Is Spray Net obligated to reimburse a franchisee for any loss of revenue attributable to a modified or discontinued mark?
Spray_Net Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
You must modify or discontinue the use of a trademark if we modify or discontinue it. If this happens, you will be responsible for your tangible costs of compliance (for example, changing exterior and interior signage, advertisements and promotional material, etc.). We are not obligated to reimburse you for any loss of revenue attributable to the modified or discontinued mark or for any expenditure you incur to promote a modified or substitute mark.
Source: Item 13 — TRADEMARKS (FDD pages 52–53)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Spray Net's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, if Spray Net modifies or discontinues a trademark, the franchisee is responsible for the tangible costs of compliance, such as changing signage and promotional materials. However, Spray Net is not obligated to reimburse the franchisee for any loss of revenue that may result from the modified or discontinued mark. Additionally, Spray Net will not cover any expenses the franchisee incurs to promote a modified or substitute mark. This means that if Spray Net changes its branding, franchisees must bear the costs of updating their business's appearance and marketing, and they will not be compensated for any potential revenue decline during the transition.
This policy places the financial risk of trademark changes squarely on the franchisee. While it is common for franchisors to control branding and trademarks, it is less common for them to explicitly deny responsibility for revenue losses due to these changes. Many franchise agreements address brand evolution, but some may offer more support or financial assistance during rebranding initiatives.
Prospective Spray Net franchisees should carefully consider this aspect of the franchise agreement. It would be prudent to inquire about the frequency of brand updates or changes Spray Net has made in the past and the potential financial impact on franchisees. Understanding Spray Net's history and future plans for its trademarks can help a franchisee better prepare for potential rebranding costs and revenue disruptions.