After the termination of the Jersey Mikes franchise agreement, what is a franchisee prohibited from doing regarding representing themselves to the public?

According to the 2025 Jersey Mikes Franchise Disclosure Document, after the termination or expiration of the franchise agreement, a franchisee must immediately cease operating the franchised restaurant under the agreement, unless Jersey Mikes directs otherwise in connection with exercising its option to purchase the restaurant. The franchisee is prohibited from directly or indirectly representing to the public or holding themselves out as a present or former franchisee of Jersey Mikes. This means a franchisee cannot give the impression that they are still affiliated with the Jersey Mikes brand after the agreement ends.

This restriction protects Jersey Mikes' brand integrity and prevents confusion among customers. A former franchisee cannot leverage the brand's reputation or goodwill to benefit their new, independent venture. This is a standard clause in most franchise agreements to ensure consistent brand representation and prevent unfair competition.

Furthermore, the franchisee must immediately and permanently cease using any confidential information, the Marks (trade names, service marks, and trademarks), any Contact Identifiers, or any Online Presence associated with Jersey Mikes. This includes refraining from using signs, advertising materials, stationery, forms, and other articles that display the Marks associated with the Jersey Mikes system. Jersey Mikes also has the right to deactivate the franchisee's POS system, further ensuring the separation of the former franchisee from the brand's operational infrastructure.