After the Petro Stopping Center franchise agreement expires, can I identify my other businesses as being associated with Petro Stopping Center?
Petro_Stopping_Center Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
19.2 Marks. Upon the termination or expiration of this Agreement:
(a) you may not directly or indirectly at any time or in any manner (except with respect to any other Petro Center you own and operate) identify yourself or any business as a current or former Petro Center, or as one of our licensees or franchisees, use any Mark, any colorable imitation of a Mark or other indicia of a Petro Center in any manner or for any purpose or utilize for any purpose any trade name, trade or service mark or other commercial symbol that indicates or suggests a connection or association with us;
(b) you agree to take such action as may be required to cancel all fictitious or assumed name or equivalent registrations relating to your use of any Mark;
(c) you agree to deliver to us within 30 days after, as applicable, the effective date of expiration of this Agreement or the Notification Date all signs, marketing materials, forms and other materials containing any Mark or otherwise identifying or relating to a Petro Center and allow us, without liability to you or third parties, to remove all such items from the Petro Center;
(d) if we do not have or do not exercise an option to purchase the Petro Center, you agree that, after, as applicable, the effective date of expiration of this Agreement or the Notification Date, you will promptly and at your own expense make such alterations we specify to distinguish the Petro Center clearly from its former appearance and from other Petro Centers so as to prevent confusion by the public;
Source: Item 17 — RENEWAL TERMS. (FDD pages 208–228)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to the 2025 Petro Stopping Center Franchise Disclosure Document, after the franchise agreement terminates or expires, franchisees are restricted from associating themselves with the Petro Stopping Center brand. Specifically, franchisees cannot identify themselves or any business as a current or former Petro Stopping Center, or as one of their licensees or franchisees.
This restriction includes using any Petro Stopping Center Marks, imitations of those Marks, or any commercial symbols that suggest a connection with Petro Stopping Center. The franchisee must also cancel any assumed name registrations related to the use of Petro Stopping Center's Marks.
Moreover, franchisees must remove all materials displaying Petro Stopping Center's Marks and, if Petro Stopping Center does not purchase the location, the franchisee must alter the site to clearly differentiate it from its former appearance to avoid public confusion. These measures ensure a clear separation between the franchisee's future business activities and the Petro Stopping Center brand, protecting the brand's identity and reputation.