What is the Central Bark Doggy Day Care franchisee required to do with forms after termination?
Central_Bark_Doggy_Day_Care Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
Franchisee agrees that, upon termination or expiration of this Agreement:
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- Franchisee shall close the Franchised Business for business to customers and cease to directly or indirectly sell products and services of any kind and in any manner from the Franchised Business and/or using the Marks, unless Franchisor directs Franchisee otherwise in connection with Franchisor's exercise of its options to purchase pursuant to Section XVI.E;
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- Franchisee shall immediately thereafter cease to use, by advertising or in any manner whatsoever, the Marks or any forms, manuals, slogans, signs, marks, symbols, or devices used in connection with the operation of the Franchised Business;
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- Franchisee shall cease to directly or indirectly identify itself or its business as a current or former Central Bark Facility or as one of Franchisor's former franchisees (except in connection with other Central Bark Facilities Franchisee operates in compliance with the terms of a valid franchise agreement with Franchisor) and Franchisee shall take such action as shall be necessary to change Franchisee's sole proprietorship/corporate/limited liability company/partnership name or cancel any assumed name or equivalent registration which contains the name "CENTRAL BARK" or any other Mark of Franchisor. If Franchisee fails or refuses to do so, Franchisor may, in Franchisee's name and on Franchisee's behalf and, at Franchisee's expense, execute any and all documents necessary to cause discontinuance of Franchisee's use of the name "CENTRAL BARK", or any related name used hereunder, and Franchisor is hereby irrevocably appointed by Franchisee as Franchisee's attorney-in-fact to do so;
Source: Item 23 — Receipts (FDD pages 53–106)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Central Bark Doggy Day Care's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, upon termination or expiration of the franchise agreement, the franchisee must adhere to several key stipulations regarding the use of the brand's intellectual property and business operations. Specifically, the franchisee is required to cease operations of the Central Bark Doggy Day Care business and discontinue selling any related products or services from the location, unless explicitly directed otherwise by Central Bark Doggy Day Care in connection with the franchisor's option to purchase the business. This ensures a clean break and prevents any potential confusion or misuse of the brand.
Furthermore, the franchisee must immediately stop using all trademarks, service marks, and any other identifying materials associated with Central Bark Doggy Day Care. This includes refraining from using any forms, manuals, slogans, signs, marks, symbols, or devices connected to the operation of the franchised business. This provision is crucial for protecting the brand's identity and preventing unauthorized use of its intellectual property after the franchise agreement ends.
Finally, the franchisee is prohibited from identifying themselves or their business as a current or former Central Bark Doggy Day Care location or franchisee. They must also take necessary actions to change their business name or cancel any registrations that include the name "CENTRAL BARK" or any other trademark of the franchisor. If the franchisee fails to comply, Central Bark Doggy Day Care is authorized to act on the franchisee's behalf to ensure these changes are made, with all associated expenses borne by the franchisee. This underscores the importance of completely disassociating from the brand to avoid any potential legal or brand-related issues after termination.