What is a Belocal franchisee required to do regarding their proposed entity name before using it?

According to Belocal's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, a franchisee must submit their proposed entity name to Belocal for written approval before using it. The franchisee is prohibited from using any name that Belocal has not approved.

Belocal also restricts the use of its trademarks and trade names in a franchisee's entity name. Specifically, franchisees cannot use names of any N2 publication or any of Belocal's marks or trade names, including "BELOCAL," "N2," "N2 Publishing," or "Hyport Digital," or any abbreviation, acronym, or variation of those words. This restriction applies to the franchisee's name, any business entity in which the franchisee owns or holds an interest, or as part of any online presence, including internet, web address, or email domain name or URL.

This requirement ensures that the Belocal brand and its associated trademarks are protected and that franchisees do not create confusion in the marketplace by implying an affiliation that does not exist. It also allows Belocal to maintain control over its brand identity and prevent unauthorized use of its intellectual property. A prospective franchisee should carefully consider these restrictions when choosing a business entity name and be prepared to seek approval from Belocal before finalizing their choice.