Does the obligation to alter the Franchised Location for Southern Steer apply if the agreement expires?
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 the 2025 Southern Steer Franchise Disclosure Document, if the Franchise Agreement expires or is terminated, the franchisee is obligated to alter the franchised location. Within 30 days of expiration or termination, the franchisee must modify the location so it no longer resembles a standard Southern Steer Business.
These alterations include repainting the interior and exterior with entirely different colors, removing any distinctive colors and designs, removing all Southern Steer-related furniture, fixtures, and decor, and replacing them with items not typically used in Southern Steer Businesses. The franchisee must also remove all exterior and interior Southern Steer signs and discontinue using approved wall decor and window decals, avoiding any items that could be confusingly similar to those used by Southern Steer.
Southern Steer also has the right to enter the premises to make these changes at the franchisee's expense without liability for trespass. This ensures that after the agreement ends, the location cannot be mistaken for a Southern Steer franchise, protecting the brand's image and preventing customer confusion.