Is a Belocal franchisee allowed to use any abbreviation of the Marks as part of their business entity name?

According to Belocal's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, franchisees are explicitly restricted from using any abbreviation, acronym, or variation of Belocal's marks or trade names as part of their business entity name. This restriction extends to the specific marks "BELOCAL," "N2," "N2 Publishing," "Hyport Digital." Franchisees also cannot use these marks as part of any business entity in which they own or hold an interest, or as part of any Online Presence, including any Internet, Web address, or email domain name or URL.

Before establishing their business entity, a prospective Belocal franchisee must submit their proposed entity name to Belocal for written approval. This process ensures that the chosen name complies with Belocal's branding guidelines and does not infringe on its trademarks. The franchisee cannot proceed with a name that has not been approved by Belocal.

This requirement protects Belocal's brand identity and ensures consistency across all franchise locations. By controlling the use of its trademarks, Belocal aims to maintain a unified image and prevent any potential confusion among customers. This is a common practice in franchising, where brand consistency is crucial for building and maintaining customer recognition and trust. Franchisees should carefully consider these restrictions when setting up their business and be prepared to seek approval for their chosen entity name.