What does Mr. Sandless collectively refer to as "Intellectual Property"?

According to the 2025 Mr. Sandless Franchise Disclosure Document, the company identifies its system using trade names, service marks, trademarks, logos, emblems, and indicia of origin. These include, but are not limited to, the mark "Mr. Sandless" and other trade names, service marks, and trademarks designated for use with the Mr. Sandless system. These items are collectively referred to as "Marks" or "Proprietary Marks."

For a prospective franchisee, this means that the right to use these Marks is a key component of the franchise agreement. Mr. Sandless grants franchisees the right to use the System and Proprietary Marks within their designated territories. This right is central to operating a Mr. Sandless Business.

The franchise agreement also stipulates that upon termination of the agreement, the franchisee must discontinue all advertising under the Mr. Sandless name and cancel all registrations relating to the use of any Proprietary Marks. This includes electronic addresses, domain names, search engine listings, and website associations. This ensures that the franchisee no longer represents themselves as being affiliated with Mr. Sandless after the agreement ends.

Mr. Sandless also retains ownership of any modifications, changes, and improvements to the System developed by the franchisee. This includes discoveries or development of products, systems or techniques, management practices or procedures, architectural designs and philosophies and names or groups of words relating to the System or describing the services offered by Mr. Sandless Businesses. These improvements become the exclusive property of Mr. Sandless and can be incorporated into the System for the benefit of other franchisees without any obligation to the franchisee who developed them. This clause emphasizes that the Mr. Sandless system and its associated intellectual property remain under the control of the franchisor.