After acquiring a competitive franchise, can Canine Dimensions franchise those businesses under names other than the Canine Dimensions Marks?
Canine_Dimensions Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
With respect to Franchisee's use of the Marks, Franchisee agrees that:
7.2.1 Franchisee will use only the Marks designated by Franchisor, and will use them only in the manner Franchisor authorizes and permits.
7.2.2 Franchisee will use the Marks only for the operation of the Franchised Business or in advertising for the Franchised Business.
Franchisor reserves the right to approve all signs, memos, stationery, business cards, advertising material, forms and all other objects and supplies using the Marks.
All advertising, publicity, point of sale materials, signs, decorations, furnishings, equipment, or other materials employing the words "Canine Dimensions" shall be in accordance with this Agreement and the Manual, and Franchisee shall obtain Franchisor's approval prior to such use.
7.2.3 Unless otherwise authorized or required by Franchisor, Franchisee will operate and advertise the Franchised Business only under the name "Canine Dimensions" without prefix or suffix.
7.2.4 During the Term and any successor agreement, Franchisee must identify itself as the owner of the Franchised Business in conjunction with any use of the Marks, including, but not limited to, on invoices, order forms, receipts, and contracts.
Source: Item 22 — CONTRACTS (FDD page 36)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Canine Dimensions's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, franchisees are explicitly required to operate and advertise solely under the name "Canine Dimensions" unless otherwise authorized or required by the franchisor. This means a franchisee cannot operate a competitive franchise under a different name while still being a Canine Dimensions franchisee, unless they receive explicit permission from Canine Dimensions.
The agreement emphasizes the importance of using the designated marks and identifying the business as a Canine Dimensions franchise. Franchisees must include a disclaimer stating that each Canine Dimensions business is independently owned and operated on all documents used with customers and associates. This includes business cards, stationery, promotional materials, websites, and real estate documents. This requirement ensures customers are aware of the franchise relationship and independent ownership.
Upon termination or expiration of the franchise agreement, the franchisee must immediately cease operating the franchised business and cannot represent themselves as a current or former Canine Dimensions franchisee. They must also discontinue using any confidential methods, procedures, or techniques associated with the Canine Dimensions system, including the marks. This obligation extends to removing all internet listings, local citations, and social media associated with the system, ensuring a clean break from the Canine Dimensions brand after the agreement ends.
These stipulations are typical in franchising to protect the brand's integrity and prevent confusion among customers. A prospective Canine Dimensions franchisee should understand that their business's identity is closely tied to the Canine Dimensions brand and system, with limited flexibility to operate under different names or systems without explicit franchisor approval.