Does Mr. Sandless have an obligation to establish and maintain a toll-free telephone number?
Mr_Sandless Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
minal action or proceeding brought by you against employees, customers, or other persons, and you shall within ten (10) days of receipt by you or your counsel, provide us with copies of all pleading and other documents. Without limiting the foregoing, you agree to notify us in advance of your intent to initiate any civil or criminal action against a customer or employee relating to the operation of the Business.
9.17 Telephone
You must obtain at your own expense one (1) telephone line and listing to be used exclusively in the operation of your Business, to be listed under the Mr. Sandless trade name and not under your corporate, partnership, or individual name, and to be used exclusively in connection with your operation of the Business. If you operate a combination Mr. Sandless Business, you may use one telephone number for both. Upon the expiration, transfer or termination of this Agreement for any reason, you must cease using such telephone number(s) and listing(s), and assign same to us or our designee.
Source: Item 22 — CONTRACTS (FDD page 42)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to the 2025 Mr. Sandless Franchise Disclosure Document, franchisees are not explicitly required to establish and maintain a toll-free telephone number. However, franchisees must obtain at their own expense one telephone line and listing to be used exclusively for their Mr. Sandless business. This line must be listed under the Mr. Sandless trade name and not the franchisee's personal or corporate name. If a franchisee operates a combination Mr. Sandless business, they may use one telephone number for both.
Upon termination or expiration of the Franchise Agreement, the franchisee must cease using the telephone number and listing, and assign it to Mr. Sandless or their designee. The Mr. Sandless business must be serviced by a suitable telephone system approved by Mr. Sandless, and franchisees must answer the telephone in the manner set forth in the Operations Manual.
While a toll-free number is not mandated, the franchisee's phone system and answering protocols must align with Mr. Sandless's standards as detailed in the Operations Manual. The franchisee also agrees that Mr. Sandless has sole rights to telephone numbers associated with the Proprietary Marks. A prospective franchisee should clarify with Mr. Sandless what constitutes a 'suitable telephone system' and whether there are any implicit requirements for a toll-free option to meet customer service expectations or operational standards.