After the expiration, termination, or non-renewal of a Buns On Fire franchise agreement, what is a franchisee prohibited from doing regarding association with the franchisor?
Buns_On_Fire Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
ermination sent pursuant to Section 17.2 or 17.3 of this Agreement or the day after the Initial Term, as stated in Section 4.1 of this Agreement.
18.2 Payment of Amounts Owed
Upon the Effective Date of Termination, Franchisee shall no longer be an authorized franchisee and Franchisee shall pay all sums of money due Franchisor or any of its subsidiary or affiliated corporations within fifteen (15) days of the Effective Date of Termination, unless Franchisor gives written notice of an extension of this period.
18.3 Discontinue Use of Marks; Change of Corporate Name
Upon the Effective Date of Termination, Franchisee shall cease the use of all Marks owned by or associated with Franchisor and all similar names and marks, or any other designation or mark associating Franchisee with the System. If Franchisee is a corporation, limited liability company, or partnership and, notwithstanding the prohibition of utilizing the Marks or the "Buns on Fire" name in its corporate or partnership name, has used the Marks or the "Buns on Fire name or any names, marks or designations that associate Franchisee with Franchisor in its corporate or partnership name, Franchisee shall, within fifteen (15) days of the Effective Date of Termination, take all necessary steps to eliminate "Buns on Fire from its corporate or partnership name, at the Franchisee's own cost and expense.
18.4 Signage
Upon the Effective Date of Termination, Franchisee shall discontinue displaying and using any and all signs, stationery, letterheads, forms, manuals, printed matter, advertising, and other material containing the Marks, "Buns on Fire" or any other names, marks, or designations that associate Franchisee with the System.
18.5 No Further Acts
After the Effective Date of Termination, Franchisee shall desist from taking any action indicating or implying that the Franchisee is an authorized franchisee.
18.6 Financial Records and Reports
- (i.) Franchisee shall maintain all financial records and reports required pursuant to this Agreement or the Confidential Operations Manual for a period of not less than three (3) years after the Effective Date of Termination. Franchisee shall permit Franchisor to make final inspection of Franchisee's financial records, books, tax returns, and other accounting records within three (3) years of the Effective Date of Termination.
- (ii.) Within fifteen (15) days of termination, Franchisee shall transfer or make available to Franchisor all Franchised Business data (including but not limited to sales, labor, cost of goods, marketing, and all other business data) from any server or computer used in connection with the Franchised Business.
18.7 Vacate Premises
Upon the Effective Date of Termination, Franchisee shall, pursuant to the lease or conditional lease assignment and upon demand of Franchisor, vacate and surrender the Franchised Business premises in accordance with the terms and conditions under the terms of the lease, and/or conditional lease assignment.
18.8 Websites, Telephone Numbers, and Listings
Upon the Effective Date of Termination, Franchisee shall immediately cease to use of any websites, telephone numbers used by Franchisee while conducting business as a Buns on Fire franchise and shall
promptly execute any and all such documents or take steps necessary to remove Franchisee's listing as a Buns on Fire franchise from the "Yellow Pages", all other telephone directories, all other trade or other business directories, and any URL or websites.
Source: Item 23 — RECEIPTS (FDD pages 49–200)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to the 2025 Buns On Fire Franchise Disclosure Document, after the termination, expiration, or non-renewal of a franchise agreement, franchisees must discontinue several activities that associate them with the Buns On Fire system. Specifically, the franchisee must cease using all trademarks owned by or associated with Buns On Fire, including similar names and marks. If the franchisee's business name includes "Buns on Fire" or any other designation associating them with the franchisor, they must take steps to eliminate it within 15 days of termination.
Furthermore, franchisees must stop displaying and using any signs, stationery, letterheads, forms, manuals, printed matter, advertising, and other material containing the Buns On Fire marks or any designations that associate them with the system. They are also prohibited from taking any action that indicates or implies they are an authorized Buns On Fire franchisee. This includes ceasing the use of any websites and telephone numbers used while operating as a Buns On Fire franchise and removing their listing from telephone and business directories and websites.
In addition to ceasing operations, franchisees must return all manuals, including the Confidential Operations Manual, records, files, instructions, recipes, correspondence, and any materials related to the operation of the franchised business to Buns On Fire within 15 days of termination. The franchisee can only retain a copy of the Franchise Agreement, correspondence between the parties, and documents needed for legal compliance and financial records as described in Section 18.6 of the agreement. Franchisees must also vacate and surrender the franchised business premises as per the lease agreement.