Besides the System Website, what other digital commerce activities are 7 Brew franchisees prohibited from engaging in?
7_Brew Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
All Marketing Materials you develop for the Store must comply with Brand Standards and contain notices of the System Website's URL in the manner we periodically designate. You may not develop, maintain, or authorize any Digital Marketing or Social Media mentioning or describing the Store or displaying any Marks without our prior written approval and, if applicable, without complying with our Brand Standards for such Digital Marketing and Social Media. Except for the System Website and approved Digital Marketing and Social Media, you may not conduct commerce or directly or indirectly offer or sell any products or services using any Digital Marketing, Social Media, or website.
Source: Item 22 — CONTRACTS (FDD pages 82–83)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to 7 Brew's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, franchisees are restricted from certain digital commerce activities beyond the System Website. Specifically, franchisees are prohibited from conducting commerce or directly or indirectly offering or selling any products or services using any Digital Marketing, Social Media, or website, unless it is the System Website or approved Digital Marketing and Social Media. This means that franchisees cannot use their own websites or unapproved digital channels to sell 7 Brew products or services.
This restriction ensures that 7 Brew maintains control over its brand image and customer experience across all digital platforms. By centralizing digital commerce through the System Website and approved channels, 7 Brew can ensure consistency in branding, pricing, and service quality. This also allows 7 Brew to collect and analyze data related to online sales and customer behavior, which can be used to improve the overall performance of the franchise system.
For a prospective franchisee, this limitation means they must rely on the System Website and any approved Digital Marketing and Social Media for online sales and marketing efforts. They cannot create their own independent online storefront or use unapproved social media channels for direct sales. Franchisees need to seek prior written approval from 7 Brew before engaging in any Digital Marketing or Social Media activities that mention or describe the store or display any Marks, and they must comply with Brand Standards for such activities. This may limit a franchisee's ability to innovate and experiment with different online sales and marketing strategies, but it also provides a level of support and guidance from the franchisor in these areas.
It is important for potential franchisees to understand these restrictions and factor them into their business plan. While the limitations may seem restrictive, they are designed to protect the brand and ensure a consistent customer experience. Franchisees should discuss with 7 Brew what types of Digital Marketing and Social Media activities are typically approved and what Brand Standards apply to these activities.