Upon expiration or termination of the Franchise Agreement, what rights does Crave have regarding the franchisee's telephone numbers, listings, and online presence related to the Crave Franchised Business?
Crave Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
You, at our option, shall assign to us all rights to the telephone numbers of the Franchised Business and any related internet pages trademark listing or other business listings and execute all forms and documents required by us and any telephone company at any time to transfer such service and numbers to us. Further, you shall assign to us all internet listings, domain names, internet accounts, advertising on the internet or world wide web, websites, listings with search engines, email addresses or any other similar listing or usage related to the Franchised Business. The forms we may require you to execute include, but are not limited to, those included in Attachment 6 hereto. Notwithstanding any forms and documents which may have been executed under Section 7.9, you hereby appoint us as your true and lawful agent and attorney-in-fact with full power and authority, for the sole purpose of taking such action as is necessary to complete such assignment. This power of attorney shall survive the expiration or termination of this Agreement. You shall thereafter use different telephone numbers, email addresses or other listings or usages at or in connection with any subsequent business conducted by you.
Source: Item 23 — RECEIPTS (FDD pages 63–253)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Crave's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, upon termination or expiration of the Franchise Agreement, Crave has the option to have the franchisee assign to them all rights to the telephone numbers of the Franchised Business, any related internet pages, trademark listings, or other business listings. This includes executing all necessary forms and documents required by Crave and any telephone company to transfer the service and numbers to them.
Furthermore, the franchisee must assign to Crave all internet listings, domain names, internet accounts, advertising on the internet or world wide web, websites, listings with search engines, email addresses, or any other similar listing or usage related to the Franchised Business. Crave is appointed as the franchisee's agent and attorney-in-fact to complete such assignments, and this power of attorney survives the termination or expiration of the agreement.
After the agreement ends, the franchisee is required to use different telephone numbers, email addresses, or other listings or usages in connection with any subsequent business they conduct. This ensures that the franchisee cannot continue to benefit from the Crave brand's established presence and goodwill after the franchise relationship has ended. This is a fairly standard practice in franchising, as it protects the brand's identity and prevents confusion among customers.