What must a Chicken Guy franchisee do with websites or electronic identifiers associated with the Proprietary Marks upon termination or expiration?
Chicken_Guy Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
If Franchisee has used the Proprietary Marks, in whole or in part, in connection with the Internet, any Website or any Electronic Identifier, whether or not authorized by Chicken Guy, then Franchisee shall, at Chicken Guy's option, cancel or assign to Chicken Guy, or Chicken Guy's designee, all of Franchisee's rights, title and interest in any Websites, Electronic Identifiers or registrations that contain or previously contained the Proprietary Marks, or any of them, in whole or in part, and Franchisee shall notify Verisign (Network Solutions), register.com, or other applicable domain name registrar and all listing agencies, upon the termination or expiration of this Agreement, of the termination of Franchisee's right to use any Electronic Identifier associated with the System, the Proprietary Marks or the Franchised Restaurant, and authorize and instruct their cancellation or transfer to Chicken Guy, as directed by Chicken Guy.
Franchisee is not entitled to any compensation from Chicken Guy if Chicken Guy exercises these rights or options.
For the avoidance of doubt, nothing in this Section 23.A.(7) shall be deemed to permit Franchisee to use the Proprietary Marks, or any of them in whole or in part, in connection with the Internet or any Electronic Identifier, except with Chicken Guy's prior written consent as provided in this Agreement.
Source: Item 22 — CONTRACTS (FDD page 50)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Chicken Guy's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, upon termination or expiration of the franchise agreement, a franchisee's obligations regarding websites and electronic identifiers associated with Chicken Guy's Proprietary Marks are specific and important. The franchisee must either cancel or assign all rights, title, and interest in any websites or electronic identifiers that contain the Proprietary Marks to Chicken Guy or its designee, at Chicken Guy's option. This includes domain names and any registrations associated with them.
Furthermore, the franchisee is required to notify Verisign (Network Solutions), register.com, or any other applicable domain name registrar and all listing agencies about the termination of their right to use any electronic identifier associated with the Chicken Guy system, Proprietary Marks, or the franchised restaurant. They must also authorize and instruct these entities to cancel or transfer the identifiers to Chicken Guy, as directed by Chicken Guy.
It is important to note that the franchisee is not entitled to any compensation from Chicken Guy if Chicken Guy chooses to exercise these rights or options. This ensures that Chicken Guy maintains control over its brand and online presence after a franchise agreement ends. The FDD also clarifies that franchisees are not permitted to use the Proprietary Marks on the internet or any electronic identifier without Chicken Guy's prior written consent during the term of the agreement.