What is the franchisee's responsibility regarding the 'Licensed Marks' when operating a C3 Wellness Spa?
C3_Wellness_Spa Franchise · 2024 FDDAnswer from 2024 FDD Document
ranchisee may only offer and sell, as applicable, the Approved Spa Products and Services from Franchisee's Spa Location in accordance with the requirements set forth in the Operations Manual and/or the Spa Facility and Management Services from Franchisee's Spa Location in accordance with the requirements set forth in the Operations Manual;
- (7) The Spa operated at Franchisee's Spa Facility shall only offer the Approved Spa Products and Services under the Licensed Marks, exclusively utilizing the System Supplies and in compliance with Franchisor's requirements and specifications as set forth in the Operations Manual;
- (8) Franchisor, in Franchisor's Reasonable Business Judgment and for any reason or no reason at all, may prohibit Franchisee from soliciting Spa customers located outside Franchisee's Designated Territory;
- (9) Except as otherwise provided in this Agreement including, but not limited to, the Reserved Rights, provided that, at all times Franchisee is and remains in compliance with all of the terms and provisions of this Agreement, during the Term of this Agreement, neither Franchisor nor any affiliate of Franchisor will establish or operate, or grant a franchise to any third party to establish or operate, a Spa Location Franchise using the Licensed Marks and System at a Spa Location that is located within Franchisee's Designated Territory (provided that a Designated Territory has been designated and approved by Franchisor in accordance with the terms of this Agreement). Notwithstanding the foregoing, Franchisee agrees that Franchisee may face competition from other C3 Wellness, Spa Location Franchises and other System franchisees with Spa locations and/or designated territories that are located adjacent to and/or within a close proximity to Franchisee's Spa Location and/or Designated Territory. Franchisee agrees that although Franchisor may disapprove of any marketing medium that is distributed and/or reaches outside of Franchisee's Designated Territory, that Franchisor is not obligated to do so and that Franchisee may face competition from other Spas, Spa Location Franchises and System franchisees that market and promote their Spa(s) through internet, mail, public relations, and other marketing activities and mediums that are distributed to or within Franchisee's Designated Territory. Franchisee agrees that
Franchisee shall not receive any compensation whatsoever if Franchisor or another System franchisee solicits customers from within Franchisee's Designated Territory; and
(10) The foregoing rights granted in this Article 2.A. are subject to and contingent upon each and every, term and condition of this Agreement, the rights of any prior user, and are non-exclusive and subordinate to the Reserved Rights.
2.B. TERM
Unless previously terminated pursuant to the terms of this Agreement, the term of this Agreement will be for a period of 10 consecutive years, commencing from the Effective Date (the "Term").
2.C. GUARANTEES, CONFIDENTIALITY AND RESTRICTIVE COVENANTS
If Franchisee is, at any time, a Corporate Entity, Franchisee agrees that each Owner and their respective Spouse shall execute, sign and deliver to Franchisor the Franchise Owner and Spouse Agreement and Guaranty attached to this Agreement as Exhibit 1 and, in doing so, among other things, will individually, jointly, and severally, guarantee Franchisee's obligations under this Agreement and personally bind themselves to confidentiality and non-competition covenants and restrictions.
2.D. FRANCHISOR'S RESERVED RIGHTS
Franchisor on behalf of itself, its affiliates and its assigns retains all rights, on any and all terms and conditions that Franchisor deems advisable and without any compensation or consideration to Franchisee to engage in the following activities (the "Reserved Rights"): (a) operate and grant to others the right to operate a Franchised Business and/or other Spas and/or Spa Location Franchises using the System and Licensed Marks at locations outside Franchisee's Designated Territory; (b) acquire or merge with or otherwise affiliate with one or more businesses of any kind, including businesses that are Competitive Businesses, and after such acquisition, merger or affiliation to own and operate and to franchise or license others to own and operate and to continue to own and operate such businesses, including Competitive Businesses (but not using the Licensed Marks) within Franchisee's Designated Territory;
Source: Item 23 — RECEIPTS (FDD pages 59–293)
What This Means (2024 FDD)
According to the 2024 C3 Wellness Spa Franchise Disclosure Document, the franchisee's responsibility regarding the Licensed Marks is to only offer approved spa products and services under those marks. The franchisee must exclusively utilize the system supplies and comply with C3 Wellness Spa's requirements and specifications as outlined in the operations manual. The Licensed Marks include the "C3 Wellness" trademark, the C3 Wellness logo, trade dress, and other trade names, service marks, trademarks, logos, slogans, and designs authorized by C3 Wellness Spa. These marks are used to identify spa location franchises and approved spa products and services. However, C3 Wellness Spa retains the right to modify, replace, or discontinue these marks based on their reasonable business judgment.
This means that a C3 Wellness Spa franchisee must adhere strictly to the brand's standards and only use approved products and services under the established trademarks and logos. This ensures consistency across all franchise locations and helps maintain brand recognition and customer trust. The franchisee does not have the freedom to use unauthorized products or alter the branding without the franchisor's consent.
However, C3 Wellness Spa retains the right to change the Licensed Marks, which could require the franchisee to update signage, marketing materials, and other branded items. While these changes are to be made in C3 Wellness Spa's reasonable business judgment, franchisees should be aware of the potential costs associated with rebranding or updating their spa to reflect these changes. Franchisees should seek clarification regarding the frequency and potential costs associated with such changes during their due diligence.
Furthermore, the franchisee may face competition from other C3 Wellness Spa locations and other system franchisees, even those located in close proximity. While C3 Wellness Spa may disapprove of marketing mediums that reach outside of a franchisee's designated territory, they are not obligated to do so. This means that franchisees may encounter competition from other spas marketing through various channels, including the internet and mail, within their own designated territory.