What must an Annex Brands franchisee include in their email signature when communicating with someone other than the franchisor?
Annex_Brands Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
- (3) Whenever you send an email to a person other than us, indicate in your email (in the signature portion or elsewhere) that your Center is an independently owned and operated business, and that your views do not necessarily reflect our policies.
You agree to use any standardized signature blocks in formats we determine, if required.
Source: Item 22 — Contracts (FDD pages 109–110)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to the 2025 FDD, when an Annex Brands franchisee sends an email to someone other than Annex Brands, they must indicate that their center is independently owned and operated. The email signature, or another part of the email, must also state that the franchisee's views do not necessarily reflect the policies of Annex Brands. This requirement aims to ensure clarity and avoid any misrepresentation that the franchisee's actions or opinions are directly endorsed by the franchisor.
Annex Brands also has the right to determine the format of standardized signature blocks, if required. Franchisees must use the email addresses provided by Annex Brands for all aspects of their center's operations, including customer communications, marketing, and advertising. They are prohibited from establishing or using their own email addresses without prior written consent from Annex Brands.
These policies are part of Annex Brands's broader Internet Code of Conduct, which franchisees must comply with. The code also includes prohibitions against infringing materials and guidelines for general email conduct, such as keeping messages brief and avoiding unwanted emails. Franchisees are also expected to check emails throughout the day and respond in a timely manner, representing the Annex Brands system appropriately and increasing its goodwill.