factual

What rights does a Mr. Sandless franchisee have regarding the use of trademarks?

Mr_Sandless Franchise · 2025 FDD

Answer from 2025 FDD Document

erior wood care, exterior wood cleaning, and exterior wood maintenance ("Business" or Franchised Business"). The distinguishing characteristics of our System include proprietary operating procedures, proprietary products, trade dress, and standards and specifications for products and services, as periodically amended in our sole discretion (the "System").

  • B. The System is identified by certain trade names, service marks, trademarks, logos, emblems and indicia of origin, including, but not limited to, the mark "Mr. Sandless" and such other trade names, service marks, and trademarks as are now designated (and may hereafter be designated by us in writing) for use in connection with the System (hereinafter referred to as "Marks" or "Proprietary Marks");
  • C. We offer franchises to qualified individuals for the right to use the System and Proprietary Marks within designated territories (the "Business"). Unless otherwise stated to the contrary herein, the term "Business" shall apply to both a Mr. Sandless Business.
  • D. You have applied to us for the right to operate a Business pursuant to the terms of this Agreement, and we have approved your application in reliance upon all of the representations made in your application, including those concerning your financial resources, your business experience and interests, and the manner in which the franchise will be owned and operated.
  • E. You acknowledge that you have read this Agreement and our Franchise Disclosure Document, and that you have been given an opportunity to obtain clarification of any provision that you did not understand. You also understand and agree that the terms and conditions in this Agreement are necessary to maintain our high standards of quality and service, and the uniformity of those standards at all Mr. Sandless Businesses.

AGREEMENT

NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants contained herein, and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which is hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto, intending to be legally bound, mutually agree as follows:

1. FRANCHISE GRANT

We hereby grant to you, and you hereby accept, a nonexclusive franchise to establish and operate one (1) Franchised Business pursuant to the terms of this Agreement. This Agreement does not give you the right to establish additional Franchised Businesses.

2. TERRITORY AND LOCATION

2.1 Designated Territory

You shall operate your Business only within the designated territory identified, or (if the parties have not agreed upon a territory at the time this Agreement is signed) to be identified, in the Data Sheet (the "Designated Territory"). The size and configuration of your Designated Territory is defined in terms of contiguous zip codes and/or by a map attached to this Agreement as Attachment 2. This Agreement grants you the right to operate the Franchised Business within the Territory only. You acknowledges that (i) the Designated Territory was mutually agreed upon by you and us, (ii) prior to the Effective Date hereof, you conducted your own due diligence with regard to potential customers and other matters relative to the operation of the Franchised Business in the Designated Territory, and (iii) our agreement to the Designated Territory is permission only, does not constitute a representation, promise, warranty, or guarantee, express or implied, by us that the Franchised Business operated therein will be profitable or otherwise successful, and cannot, and does not, create any liability for us. You may not offer or sell any products or services offered by the Business to customers located outside of the Designated Territory. However, you may offer or sell products or services to customers located outside of and adjacent to your Designated Territory if the customer is located in an area that is not serviced by another System franchisee, and you have received prior written approval from us, which approval may be granted or denied at our sole discretion.

During the term of this Agreement, so long as you are in substantial compliance with the terms and conditions of this Agreement, we will not establish or locate, or grant any third party the right to establish or locate, another Mr. Sandless Business using the System and Proprietary Marks within the Designated Territory, except as set forth in Section 2.2 below. This Agreement does not grant you any other territorial rights. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if you meet our qualifications, you may purchase one or more additional territories of approximately 100,000 population each, not to exceed a total of four (4) territories under this Agreement. You shall pay an additional territory fee of Five Thousand Dollars ($5,000.00) for each additional territory purchased. Upon such additional purchase, we will amend Attachment 2.

2.2 Reservation of Rights and Alternative Channels of Distribution

We retain the right to establish, or to grant others the right to establish, Mr. Sandless Businesses outside the Designated Territory. You acknowledge and agree that certain of our or our affiliates' products, whether now existing or developed in the future and whether or not designated as "proprietary products", may be distributed in the Designated Territory by us, our affiliates, our franchisees, licensees or designees, in such manner and through such channels of distribution as we, in our sole discretion, shall determine.

Source: Item 22 — CONTRACTS (FDD page 42)

What This Means (2025 FDD)

According to the 2025 Mr. Sandless Franchise Disclosure Document, franchisees are granted a nonexclusive franchise to operate a Mr. Sandless business within a designated territory, which includes the right to use the Mr. Sandless System and Proprietary Marks. However, this right is subject to several limitations and conditions. Franchisees must operate their business only within their designated territory, defined by contiguous zip codes or a map, and cannot offer or sell services outside this area without prior written approval from Mr. Sandless, with exceptions for adjacent unserviced areas.

Mr. Sandless retains significant rights regarding the use of its trademarks. Franchisees cannot hinder Mr. Sandless from using or licensing its Proprietary Marks. If the franchisee is a corporation, partnership, or LLC, they cannot include any portion of the Proprietary Marks in their entity's name, although they must register for fictitious name usage (d/b/a) and provide a copy to Mr. Sandless. Franchisees also need prior written consent from Mr. Sandless to use the Proprietary Marks in any website domain name.

Upon termination of the franchise agreement, franchisees must immediately discontinue all advertising under the Mr. Sandless name, de-identify service vehicles and office locations, and cancel registrations related to the Proprietary Marks, including domain names and website associations. They must also notify telephone companies and listing agencies of the termination of their right to use associated telephone numbers and listings, authorizing the transfer of these to Mr. Sandless. Mr. Sandless retains sole rights to all social media accounts, email addresses, telephone numbers, and other listings associated with the Proprietary Marks. Franchisees must also destroy or surrender all materials containing the Proprietary Marks and return the Operations Manual and other confidential information to Mr. Sandless. These stipulations ensure Mr. Sandless maintains control over its brand and system, even after a franchise agreement ends.

Disclaimer: This information is extracted from the 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document and is provided for research purposes only. It does not constitute legal or financial advice. Consult with a franchise attorney before making any investment decisions.