Is a 1-800-GOT-JUNK? franchisee required to maintain a high-speed internet connection?
1_800_Got_Junk Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
n granting the rights hereunder, and without limiting any of the rights of Franchisor set out in this Agreement, it is understood, acknowledged and agreed to by Franchisee, that Franchisee is expressly prohibited from offering for sale services, products or other goods authorized by Franchisor for sale by 1- 800-GOT-JUNK? franchisees through the Internet or the World Wide Web or any other computer or alternative network accessible to the public or from registering any website, web address, URL address or domain names using the Marks or any variations, modifications or part thereof. In addition, Franchisee shall not create or maintain a website or other Internet presence, or publish or advertise on the Internet, the World Wide Web or any other computer or alternative network accessible to the public without the prior written approval of Franchisor. Franchisee acknowledges and agrees that it is strictly prohibited from promoting the Franchised Business or using the Marks or any variations, modifications or part thereof in any manner whatsoever on social or networking websites including, but not limited to, Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, MySpace and Twitter or any other similar social networking site, without Franchisor’s prior written consent. Franchisee acknowledges and agrees that, without Franchisor’s prior written consent, Franchisee shall not input, provide or otherwise use any Confidential Information in connection with any computer system that leverages artificial intelligence or machine learning models, including but not limited to any publicly-available generative AI tools (e.g., ChatGPT). The foregoing restriction includes inputting, providing or otherwise using any Confidential Information to train, develop or modify any such models. 4908-1371-6037.2 Franchise Agreement 4/22 13. OPERATIONS MANUAL 13.1 Acknowledgement. Franchisee acknowledges that Franchisor and its Affiliates are the sole and exclusive owners of all proprietary rights in and to the System and that the information revealed in the Operations Manual, in its entirety, constitutes confidential trade secrets and is protected by copyright. Without the prior written consent of Franchisor, Franchisee shall not use the contents of the Operations Manual for any purpose not related to this Agreement, and shall not disclose the contents of the Operations Manual to any person, except to employees of Franchisee for purposes related solely to the operation of the Franchised Business, nor shall Franchisee publish, reprint or reproduce the Operations Manual in whole or in part for any purpose. Franchisee shall take all safeguards and precautions specified by Franchisor from time to time or as would be expected to be exercised by a careful person entrusted with valuable property of another, to protect and maintain the confidentiality of the Operations Manual.
Source: Item 22 — Contracts (FDD page 24)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
Based on the 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, the 1-800-GOT-JUNK? franchise agreement does not explicitly state that franchisees must maintain a high-speed internet connection. However, franchisees are restricted from creating or maintaining any website or social media account related to the business without prior written consent from 1-800-GOT-JUNK?. Additionally, franchisees must use only the systems and software specified by 1-800-GOT-JUNK? for operating their franchised business and must keep the passwords provided by 1-800-GOT-JUNK? for accessing the CRM system and other software strictly confidential.
Given these stipulations, it is highly probable that a reliable internet connection is necessary to effectively utilize the required systems and software. The FDD also mentions that franchisees are prohibited from offering services through the internet without express permission. This suggests that online operations, if permitted, would require a stable internet connection.
While the FDD does not directly mandate a high-speed connection, the operational requirements and restrictions related to online activities and software usage imply that franchisees would likely need such a connection to meet 1-800-GOT-JUNK?'s standards and effectively manage their business. A prospective franchisee should confirm the internet requirements with 1-800-GOT-JUNK? during their due diligence.