For what purpose must a Chem Dry franchisee exclusively use their telephone number?
Chem_Dry Franchise · 2024 FDDAnswer from 2024 FDD Document
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- FRANCHISEE agrees refer any telephone number associated in any way with any Mark or the Business to 1-800-CHEMDRY (1-800-243-6379) (or another number specified by CDI). FRANCHISEE further acknowledges that it shall be a direct violation of this Agreement for FRANCHISEE to cause or participate in the transfer of any such telephone numbers to any person or entity other than CDI. In the event that FRANCHISEE fails to comply with any of the foregoing, FRANCHISEE hereby acknowledges that CDI has the sole rights to and interest in all such telephone numbers and directory listings associated with any Marks. FRANCHISEE therefore authorizes CDI, and hereby appoints CDI and any officer of CDI as FRANCHISEE's attorney in fact, to direct any telephone companies and listing agencies to transfer any such telephone numbers to CDI, or to another person or party at its direction, and the telephone companies and all listing agencies may accept such direction or this Agreement as conclusive of the exclusive rights of CDI in such telephone numbers and directory listings and its authority to direct their transfer.
Source: Item 23 — Receipts (FDD pages 68–264)
What This Means (2024 FDD)
According to Chem Dry's 2024 Franchise Disclosure Document, upon termination or expiration of the franchise agreement, a franchisee must forward any telephone number associated with the Chem Dry brand or business to 1-800-CHEMDRY (1-800-243-6379) or another number specified by Chem Dry. The franchisee is explicitly prohibited from transferring these telephone numbers to any other person or entity. Chem Dry retains sole rights and interest in these telephone numbers and associated directory listings. They are authorized to direct telephone companies and listing agencies to transfer the numbers.
This requirement ensures that customers trying to contact the former Chem Dry business will be redirected to Chem Dry's central contact system, maintaining brand consistency and preventing the franchisee from diverting customers to a competing business. This is a fairly standard practice in franchising to protect the brand's customer base and goodwill.
If a franchisee fails to comply, Chem Dry has the right to take control of the phone numbers. Chem Dry can act as the franchisee's attorney to direct telephone companies to transfer the numbers. This clause underscores the importance of adhering to the terms of the franchise agreement, especially concerning the use of the Chem Dry brand and associated assets after the agreement ends.