Does Burros Fries have any liability to the franchisee if a modification, discontinuance, or other action regarding Names and Marks is required?
Burros_Fries Franchise · 2024 FDDAnswer from 2024 FDD Document
ating Manual as well as our policy statements, which underlie the goodwill associated with and symbolized by the Names and Marks.
B. Franchisee is Licensed to Use Names and Marks
With respect to Franchisee's franchised use of Burros & Fries Franchise, Inc.'s Names and Marks pursuant to this Agreement, Franchisee agrees that:
- Franchisee shall use only the Names and Marks as are approved in writing by us for Franchisee's use, and shall use them only in the manner authorized and permitted by us and that in any use whatsoever of the Names and Marks of ours that the Names and Marks are identified as being registered to or owned by Burros & Fries Franchise, Inc., with exclusive rights give to us;
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- Franchisee shall use the Names and Marks only in connection with the operation of the Business and in advertising for the Business conducted at or from the Franchisee's web page and Accepted Location;
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- Franchisee shall use and display, as we may require in the operation of the Business, a notice in the form approved by us indicating that Franchisee is a "Franchise of Burros & Fries" and that the Names and Marks are used by Franchisee under such Franchise. Franchisee must indicate to third parties that it is "independently owned and operated" and that we own the Marks and Franchisee uses them under a license;
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- Unless otherwise authorized or required by us, Franchisee shall operate and advertise the Business under the Name and Mark "Burros & Fries";
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- Franchisee's right to use the Names and Marks is limited to such usages as are authorized under this Agreement, and any unauthorized use shall constitute an infringement of our rights and a material breach of this Agreement;
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- Franchisee must obtain our approval for any use of any item of printed material of any kind bearing any of the Names or Marks, unless we supplied the item. We shall approve or deny Franchisee's request, which approval is in our sole discretion, within thirty (30) days of receipt of Franchisee's written request. If we fail to respond to Franchisee's request within said thirty (30) day period, Franchisee's request shall be deemed denied. Franchisee shall use such notices of Trademark registrations and copyrights as we specify.
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- Franchisee shall not use the Names and Marks to incur any obligations or indebtedness on our behalf;
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- Franchisee shall not use the Names and Marks or any part thereof as part of its corporate or other legal name;
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- Except as otherwise permitted in this Agreement, Franchisee shall not use the Names and Marks or any part thereof in any form on the Internet, including but not limited to, addresses, domain names, URL's, Websites, links, metatags, locators and search techniques;
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- Franchisee shall comply with our instructions in filing and maintaining the requisite trade name or fictitious name registration, and shall execute any documents deemed necessary by us or our counsel to obtain protection for the Names and Marks or to maintain their continued validity and enforceability;
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- In the event any litigation involving the Names and Marks is instituted or threatened against Franchisee, Franchisee shall promptly notify us and shall cooperate fully with us in defending such litigation. Franchisee agrees to execute any and all instruments and documents, render such assistance, and do such acts or things as may, in the sole opinion of us, reasonably be necessary or advisable to protect and maintain the interests of us or any other interested party in the Names or Marks.
Source: Item 22 — CONTRACTS (FDD page 53)
What This Means (2024 FDD)
Based on the 2024 Franchise Disclosure Document, the FDD does not explicitly state whether Burros Fries has any liability to the franchisee if a modification, discontinuance, or other action regarding Names and Marks is required. However, the document does state that the franchisee must use only the Names and Marks approved in writing by Burros Fries and in the manner authorized and permitted by them. The franchisee's right to use the Names and Marks is limited to the usages authorized under the agreement, and any unauthorized use constitutes an infringement of Burros Fries' rights and a material breach of the agreement.
Upon termination or expiration of the agreement, the franchisee must immediately and permanently cease to use the Names and Marks in any manner. The franchisee is responsible for making changes to signage, vehicles, and buildings to distinguish the business from its former appearance and from other existing Burros Fries businesses.
To fully understand the potential liabilities, a prospective Burros Fries franchisee should seek clarification from the franchisor regarding scenarios where modifications or discontinuance of Names and Marks are required. Specifically, they should inquire about any financial support or compensation that Burros Fries would provide to offset the costs associated with rebranding or changes to marketing materials. It is also important to understand the process and timeline for implementing such changes and the potential impact on the franchisee's business operations.