Does Augusta Lawn Care have the right to require a franchisee to have a webpage within Augusta Lawn Care's principal website?
Augusta_Lawn_Care Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
mportance of the standardization of advertising, marketing, and promotion programs to the furtherance of the goodwill and public image of the System, the parties agree as follows:
7.4.1 Intentionally Omitted.
7.4.2 Websites
Unless otherwise approved in writing by Augusta Lawn Care, You shall not establish a separate Website. However, Augusta Lawn Care shall have the right to require that You have one or more references or webpage(s), as designated and approved in advance by Augusta Lawn Care, within Augusta Lawn Care's principal Website, which is currently www.augustalawncareservices.com ("Our Website"). The term "Website" means an interactive electronic document contained in a network of computers linked by communications software, commonly referred to as the Internet or World Wide Web, including, but not limited to, any account, page, or other presence on a social or business networking media site, such as Facebook, Twitter, Linked In, and on-line blogs and forums ("Networking Media Sites"). Augusta Lawn Care shall have the right to require that You not have any Website other than the webpage(s), if any, made available on Our Website.
Source: Item 23 — RECEIPTS (FDD pages 44–184)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to the 2025 Augusta Lawn Care FDD, Augusta Lawn Care has the right to require franchisees to have a webpage within their principal website. The FDD specifies that unless Augusta Lawn Care approves otherwise in writing, franchisees cannot establish a separate website.
Augusta Lawn Care retains the right to mandate that franchisees maintain one or more references or webpages on Augusta Lawn Care's main website, currently identified as www.augustalawncareservices.com. Furthermore, Augusta Lawn Care can prohibit franchisees from having any website other than the ones provided on their principal website.
This requirement ensures brand consistency and allows Augusta Lawn Care to control the online presence of its franchisees. However, Augusta Lawn Care may approve a separate website for a franchisee, but they are not obligated to do so, and any approval can be revoked later. If a franchisee is allowed to have a separate website, it is subject to Augusta Lawn Care's prior review and approval, and any related expenditures will not count towards the franchisee's advertising obligations.