If Jersey Mikes acquires a patent or copyright, what is the franchisee's obligation?

According to Jersey Mike's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, currently, Jersey Mike's owns no rights or licenses to any pending patent applications, special patents, or copyrights related to the franchise. However, should Jersey Mike's decide to acquire a patent or copyright in the future, franchisees are obligated to use the patent or copyright as required by Jersey Mike's. The decision to acquire a patent or copyright is at the sole discretion of Jersey Mike's.

This means that if Jersey Mike's obtains a patent or copyright relevant to the franchise system (perhaps for a new method of food preparation, a specific restaurant design element, or a marketing campaign), franchisees must implement and adhere to the standards and procedures dictated by the patent or copyright. This could involve adopting new technologies, changing operational methods, or altering marketing strategies to comply with the new intellectual property protections.

While the FDD specifies the franchisee's obligation to use any patents or copyrights Jersey Mike's may acquire, it does not detail any financial responsibilities the franchisee might incur as a result. For example, it's unclear whether franchisees would need to pay additional fees for the use of patented technology or copyrighted materials. A prospective franchisee should seek clarification from Jersey Mike's regarding potential costs associated with the use of any patents or copyrights acquired during the franchise term.