Is there a fee associated with the 'Assignment of Telephone Number(s)' for a Bumper Man franchise?
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)
The 2025 Bumper Man Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD) outlines the franchisee's responsibilities regarding telephone numbers 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 phone numbers associated with the Bumper Man brand. They must also authorize the transfer of these numbers and directory listings to Bumper Man or follow Bumper Man's instructions to forward calls to a specified number. However, the FDD does not explicitly state whether Bumper Man charges a fee for the 'Assignment of Telephone Numbers'.
While the FDD details the franchisee's obligations to transfer or forward phone numbers, it remains silent on any associated costs or fees that Bumper Man might impose for this process. The franchisee is responsible for the costs of de-identifying the business, but the FDD does not clarify if this extends to fees related to telephone number assignments.
Therefore, a prospective Bumper Man franchisee should seek clarification from the franchisor regarding any potential fees associated with the assignment of telephone numbers upon termination or expiration of the franchise agreement. Understanding these potential costs is crucial for a complete understanding of the financial obligations involved in exiting the Bumper Man franchise system.