Does Chocolate Fish Franchising have specific procedures for de-identification that the franchisee must follow?
Chocolate_Fish_Coffee Franchise · 2024 FDDAnswer from 2024 FDD Document
- 14.4 Remove Identification. Within 30 days after termination or expiration, Franchisee shall at its own expense "de-identify" the Location so that it no longer contains the Marks, signage, or any trade dress of a Chocolate Fish Coffee business, to the reasonable satisfaction of Chocolate Fish Franchising.
Franchisee shall comply with any reasonable instructions and procedures of Chocolate Fish Franchising for de-identification.
If Franchisee fails to do so within 30 days after this Agreement expires or is terminated, Chocolate Fish Franchising may enter the Location to remove the Marks and de-identify the Location.
In this event, Chocolate Fish Franchising will not be charged with trespass nor be accountable or required to pay for any assets removed or altered, or for any damage caused by Chocolate Fish Franchising.
Source: Item 23 — RECEIPTS (FDD pages 41–119)
What This Means (2024 FDD)
According to the 2024 Chocolate Fish Coffee Franchise Disclosure Document, franchisees are required to "de-identify" their location within 30 days of termination or expiration of the franchise agreement. This involves removing all Chocolate Fish Coffee marks, signage, and trade dress to the reasonable satisfaction of Chocolate Fish Franchising.
Chocolate Fish Coffee specifies that franchisees must comply with any reasonable instructions and procedures for de-identification. If a franchisee fails to de-identify the location within the 30-day period, Chocolate Fish Franchising has the right to enter the location and remove the marks and de-identify the location themselves.
In the event that Chocolate Fish Coffee performs the de-identification, the franchisee will not be compensated for any assets removed or altered, nor for any damages caused by Chocolate Fish Coffee during the process. This clause emphasizes the importance of franchisees adhering to the de-identification procedures and timeline set forth by Chocolate Fish Coffee to avoid potential costs and loss of control over the de-identification process.