What are 'Telephone Listings' that a Mr. Sandless franchisee might acquire?
Mr_Sandless Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
rmination, involuntary termination, or natural expiration thereof.
2. Internet Advertising and Telephone Accounts
2.1 Interest in Websites, Social Media, and Software Accounts and Other Electronic Listings. Franchisee may acquire (whether in accordance with or in violation of the Franchise Agreement) during the term of Franchise Agreement, certain right, title, or interest in and to certain domain names, social media accounts, software accounts, hypertext markup language, uniform resource locator addresses, access to corresponding internet websites, and the right to hyperlink to certain websites and listings on various internet search engines (collectively, "Electronic Advertising") related to the Franchised Business or the Marks.
2.2 Interest in Telephone Numbers and Listings. Franchisee has or will acquire during the term of the Franchise Agreement, certain right, title, and interest in and to those certain telephone numbers and regular, classified, internet page, and other telephone directory listings (collectively, the "Telephone Listings") related to the Franchised Business or the Marks.
2.3 Transfer. On Termination of the Franchise Agreement, or on periodic request of Franchisor, Franchisee will immediately:
2.3.1 direct all internet service providers, domain name registries, internet search engines, social media and software companies, and other listing agencies (collectively, the "Internet Companies") with which Franchisee has Electronic Advertising and Telephone Listings: (i) to transfer all of Franchisee's interest in such Electronic Advertising and Telephone Listings to Franchisor; and (ii) to execute such documents and take such actions as may be necessary to effectuate such transfer. In the event Franchisor does not desire to accept any or all such Electronic Advertising and Telephone Listings, Franchisee will immediately direct the Internet Companies to terminate such Electronic Advertising and Telephone Listings or will take such other actions with respect to the Electronic Advertising and Telephone Listings as Franchisor directs; and
2.3.1 direct all telephone companies, telephone directory publishers, and telephone directory listing agencies (collectively, the "Telephone Companies") with which Franchisee has Telephone Listings: (i) to transfer all Franchisee's interest in such Telephone Listings to Franchisor; and (ii) to execute such documents and take such actions as may be necessary to effectuate such transfer. In the event Franchisor does not desire to accept any or all such Telephone Listings, Franchisee will immediately direct the Telephone Companies to terminate such Telephone Listings or will take such other actions with respect to the Telephone Listings as Franchisor directs.
2.4 Appointment; Power of Attorney.
Source: Item 22 — CONTRACTS (FDD page 42)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Mr. Sandless's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, a franchisee may acquire rights to telephone numbers and listings related to the franchised business or the Mr. Sandless marks. These 'Telephone Listings' encompass regular telephone directory listings, classified listings, internet page listings, and other types of telephone directory listings. This means a franchisee might secure a specific phone number for their Mr. Sandless business, along with listings in phone books and online directories to enhance visibility.
Upon termination of the Franchise Agreement, or if periodically requested by Mr. Sandless, the franchisee is obligated to transfer all rights and interests in these Telephone Listings to Mr. Sandless. The franchisee must also direct all relevant internet service providers and listing agencies to effect this transfer. If Mr. Sandless does not want the listings, the franchisee must terminate them.
Mr. Sandless retains sole rights to all telephone numbers and listings associated with their proprietary marks. The franchisee is required to provide an undated assignment of the telephone number to Mr. Sandless upon execution of the agreement. This ensures that Mr. Sandless maintains control over its brand identity and customer reach, even after a franchise agreement ends. The franchisee must notify the telephone company and all listing agencies of the termination of their right to use any telephone number and any classified or other telephone directory listings associated with such names and to authorize the transfer of same to Mr. Sandless or its new franchisee.