What must a Ledgers franchisee do with fictitious name filings upon termination or expiration of the Franchise Agreement?
Ledgers Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
Upon termination or expiration of this Agreement, including a sale of the Franchise Business, you will:
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- Cease to operate the Franchised Business;
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- Discontinue using any of our "Marks";
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- Cancel all fictitious name filings which you use that includes any of our Marks;
Source: Item 22 — CONTRACTS (FDD page 46)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to the 2025 Ledgers Franchise Disclosure Document, upon termination or expiration of the Franchise Agreement, a franchisee must cancel all fictitious name filings which include any of Ledgers' Marks. This requirement is part of the franchisee's post-termination obligations.
This means that if a franchisee uses a fictitious name (also known as a "doing business as" name) that incorporates Ledgers' trademarks, they are responsible for formally canceling those filings with the relevant state or local authorities. This ensures that the franchisee no longer represents themselves as being affiliated with Ledgers after the agreement ends.
This obligation is important to protect Ledgers' brand and prevent any potential confusion among customers. Failing to cancel these filings could lead to legal issues and continued association with the brand, which is not permitted after termination or expiration of the agreement. Franchisees should ensure they understand and comply with this requirement to avoid any post-termination complications.