After termination or expiration of the City Publications franchise agreement, can the franchisee represent themselves as a former franchisee?
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 FDD, the provided excerpts do not explicitly address whether a franchisee can represent themselves as a former City Publications franchisee after the termination or expiration of the franchise agreement. However, the FDD does state that the franchisee must stop using the City Publications name and marks. This suggests that representing oneself as a current franchisee would be prohibited.
Item 23 of the City Publications Franchise Agreement outlines several obligations of the franchisee upon termination or expiration, including relinquishing the franchised business telephone number and transferring any assumed names containing "CITY PUBLICATIONS". The agreement also includes restrictions on engaging in competitive businesses during the term of the agreement and for a period of two years after termination or expiration. These restrictions could potentially impact a former franchisee's ability to represent themselves in a way that implies an ongoing association with City Publications.
To fully understand the restrictions on representing oneself as a former franchisee, a prospective franchisee should seek clarification from City Publications regarding their specific policies on this matter. It would be prudent to inquire about any guidelines or limitations on using the City Publications name or brand in any post-termination marketing or advertising activities. Consulting with an attorney experienced in franchise law is also recommended to ensure full compliance with all applicable legal and contractual obligations.