What is the Cinnaholic franchisee's responsibility regarding the Bakery's interior and exterior signs?
Cinnaholic Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
- (ix) Prominently display at the Bakery and the Franchised Site signs using the name "CINNAHOLIC®," and/or other signs, of such nature, form, color, number, location and size, and containing such material as Franchisor may from time to time reasonably direct or approve in writing; and not display in the Bakery or on the Franchised Site or elsewhere any sign or advertising media of any kind to which Franchisor reasonably objects.
Franchisor or its authorized representatives may at any time during normal business hours enter the Bakery or the Franchised Site and remove any objectionable signs or advertising media.
(iii) if Franchisee retains possession of the Franchised Site, at Franchisee's expense, make such reasonable modifications to the exterior and interior décor of the Bakery and the Franchised Site as Franchisor requires to eliminate its identification as a CINNAHOLIC® Bakery and to avoid violation of the non-compete provision;
(xvii) Without limiting any of Franchisee's other obligations under this Agreement, at the request of Franchisor, but not more often than once every 5 years, unless sooner required by Franchisee's lease, Franchisee shall refurbish the premises of the Bakery at its expense, to conform to the Bakery, trade dress, color schemes and presentation of the Marks in a manner consistent with the thencurrent image for new Bakeries ("Refurbishments").
Refurbishments may include structural changes, installation of new equipment and signs, remodeling, redecoration and modifications to existing improvements.
- (xiv) Make no physical changes from blueprint specifications or approved remodeling plans in connection with the premises constituting the Bakery on the Franchised Site, or the design thereof, or any of the materials used therein, or their colors, without the express written approval of Franchisor, except that Franchisee will, upon request of the Franchisor, make such reasonable alterations to the Bakery or premises as may be necessary to conform to the then-current marketing and operating standards and specifications of CINNAHOLIC®.
Upon the termination or expiration of this Agreement, whether by reason of lapse of time, default in performance, abandonment of the Bakery or other cause or contingency, Franchisee shall:
- (ii) discontinue at the Franchised Site all use of the Marks, and the use of any and all signs, products, paper goods and other items bearing the Marks.
Any signs containing the Marks which Franchisee is unable to remove within one day of the termination or expiration of this Agreement shall be completely covered by Franchisee until the time of their removal which shall be within 10 days of termination or expiration of this Agreement;
Source: Item 22 — CONTRACTS (FDD pages 61–62)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Cinnaholic's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, franchisees must prominently display signs using the Cinnaholic name and other signs of a nature, form, color, number, location, and size that Cinnaholic directs or approves in writing. Franchisees cannot display any sign or advertising that Cinnaholic reasonably objects to. Cinnaholic or its representatives can enter the bakery during business hours to remove objectionable signs or advertising.
Upon termination or expiration of the franchise agreement, franchisees must discontinue all use of Cinnaholic's marks and any signs, products, or paper goods bearing those marks. Franchisees must cover any signs containing Cinnaholic's marks that they cannot remove within one day of termination or expiration, and they must remove the signs within 10 days. Franchisees must also modify the bakery's interior and exterior to eliminate its identification as a Cinnaholic bakery.
Additionally, franchisees are required to refurbish the bakery at their own expense, typically no more than once every 5 years unless required sooner by their lease, to conform to the current image for new Cinnaholic bakeries. These refurbishments may include installing new equipment and signs, remodeling, redecoration, and modifications to existing improvements. Franchisees must also make no physical changes to the premises without Cinnaholic's written approval, except for reasonable alterations necessary to conform to Cinnaholic's current marketing and operating standards.