What are the Circle K franchisee's obligations regarding signs at the franchised location?
Circle_K Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
- 7.5 Signs. Franchisee will display at the Franchised Location signs, advertising, slogans, and symbols as Franchisor may prescribe from time to time, subject to any Lease and local zoning restrictions. Franchisee will pay for permitting and exterior signage at the Franchised Location and will be responsible for the installation and maintenance of all signs. Any signage may not be used except as permitted hereunder and may not be altered or removed by Franchisee except with Franchisor's prior written consent or upon termination of this Agreement.
- 4.3 Franchisee's Business Name.
Franchisee will not use any of the Marks or anything similar thereto, in or as part of its corporate, sole proprietorship, partnership or other legal entity name.
Franchisee will at all times hold itself out to the public as an independent contractor operating the Store pursuant to a license from Franchisor.
Whenever practical, Franchisee will clearly indicate on its business checks, stationery, purchase orders, business cards, invoices, receipts, advertising and promotional materials, and other written materials that Franchisee is a "Circle K®" franchisee.
Franchisee will display signs at the Franchised Location that are clearly visible to the general public indicating that the Store is independently owned and operated as a franchised Circle K Store.
- 4.4 Substitution of Marks.
Franchisor has the right to modify, or discontinue the use of, any Marks or to substitute different trade names, service marks, trademarks, logos, designs, and commercial symbols as the Marks used to identify the Store or in connection with the operation of the Store.
Subject to Section 4.5, upon Franchisor's written instructions, Franchisee will, at its expense, and within the time period specified by Franchisor, make all modifications to the Marks displayed or otherwise used at the Franchised Location as required by Franchisor, and if so directed by Franchisor, Franchisee will cease using all discontinued Marks and commence using the "new" Marks.
Source: Item 22 — CONTRACTS (FDD page 100)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Circle K's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, franchisees are required to display specific signs at their franchised locations. Franchisees must display signs, advertising, slogans, and symbols as Circle K prescribes, provided that these are subject to any lease and local zoning restrictions. The franchisee is responsible for paying for permitting and exterior signage at the location, as well as the installation and maintenance of all signs.
Circle K retains control over the signage, as franchisees cannot use any signage except as permitted by the agreement. Altering or removing signage is prohibited without Circle K's prior written consent or upon the termination of the franchise agreement. This ensures that all Circle K locations maintain a consistent brand image and adhere to the company's standards.
In addition to the above, franchisees must display signs that are clearly visible to the general public indicating that the store is independently owned and operated as a franchised Circle K store. This requirement aims to inform customers about the store's ownership structure while still associating it with the Circle K brand. Circle K also has the right to modify or discontinue the use of any marks or substitute different trade names, service marks, trademarks, logos, designs, and commercial symbols. Franchisees are obligated to make all modifications to the marks displayed or otherwise used at the franchised location as required by Circle K, at their own expense, and within the specified time period. If directed by Circle K, franchisees must cease using all discontinued marks and commence using the new marks.