What is the franchisee required to do with telephone and facsimile numbers upon termination or expiration of the City Publications agreement?

According to City Publications' 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, upon termination or expiration of the franchise agreement, the franchisee is required to relinquish or transfer the franchised business telephone number to City Publications or its designee, at City Publications' discretion. The franchisee must also notify the telephone service provider and all listing agencies about 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. Furthermore, the franchisee is obligated to authorize the transfer of the same to City Publications or at City Publications' direction.

This requirement ensures that City Publications maintains control over its brand identity and customer communications even after a franchise agreement ends. By transferring the telephone number and updating listings, City Publications can seamlessly redirect customer inquiries to another franchisee or to a company-owned operation, preserving business continuity and preventing confusion among customers.

For a prospective franchisee, this means that upon exiting the City Publications system, they will lose the right to use the business's phone number and any associated listings. This is a standard practice in franchising to protect the brand and customer relationships. Franchisees should factor this into their business planning, particularly when considering the potential resale value of their franchise or the transition to a new business venture after the franchise term.