in Item 12. The Designated Area is defined and agreed between Bumper Man and you before you purchase the franchise. We will determine the Designated Area by the specific geographic and market factors affecting the market and by our overall plan for development of the market. These market factors may include: the number of Major Dealerships, the number of regional and local dealerships, and the size and demographics of the local population. "Major Dealerships" means authorized dealers of a nationally recognized automobile brand (e.g., General Motors, Ford, Toyota, Honda, FCA US Brands (e.g. Dodge, Chrysler, Jeep) and any automobile or truck dealerships stocking an average of at least 50 used vehicles each month).
The period of time between the signing of the Franchise Agreement (or the payment of any consideration for the franchise) and the opening of your Bumper Business varies depending upon when you schedule initial training. Because you commence operations of your Bumper Business immediately upon completing initial training to our satisfaction, we estimate that you will commence operations three to five weeks following the execution of the Franchise Agreement and payment of the initial franchise fee.
Advertising:
We have no obligation to conduct advertising, although we reserve the right to advertise nationally through our website and social media platforms. We also reserve the right to conduct regional or local advertising. Any such advertising will be conducted at our sole cost and expense. We retain sole control over the creative concepts, materials and endorsements used to promote the Bumper Man system and their geographic, market and media placement and allocation.
Source: Item 9 — FRANCHISEE'S OBLIGATIONS (FDD pages 20–21)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to the 2025 Bumper Man FDD, Item 12 and Item 11 provide information regarding site selection. Item 11 discusses the designated area and commencement of operations, stating that Bumper Man grants a designated area for franchisees to operate their Bumper Business, performing mobile bumper repair services. Franchisees select their market area, subject to availability and Bumper Man's agreement, and Bumper Man may offer suggestions of available markets meeting their general criteria. The selection criteria for the designated area are described in Item 12.
Item 12 further clarifies that franchisees will not relocate their Bumper Business. The designated area is defined and agreed upon between Bumper Man and the franchisee before the franchise purchase. Bumper Man determines the designated area based on specific geographic and market factors, such as the number of Major Dealerships, regional and local dealerships, and the size and demographics of the local population. Major Dealerships are defined as authorized dealers of nationally recognized automobile brands stocking an average of at least 50 used vehicles each month.
It is important to note that Bumper Man franchisees do not receive an exclusive territory and may face competition from other businesses, outlets owned by Bumper Man, or other channels of distribution or competitive brands. However, franchisees will receive a designated area in which Bumper Man will not operate or grant others the right to operate a Bumper Man business, subject to the conditions outlined in Item 12. Prospective franchisees should carefully review these sections to understand the site selection process, territorial rights, and potential competition.