What action must a City Publications franchisee take regarding cancellation or assignment of rights after termination, and who has the option to receive the assignment?
City_Publications Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
any assumed name or equivalent registration filed with state, city or county authorities which contains the name "CITY PUBLICATIONS" or any of the Marks, and Franchisee shall furnish Franchisor with evidence satisfactory to Franchisor of compliance with this obligation within thirty (30) days after termination or expiration of this Agreement.
Franchisee shall relinquish or transfer to Franchisor or its designee, at Franchisor's discretion, the Franchised Business telephone number and notify the telephone service provider and all listing agencies of the termination or expiration of Franchisee's rights to use any telephone number or any telephone directory listings associated with the "CITY PUBLICATIONS" name or any of the Marks and shall authorize transfer of the same to Franchisor or at Franchisor's direction.
Franchisor shall have the right to enter any premises leased for the Franchised Business.
Additionally, upon demand by Franchisor, Franchisee shall assign (or, if an assignment is prohibited, sublease for the full remaining term and on the same terms and conditions as Franchisee's lease) its interest in the lease then in effect for the premises of the Franchised Business to Franchisor, and Franchisee shall furnish Franchisor with evidence satisfactory to Franchisor of compliance with this obligation within thirty (30) days after termination or expiration of this Agreement.
Franchisor shall have the right to make rental and other payments directly to the landlord or other party to whom such payment is ultimately due.
Source: Item 23 — RECEIPT (FDD pages 39–129)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to City Publications' 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, after termination or expiration of the franchise agreement, a franchisee has several obligations regarding cancellation or assignment of rights. The franchisee must cancel any assumed name or equivalent registration filed with state, city, or county authorities that contains the name "CITY PUBLICATIONS" or any of the Marks. The franchisee must provide City Publications with satisfactory evidence of compliance within 30 days of termination or expiration.
The franchisee is also required to relinquish or transfer the Franchised Business telephone number to City Publications or its designee, at City Publications' discretion. The franchisee must notify the telephone service provider and all listing agencies of the termination or expiration of their rights to use any telephone number or telephone directory listings associated with the "CITY PUBLICATIONS" name or any of the Marks, and authorize the transfer of the same to City Publications or at City Publications' direction.
Additionally, upon demand by City Publications, the franchisee must assign their interest in the lease for the premises of the Franchised Business to City Publications. If an assignment is prohibited, the franchisee must sublease the property to City Publications for the full remaining term and on the same terms and conditions as the franchisee's lease. The franchisee must furnish City Publications with evidence satisfactory to City Publications of compliance with this obligation within 30 days after termination or expiration of the Agreement. City Publications has the right to make rental and other payments directly to the landlord or other party to whom such payment is ultimately due.