During the term of the City Publications franchise agreement, how must the Franchisee present themselves to the public?
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.
Source: Item 23 — RECEIPT (FDD pages 39–129)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
Based on the 2025 City Publications Franchise Disclosure Document, the franchisee must adhere to specific guidelines regarding the use of the City Publications name and marks. Specifically, any assumed name or equivalent registration filed with state, city, or county authorities must contain the name "CITY PUBLICATIONS" or any of the Marks. Upon termination or expiration of the franchise agreement, the franchisee is obligated to furnish City Publications with evidence of compliance within 30 days. This ensures that the franchisee is properly identified as part of the City Publications system and prevents unauthorized use of the brand's identity.
Furthermore, upon termination or expiration of the franchise agreement, the franchisee must relinquish or transfer the franchised business telephone number to City Publications or its designee. They must also notify the telephone service provider and all listing agencies of the termination of their rights to use any telephone number or directory listings associated with the "CITY PUBLICATIONS" name or marks. This provision allows City Publications to maintain control over its branding and customer communications, ensuring a consistent public image.
These requirements are typical in franchising, as franchisors need to protect their brand identity and goodwill. By controlling the use of the City Publications name, marks, and telephone numbers, the company can ensure that customers continue to associate these assets with the quality and service they expect from the brand. This also prevents former franchisees from unfairly competing or misrepresenting themselves as part of the City Publications system after their agreement has ended.