Where can a City Wide franchisee find the guidelines for using the Marks in advertising or promotion?
City_Wide Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
- 5.11 Franchisee's use of the Marks in any advertising or in any form of promotion will conform to the guidelines as attached as Attachment D, and as Attachment D is from time to time modified in the Operating Manual.
Franchisee will conform all advertising or promotional uses of the Marks to the guidelines set forth in Attachment C to this Agreement, and as that Attachment C is from time to time modified in the Operating Manual.
ATTACHMENT D TO THE FRANCHISE AGREEMENT MARK USE GUIDELINES
MARK USE GUIDELINES
Proper use of a mark involves some basic rules which center around ensuring that the mark is recognized by the public as an indication of single source and is distinguished from the mere name of a product or service. Although these rules will vary for several types of marks and use situations, the recommended guidelines are presented below. CITY WIDE may modify such guidelines and impose additional restrictions with respect to such Marks at its sole and absolute right.
Use the mark only as a proper adjective followed by a noun, and not as a possessive, a description (noun), a plural or a verb. Make sure that the symbol "TM" (designating trademark used to indicate source of products) or "SM" (designating service mark used to indicate source of services), or ® designating use of a federally registered Mark, as appropriate, prominently appears at least once in close association with the mark.
Make the mark stand out from the rest of the text (bolder type, ALL CAPS, italics, underline, etc.)
Avoid variations in spelling or display. By way of example, the following is proper:
CITY WIDE or CITY WIDE FACILITY SOLUTIONS
The following is not proper:
Take Franchisee's family to CITY WIDE, or CITY WIDE FACILITY SOLUTIONS. (noun, no special typography, no service mark indication)
There are numerous CITY WIDES or CITY WIDE FACILITY SOLUTIONS around the country. (noun, plural, no special typography, variation, no service mark symbol)
CITY WIDE's services (possessive, variation, no service mark symbol)
Source: Item 22 — CONTRACTS (FDD page 65)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to City Wide's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, guidelines for using the Marks in advertising and promotion are found in two places. Attachment C to the Franchise Agreement contains guidelines, which may be modified from time to time in the Operating Manual. Additionally, Attachment D to the Franchise Agreement provides mark use guidelines. City Wide retains the right to modify these guidelines and impose additional restrictions.
Attachment D includes specific instructions on how to properly use the marks, emphasizing that they should be used as proper adjectives followed by a noun. It also specifies the appropriate use of trademark and service mark symbols. The attachment provides examples of both proper and improper usage to ensure franchisees understand how to correctly represent the City Wide brand.
These guidelines aim to ensure consistent brand representation across all City Wide franchises, which is a common practice in franchising to maintain brand integrity and recognition. Franchisees must adhere to these guidelines to avoid any unauthorized or incorrect use of the Marks, which could potentially lead to legal issues or damage to the brand's reputation. Franchisees should regularly consult the Operating Manual for any updates or modifications to these guidelines.