What is the Marble Slab Creamery franchisee's obligation regarding the use of Proprietary Marks and the System?
Marble_Slab_Creamery Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
rves the right to terminate this Agreement if Franchisee fails to meet any of the above requirements for the relocation, including the failure to reopen the relocated Restaurant within 120 day of the closure of the original Restaurant even if Franchisee received Franchisor's approval to relocate.
6. PROPRIETARY MARKS
- 6.1 With respect to Franchisee's use of the Proprietary Marks pursuant to this Agreement, Franchisee agrees that:
- 6.1.1 Franchisee will use only the Proprietary Marks designated by Franchisor, and will use them only in the manner authorized under this Agreement and permitted by Franchisor.
- 6.1.2 Franchisee will use the Proprietary Marks only for the operation of the Restaurant and only at the Accepted Location or in advertising for the business conducted at or from the Accepted Location. Unless otherwise authorized or required by Franchisor, Franchisee will not use the Proprietary Marks in connection with the operation of an Internet website or in connection with any advertising on an Internet website.
- 6.1.3 Unless otherwise authorized or required by Franchisor, Franchisee will operate and advertise the Restaurant only under the name "MARBLE SLAB CREAMERY," without prefix or suffix, and will require all advertising and promotional materials, signs, decorations, paper goods (including disposable food containers and napkins), and other items which may be designated by Franchisor to bear the Proprietary Marks in the form, color, location, and manner prescribed by Franchisor.
- 6.1.4 During the term of this Agreement and any renewal hereof, Franchisee will identify itself as the franchisee of the Restaurant in conjunction with any use of the Proprietary Marks, including, but not limited to, on invoices, business cards, stationery, order forms, receipts, and contracts, as well as at such conspicuous locations on the premises of the Restaurant as Franchisor may designate in writing.
- 6.1.5 Franchisee will not use the Proprietary Marks to incur any obligation or indebtedness on behalf of Franchisor.
- 6.1.6 Franchisee will not use the Proprietary Marks as part of an Internet domain name (or URL), e-mail address, or as part of Franchisee's corporate or other legal name.
- 6.1.7 Franchisee will execute any documents deemed necessary by Franchisor to obtain protection for the Proprietary Marks or to maintain their continued validity and enforceability.
- 6.1.8 Franchisee will promptly notify Franchisor of any unauthorized use of the Proprietary Marks, any challenge to the validity of the Property Marks, or any challenge to the ownership, or Franchisor's right to use and to license others to use, or Franchisee's right to use, the Proprietary Marks. Franchisee acknowledges that Franchisor has the sole right to direct and control any administrative proceeding or litigation involving the Proprietary Marks, including any settlement
thereof. Franchisor has the sole right, but not the obligation, to take action against uses by others that may constitute infringement of the Proprietary Marks. Franchisor will defend Franchisee against any third-party claim, suit, or demand arising out of Franchisee's use of the Proprietary Marks. If Franchisor, in its sole discretion, determines that Franchisee has used the Proprietary Marks in accordance with this Agreement, the cost of such defense, including the cost of any judgment or settlement, will be borne by Franchisor. If Franchisor, in its sole discretion, determines that Franchisee has not used the Proprietary Marks in accordance with this Agreement, the cost of such defense, including the cost of any judgment or settlement, will be borne by Franchisee.
Source: Item 22 — CONTRACTS (FDD page 101)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Marble Slab Creamery's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, franchisees have specific obligations regarding the use of the Proprietary Marks and the System. Franchisees must use only the Proprietary Marks designated by Marble Slab Creamery and only in the manner authorized within the franchise agreement. The Proprietary Marks can only be used for the operation of the restaurant at the approved location or in advertising for the business conducted at or from that location. Unless otherwise authorized or required by Marble Slab Creamery, franchisees must operate and advertise the restaurant under the name "MARBLE SLAB CREAMERY," without any additional prefixes or suffixes.
All advertising and promotional materials, signs, decorations, paper goods, and other items designated by Marble Slab Creamery must bear the Proprietary Marks in the form, color, location, and manner prescribed by Marble Slab Creamery. During the term of the agreement, franchisees must identify themselves as a franchisee of Marble Slab Creamery in conjunction with any use of the Proprietary Marks, including on invoices, business cards, stationery, order forms, receipts, and contracts, as well as in conspicuous locations within the restaurant as designated by Marble Slab Creamery in writing.
Furthermore, franchisees are restricted from using any computer or electronic medium that displays the Proprietary Marks without prior written consent from Marble Slab Creamery. Marble Slab Creamery retains control over its Internet websites, including the design, content, and functionality. Franchisees may be allowed to customize or post information on an interior page of Marble Slab Creamery's website, but this is subject to executing a participation agreement and complying with Marble Slab Creamery's procedures and standards. Marble Slab Creamery also retains ownership of domain names such as "Marble Slab Creamery.com" and related URLs.