After termination or expiration of a Degree Wellness franchise, is a franchisee allowed to identify any business they are associated with as a former Degree Wellness franchisee?

According to Degree Wellness's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, franchisees are prohibited from identifying any business they are associated with as a current or former Degree Wellness franchise or franchisee after the termination or expiration of their franchise agreement. This restriction is part of the broader obligations franchisees must adhere to upon termination or expiration, which are designed to protect Degree Wellness's brand and intellectual property.

Specifically, the FDD states that franchisees cannot directly or indirectly identify any business as a current or former Degree Wellness franchise. They are also barred from using any mark, imitation of a mark, or copyrightable works that suggest an association with Degree Wellness. This includes removing all Degree Wellness marks from uniforms or ceasing their use altogether. Franchisees must also take action to cancel any assumed name registrations related to the use of Degree Wellness marks.

These measures ensure a clean break between the franchisee and the Degree Wellness brand, preventing potential confusion or misuse of the brand's reputation. Degree Wellness even has the right to act as the franchisee's attorney to enforce these actions if the franchisee fails to comply within 10 days of termination. This comprehensive approach underscores the importance Degree Wellness places on protecting its brand identity and preventing any association with former franchisees who are no longer part of the system.