What actions must a Circle K licensee take immediately upon termination of the agreement?
Circle_K Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
- Return of Operations Manual; Other Post-Termination Obligations. Beginning on the
Termination Date of this Agreement, Franchisee shall immediately:
(a) Cease any and all use of the Circle K trademarks and business system;
- (b) Return to Franchisor the Circle K Operating Manual and any other manuals, advertising materials, and any other proprietary information that Franchisor has provided to Franchisee for the operation of the Store;
- (c) Cease any and all use of, and return to Franchisor, the "Software," as defined in the Electronic Point of Sale and Software Agreement, and shall otherwise comply with Franchisee's post-term obligations as set forth in said Agreement;
- (d) Refrain from holding itself out as a present or former Circle K Franchisee; and,
- (e) Otherwise comply with Franchisee's post-term obligations as set forth in Section 14.7 of the Franchise Agreement.
Source: Item 23 — RECEIPTS (FDD pages 100–359)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to the 2025 Circle K Franchise Disclosure Document, upon termination of the franchise agreement, a franchisee must take several immediate actions. These include ceasing all use of Circle K trademarks and the Circle K business system. The franchisee is also required to return the Circle K Operating Manual, along with any other manuals, advertising materials, and proprietary information provided by Circle K for operating the store.
Additionally, the franchisee must stop using and return the "Software" as defined in the Electronic Point of Sale and Software Agreement, and comply with all post-term obligations outlined in that agreement. The franchisee must also refrain from presenting themselves as a current or former Circle K franchisee. Finally, the franchisee is obligated to comply with all post-term obligations as detailed in Section 14.7 of the Franchise Agreement.
These stipulations are typical in franchise agreements to protect the brand's intellectual property and reputation. Franchisees should carefully review Section 14.7 of the Franchise Agreement and the Electronic Point of Sale and Software Agreement to fully understand their post-termination obligations. Failure to comply with these requirements could result in legal action from Circle K.