What actions must a Checkers franchisee take regarding their website and domain name upon termination or expiration of the franchise agreement?
Checkers Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
- (f) immediately discontinue any mode of communications on the Internet directly or indirectly relating to your Franchised Restaurant, including any Web sites or pages associated with your Franchised Restaurant, and immediately take all steps required by us to transfer any domain name associated with your Franchised Restaurant to us (such as executing a Registrant Name Change Agreement with the applicable Registrar). You irrevocably appoint the person who is then our president as your duly authorized agent and attorney-in-fact to execute all instruments and take all steps to transfer such domain names;
Source: Item 22 — CONTRACTS (FDD pages 91–92)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Checkers's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, upon termination or expiration of the franchise agreement, a franchisee must immediately discontinue any mode of communication on the internet directly or indirectly relating to the franchised restaurant. This includes any websites or pages associated with the restaurant.
Furthermore, the franchisee is required to take all steps necessary to transfer any domain name associated with the franchised restaurant to Checkers. This may involve executing a Registrant Name Change Agreement with the applicable Registrar. To ensure compliance, the franchisee irrevocably appoints the then-current president of Checkers as their authorized agent and attorney-in-fact to execute all instruments and take all necessary steps to transfer the domain names.
These stipulations ensure that Checkers maintains control over its brand and online presence, preventing any potential misuse or confusion after a franchise agreement ends. It is a fairly standard practice in franchising to ensure brand consistency and protect intellectual property.