The former chief executive and finance director of Prontaprint and Kall Kwik's parent company have reportedly purchased the Prontaprint brand.

Sara Jamison and Roger Baker, former chief executive and finance director of On Demand Communications (ODC), the parent company of the national print service franchises, which was placed in administration on Monday (December 12th), are understood to have bought the Prontaprint brand and its associated intellectual property from the administrator.

Prontaprint's brand and intellectual property have been purchased by former directors of owner On Demand Communications

Output has learned that franchise owners have been offered the chance to break away from their contracts without penalty, or to keep their branding for a five percent franchise fee with reduced support. A similar offer was tabled by franchisees two years ago but was rejected by ODC; franchisees are likely to negotiate other terms.

Individual companies bearing the name of either franchise under their licence arrangement with the parent are believed to be unaffected. Several Prontaprint and Kall Kwik franchises have elected to break away in recent weeks, including Pronta Print Chorley, now The Print Quarter, the Prontaprint branch in Broadway, Peterborough, newly christened Printmarshall, and Kall Kwik Brighton.

Franchisees who are considering their position are advised to seek legal advice from a specialist in franchise law, as the terms of their independence are likely to depend on the terms of their existing agreement with ODC. More than 100 franchisees under both the Kall Kwik and Prontaprint brands continue to be represented by franchise law experts Field Fisher Waterhouse.

The fate of the Kall Kwik brand is not yet confirmed, although it is rumoured that there is at least one potential UK-based suitor.