Besides owning and operating other Hydrodog businesses, under what circumstances can a franchisee identify themselves as a current or former Hydrodog franchisee?
Hydrodog Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
17. RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS UPON TERMINATION
17.1 Payment of Amounts Owed To Us. You agree to pay us within fifteen (15) days after the effective date of termination or expiration of this Agreement, or on such later date that we determine amounts are due to us, all amounts due for Royalties, Marketing Fund Fees, contributions, amounts owed for purchases from us, interest due on any of the foregoing, and any and all other amounts owed to us which are then unpaid.
17.2 Marks. Upon the termination or expiration of this Agreement:
- (a) you may not directly or indirectly at any time or in any manner (except with respect to other HydroDog Businesses you own and operate) identify yourself or any business as a current or former HydroDog Business, or as one of our licensees or franchisees, use any Mark, any colorable imitation of a Mark or other indicia of a HydroDog Business in any manner or for any purpose or utilize for any purpose any trade name, trade or service mark or other commercial symbol that indicates or suggests a connection or association with us;
- (b) you agree to take immediate action as may be required to cancel all fictitious or assumed name or equivalent registrations relating to your use of any Mark;
- (c) if we do not have or do not exercise an option to purchase your HydroDog Business pursuant to this Agreement, you agree to deliver to us within thirty (30) days after, as applicable, the effective date of expiration of this Agreement or the Notification Date all signs, sign-faces, sign-cabinets, marketing materials, forms and other materials containing any Mark or otherwise identifying or relating to a HydroDog Business and allow us, without liability to you or third parties, to remove all such items from your HydroDog Business;
- (d) if we do not have or do not exercise an option to purchase your HydroDog Business pursuant to this Agreement, you agree that after the effective date of expiration of this Agreement or the Notification Date (whichever is applicable), you will promptly and at your own expense make such alterations we specify to distinguish your HydroDog Business clearly from its former appearance and from other the HydroDog Businesses so as to prevent confusion by the public;
Source: Item 23 — RECEIPTS (FDD pages 43–166)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Hydrodog's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, a franchisee is generally prohibited from identifying themselves or any business as a current or former Hydrodog business after the termination or expiration of the franchise agreement. This restriction extends to using any Hydrodog marks, imitations of marks, or other symbols that suggest a past or present connection with Hydrodog. The only exception to this rule is for franchisees who own and operate other Hydrodog businesses.
This restriction is in place to protect Hydrodog's brand and prevent confusion among customers. After the franchise agreement ends, the franchisee no longer has the right to use Hydrodog's intellectual property or represent themselves as part of the Hydrodog system. Allowing former franchisees to continue using the Hydrodog name or logo could mislead customers into thinking they are still affiliated with the franchise, which could damage Hydrodog's reputation if the former franchisee's standards do not align with Hydrodog's current standards.
For a prospective franchisee, this means that upon termination or expiration of the franchise agreement, they must immediately cease all use of Hydrodog's branding and must not represent themselves as being associated with Hydrodog in any way, unless they continue to operate other Hydrodog businesses. This includes removing signs, marketing materials, and any other items that identify the business as a Hydrodog franchise. Failure to comply with these restrictions could result in legal action from Hydrodog to protect its brand and intellectual property.