Does the Mr. Sandless franchisee have the right to use the Company's logos?

According to the 2025 Mr. Sandless Franchise Disclosure Document, franchisees are granted a nonexclusive franchise to operate a Mr. Sandless business, which includes the right to use the Mr. Sandless System and Proprietary Marks within their designated territory. The Mr. Sandless System is identified by trade names, service marks, trademarks, logos, emblems, and indicia of origin, including the mark "Mr. Sandless." This right is granted under the terms of the Franchise Agreement, indicating that franchisees in good standing can use the Mr. Sandless logos and trademarks to identify and operate their business. However, this right is not absolute and is subject to certain conditions and limitations.

Mr. Sandless franchisees must adhere to the standards and specifications set by Mr. Sandless for products and services, which are periodically amended at Mr. Sandless's discretion. Franchisees are also expected to maintain high standards of quality and service to ensure uniformity across all Mr. Sandless businesses. The agreement specifies that the franchisee cannot use the Proprietary Marks, or any part thereof, as part of any Website domain name without Mr. Sandless's prior written consent, which Mr. Sandless is not required to provide. This ensures that Mr. Sandless maintains control over its brand and online presence.

Upon termination of the Franchise Agreement, the franchisee's right to use the Mr. Sandless logos and trademarks ceases immediately. The franchisee must discontinue all advertising under the Mr. Sandless name, de-identify service vehicles and office locations, and cancel all registrations relating to the use of the Proprietary Marks. This includes taking action to remove any association with Mr. Sandless from electronic addresses, domain names, search engines, and websites. The franchisee must also destroy or surrender all materials containing the Proprietary Marks, such as signs, stationery, and forms. This ensures a clean break and prevents any potential confusion or misuse of the Mr. Sandless brand after the franchise relationship ends.

Mr. Sandless retains ownership of all social media accounts, email addresses, telephone numbers, and other listings associated with the Proprietary Marks. Franchisees must transfer these assets back to Mr. Sandless upon termination of the agreement. Additionally, franchisees cannot hinder Mr. Sandless from using or licensing the Proprietary Marks in any jurisdiction, either during or after the term of the agreement. These provisions are designed to protect Mr. Sandless's intellectual property and ensure its ability to continue using and licensing its brand assets without interference from former franchisees.