What are the Canine Dimensions franchisee's obligations regarding de-identification upon termination or expiration?
Canine_Dimensions Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
Upon termination or expiration of this Agreement, all rights granted under this Agreement to Franchisee shall immediately terminate. Upon such termination or expiration, Franchisee must comply with the following procedures:
15.1 De-identification
- 15.1.1 Franchisee must immediately cease to operate the Franchised Business and shall not thereafter, directly or indirectly, represent to the public that the Franchise is a Canine Dimensions Franchise or hold itself out as a present or former franchisee of Franchisor. Franchisee must comply with the covenants contained in Article 16.
- 15.1.2 Franchisee must immediately and permanently cease to use, in any manner whatsoever, any confidential methods, procedures and techniques associated with the System; the Mark "Canine Dimensions", and all other Marks and distinctive forms, slogans, signs, symbols, monograms and devices associated with the System, and shall entirely remove all Internet listings, local citations and social media associated with the System. In particular, Franchisee must cease to use, without limitation, all signs, advertising materials, displays, stationery, forms, and any other articles or clothing which display the Marks.
- 15.1.3 Franchisee must take such action as may be necessary to cancel any assumed name or equivalent registration that contains the mark "Canine Dimensions" or any other service mark or trademark of Franchisor, and Franchisee must furnish Franchisor with proof of compliance with this obligation within thirty (30) days after termination or expiration of this Agreement.
- 15.1.4 Immediately upon termination or expiration of this Agreement, Franchisee must make such modifications or alterations to the Approved Location and Vehicles operated hereunder and shall make such specific additional changes thereto as Franchisor may reasonably request.
- 15.1.5 Franchisee must never use any reproduction, counterfeit, copy, or colorable imitation of the Marks, either in connection with such other business or the promotion thereof, which is likely to cause confusion, mistake, or deception, or which is likely to dilute Franchisor's rights in and to the Marks. Further, must never use any designation of origin or description or representation that falsely suggests or represents an association or connection with Franchisor.
- 15.1.6 Franchisee must notify the telephone company and all listing agencies of the termination or expiration of Franchisee's right to use any telephone number and any classified or other telephone directory listings associated with the Marks and shall authorize the transfer of same to
Source: Item 22 — CONTRACTS (FDD page 36)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Canine Dimensions' 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, franchisees have specific obligations regarding de-identification upon termination or expiration of their franchise agreement. These obligations are designed to ensure that the franchisee no longer represents themselves as being associated with the Canine Dimensions brand and system.
Specifically, the franchisee must immediately stop operating the Franchised Business and cannot represent themselves as a current or former Canine Dimensions franchisee. They must also cease using any confidential methods, procedures, or techniques associated with the Canine Dimensions system, including the trademarked name and all other associated marks, slogans, signs, symbols, and devices. This includes removing all internet listings, local citations, and social media content related to the Canine Dimensions system. Franchisees must discontinue using all signs, advertising materials, displays, stationery, forms, and any other items displaying the Canine Dimensions marks.
Furthermore, the franchisee is required to cancel any assumed name registrations that include the "Canine Dimensions" mark or any other service mark or trademark belonging to Canine Dimensions. Proof of compliance with this cancellation must be provided to Canine Dimensions within 30 days of termination or expiration. The franchisee must also modify or alter the Approved Location and any vehicles used in the business as reasonably requested by Canine Dimensions. Franchisees are prohibited from using any reproductions or imitations of the Canine Dimensions marks that could cause confusion or dilute the franchisor's rights to those marks, and they cannot falsely suggest any association with Canine Dimensions.
Finally, the franchisee must notify the telephone company and all listing agencies about the termination or expiration of their right to use any telephone numbers and directory listings associated with the Canine Dimensions marks, and they must authorize the transfer of these to Canine Dimensions. These de-identification requirements are fairly standard in franchising to protect the brand's integrity and prevent consumer confusion after a franchise relationship ends.