What are some minimum changes required when altering a Southern Steer franchised location after termination?
Southern_Steer Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
If this Agreement expires or is terminated for any reason or if the Franchised Location ever ceases to be used for the Franchisee's Southern Steer Business, then within 30 days after the date of the expiration or termination of this Agreement or the date on which the Franchised Location is no longer used for the Franchisee's Southern Steer Business (whichever is applicable), the Franchisee will, at its expense, alter, modify and change both the exterior and interior appearance of the building and the Franchised Location so that it will be clearly distinguished from the standard appearance of a Southern Steer Business.
At a minimum, such changes and modifications to the Franchised Location will include, but not be limited to: (a) repainting and, where applicable, recovering both the exterior and interior walls of the Franchised Location with entirely different colors, including removing any distinctive colors and designs from the walls; (b) removing all furniture, fixtures and other decor items associated with Southern Steer Businesses and replacing them with other decor items not of the general type and appearance customarily used in Southern Steer Businesses; (c) removing all exterior and interior Southern Steer signs; and (d) immediately discontinuing use of the approved wall decor items and window decals, and refraining from using any items which may be confusingly similar to those used in Southern Steer Businesses.
Franchisee agrees that Franchisor or a designated agent may enter upon the Premises at any time to make such changes at Franchisee's sole risk and expense and without liability for trespass.
Source: Item 22 — ITEM. 22 CONTRACTS (FDD pages 61–168)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Southern Steer's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, if the Franchise Agreement expires or is terminated, or if the franchised location ceases to be used for the Southern Steer business, the franchisee is responsible for altering the location to clearly differentiate it from a standard Southern Steer business. This must be completed within 30 days of termination or cessation of business, and the franchisee bears the expense.
At a minimum, the required changes include repainting both the interior and exterior walls with entirely different colors, removing any distinctive colors and designs. Franchisees must also remove all furniture, fixtures, and decor associated with Southern Steer and replace them with items not typically used in Southern Steer businesses.
Additionally, all exterior and interior Southern Steer signs must be removed, and the use of approved wall decor items and window decals must be discontinued. Franchisees are prohibited from using any items that may be confusingly similar to those used in Southern Steer businesses. Southern Steer or its designated agent has the right to enter the premises to make these changes at the franchisee's expense without liability for trespass.