Does the Belocal franchisee acknowledge the franchisor's ownership of the belocalpub.com internet domain name?

According to Belocal's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, the franchisee acknowledges that the franchisor, N2 Franchising, Inc., is the lawful, rightful, and sole owner of the internet domain name belocalpub.com. This acknowledgement is part of the franchise agreement.

This means that while a Belocal franchisee has the right to use the belocalpub.com domain name as set forth in the agreement, they do not own it. The franchisor retains full ownership and control. This is a common practice in franchising, where the franchisor maintains control over brand assets and intellectual property.

As a Belocal franchisee, it is important to understand that you are only granted a limited license to use the domain name and other marks. You must use them in the precise form that Belocal prescribes and observe their directions regarding presentation, display, and use. You cannot use the Belocal name or marks as part of your own business entity name or online presence without prior written approval from Belocal. This ensures brand consistency and protects the value of the Belocal brand.

Belocal also has the right to create, operate, and discontinue any online presences it deems appropriate, and is not liable for any downtime that may occur. Franchisees must also provide Belocal with login credentials for any online presence they are authorized to create or maintain. This level of control allows Belocal to manage its brand image and online presence effectively.