Can an Afuri Ramen Dumpling franchisee use advertising materials before they are approved?
Afuri_Ramen_Dumpling Franchise · 2024 FDDAnswer from 2024 FDD Document
- 2.5.5 Approval of Your Local Advertising. You will submit to us all advertising copy and other advertising and promotional materials, public relations programs and press releases, radio and television advertising, and specialty and novelty items, before you use them in your local advertising program. You will not use any advertising copy, public relations program, press release or other promotional material until we approve it. Your failure to conform to our provisions or requirements and subsequent non-action by us to require you to cure or remedy your failures and defaults will not be deemed a waiver of future or additional failures and defaults by you under this provision or any other provision of this Agreement.
- 2.5.6 Online and Social Media Marketing. We retain the exclusive right to use social media to promote our brand. You shall not use our brand or promote your Franchise in any form of social media without our prior written approval, which we may grant or withhold at our sole and absolute discretion. If we approve, then your use of social media must be in strict compliance with our standards as outlined in our Operations Manual. We will retain ownership and control of social media accounts.
You will not establish or use a website to promote our brand or your Franchise. We will list your Franchise location on our website.
Source: Item 23 — Receipts (FDD pages 50–189)
What This Means (2024 FDD)
According to Afuri Ramen Dumpling's 2024 Franchise Disclosure Document, franchisees must obtain approval before using any advertising materials. Specifically, all advertising copy, promotional materials, public relations programs, press releases, radio and television advertising, and specialty items must be submitted to Afuri Ramen Dumpling for approval before use.
This requirement extends to online and social media marketing. Afuri Ramen Dumpling retains the exclusive right to use social media to promote its brand. Franchisees are prohibited from using the Afuri Ramen Dumpling brand or promoting their franchise on social media without prior written approval from Afuri Ramen Dumpling, which can be granted or withheld at their discretion. If approval is granted, the franchisee's use of social media must strictly adhere to the standards outlined in the Afuri Ramen Dumpling Operations Manual. Furthermore, Afuri Ramen Dumpling retains ownership and control of all social media accounts.
Additionally, franchisees are not allowed to establish or use a website to promote the Afuri Ramen Dumpling brand or their franchise. However, Afuri Ramen Dumpling will list the franchisee's location on its own website. This ensures that all advertising and promotional efforts align with the brand's standards and image, and that Afuri Ramen Dumpling maintains control over its online presence.