Can Buns On Fire revoke approval of a supplier or item at any time?
Buns_On_Fire Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
le, paying a pro rata share of the cost of yellow pages advertising (or equivalent) placed on behalf of Franchisee and other Buns on Fire restaurants. Franchisee may not solicit business through the use of an 800 (or other toll-free) number, direct mail, internet advertising or other advertising method without Franchisor's prior written consent.
9.3 Franchisor Must Approve Advertising Materials
Franchisee must submit to Franchisor, for its approval, all materials to be used for local advertising, unless they have been approved before or they consist only of materials Franchisor provided. All materials containing the Marks must include the designation trademark ™, registered trademark ®, service mark SM, copyright ©, as applicable, or any other designation Franchisor specifies. If Franchisee does not receive written or oral disapproval of any materials submitted within fifteen (15) days from the date Franchisor receives the materials, the materials are disapproved. Any materials submitted to Franchisor for its approval will become Franchisor's property, and there will be no restriction on Franchisor's use of such materials. Franchisor may require Franchisee to withdraw and/or discontinue the use of any promotional materials or advertising, even if previously approved. Franchisor must make this requirement in writing, and Franchisee has five (5) days after receipt of Franchisor's notice to withdraw and/or discontinue use of the materials or advertising. Franchisee's submission of advertising for approval does not affect his/her right to determine the prices at which Franchisee sells his/her services or products. Franchisee must include in any significant display advertisements, and in marketing materials for the Franchised Business, in conformance with standards in the Confidential Operations Manual, a notice that the Franchised Business is individually owned and operated. Subject to any legal restrictions, Franchisee also must display or make available, in the reception area of the Franchised Business, marketing materials that Franchisor provides to Franchisee about the purchase of Buns on Fire franchises, but Franchisee has no responsibility or authority to act for Franchisor in franchise sales.
9.4 Telephone Listings
Franchisee acknowledges and agrees that Franchisor will own all rights to and interest in all internet websites and each telephone number and telephone directory listing used by Franchisee that is associated in any manner with the Franchised Business and/or with any Mark ("Telephone Listing"). Franchisee acknowledges and agrees that all goodwill arising from or in connection with the use of each website or Telephone Listing will inure to Franchisor's benefit. Promptly after the expiration, termination, repurchase or transfer of the franchise, and at Franchisee's own expense, Franchisee will notify all telephone companies with whom he/she has any Telephone Listing and direct them to transfer the Telephone Listing to Franchisor or to any person(s) Franchisor designates, and Franchisee will execute any and all documents necessary to complete these transfer(s). On the execution of this Agreement, Franchisee will sign a telephone transfer consent and authorization, in a form substantially similar to Exhibit E, granting Franchisor the authority to change, transfer or terminate Franchisee's Telephone Listing(s) on Franchisee's behalf. Franchisor will use this authorization only if Franchisee does not comply fully with this Section 9.4 after the expiration, termination, repurchase or transfer of the franchise.
9.5 Website
The Franchisee shall not maintain a World-Wide Website or otherwise maintain a presence or advertise on the Internet or any other public computer network in connection with the Franchised Business without Franchisor's prior written approval, which Franchisor may withhold for any reason or no reason. Franchisee agrees to submit to Franchisor for approval before use, true and correct printouts of all Website pages Franchisee proposes to use in his/her website in connection with the Franchised Business. Franchisee understands and agrees that Franchisor's right of approval of all such Web materials is necessitated by the fact that such Web materials will include and be inextricably linked with Franchisor's Marks. Franchisee may only use materials which Franchisor has approved.
Source: Item 23 — RECEIPTS (FDD pages 49–200)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to the 2025 Buns On Fire Franchise Disclosure Document, Buns On Fire retains significant control over the items and advertising materials franchisees use. Specifically, Buns On Fire requires franchisees to submit all local advertising materials for approval, unless the materials have been previously approved or provided by Buns On Fire. If a franchisee submits materials and does not receive disapproval within fifteen days, the materials are considered disapproved.
Importantly, Buns On Fire maintains the right to require a franchisee to withdraw or discontinue using any promotional or advertising materials, even if those materials were previously approved. Buns On Fire must provide this requirement in writing, and the franchisee then has five days to comply. This provision gives Buns On Fire considerable power to control the brand's image and marketing.
Furthermore, Buns On Fire reserves the right to approve any signs, memos, stationery, business cards, advertising material forms, and all other objects and supplies using the Buns On Fire marks. If Buns On Fire decides to modify or discontinue the use of any mark or adopt new marks, franchisees are obligated to comply with these instructions at their own expense, although Buns On Fire will cover the direct, reasonable expenses of changing the Franchised Business' signage. This ensures uniformity and consistency across all Buns On Fire locations, but it also means franchisees must be prepared to adapt to changes mandated by the franchisor.