Is a Caring Transitions franchisee required to maintain a dedicated telephone line for the franchised business?
Caring_Transitions Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
- (h) Franchisee shall maintain at least one dedicated telephone line for use exclusively by the franchised business, which must be answered by an employee of Franchisee or by an answering service approved by Franchisor during all hours designated by Franchisor from timeto-time.
Each telephone line shall have all service features as required by Franchisor in the Manual or otherwise communicated to Franchisee from time to time.
Franchisor has the right, in its business judgment, to require that Franchisee increase the number of telephone lines to accommodate Franchisee's call volume or that Franchisee use a designated call center.
All lines shall be operational and functional prior to opening the franchised business and thereafter at all times during the term of this agreement.
The main telephone number for the franchised business must be listed in a white-pages telephone directory under the business name specified by Franchisor and a location within Franchisee's Territory.
Franchisor has the right, but is not obligated, to provide a telephone number for Franchisee's use and Franchisee shall reimburse Franchisor for the cost thereof or shall pay the service provider directly, at Franchisor's option.
If Franchisor provides a telephone number for Franchisee's use, Franchisee shall use only the
Source: Item 20 — OUTLETS AND FRANCHISEE INFORMATION (FDD pages 41–49)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Caring Transitions' 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, franchisees are required to maintain at least one dedicated telephone line exclusively for the use of the franchised business. This line must be answered by a Caring Transitions employee or an answering service approved by the franchisor during all hours designated by the franchisor. The telephone line must have all service features required by Caring Transitions, as specified in the manual or otherwise communicated to the franchisee.
This requirement ensures that customers and potential clients can always reach the franchisee during business hours and receive prompt and professional service. The franchisor retains the right to mandate an increase in the number of telephone lines to accommodate call volume or require the franchisee to use a designated call center. All lines must be operational and functional before the business opens and remain so throughout the term of the franchise agreement.
The main telephone number for the Caring Transitions franchise must be listed in a white-pages telephone directory under the business name specified by the franchisor and a location within the franchisee's territory. The franchisor has the option to provide a telephone number for the franchisee's use, in which case the franchisee will either reimburse the franchisor for the cost or pay the service provider directly, depending on the franchisor's preference. If the franchisor provides the number, the franchisee is obligated to use only that number.