Does Belocal require franchisees to use software developed by the franchisor, its affiliates, or a designated third party for the Franchised Business?
Belocal Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
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You must acquire and use any other computer (including tablets) hardware, cloud systems, artificial intelligence tools, and software for the operation of the Franchised Business that we require, including any enhancements, additions, substitutions, modifications, upgrades, and specific models or versions ("Technology"). We may also require you to license from us, or others we designate, any computer software
we develop or acquire for use in connection with the Franchised Business and pay any associated fees. There is no contractual limitation on the frequency or cost of these obligations. If we provide you with any Technology or require you to use specific cloud systems or software, we reserve the right to maintain complete access, at all times, to such Technology or your accounts with cloud systems and software, and you must provide us all passwords and other login credentials associated with the foregoing at our request. Otherwise, we do not have independent access to your personal computer or the information generated or stored on your computer and do not have a contractual right to access it. The types of data generated and stored on the required Technology include advertiser information, advertising content, Publication production management information, personnel information, operations information, financial information, and sales order and commission management information.
Neither we, our affiliates, nor any third parties are required to provide ongoing maintenance, repairs, upgrades, or updates to your Technology, and there are currently no optional or required maintenance/ upgrade contracts for the Technology.
We own all client lists and all other information you collect during the term of your Franchise Agreement. You must not sell, transfer, or use this data for any purpose other than operating your Franchised Business. We recommend that you back up your data locally, which may require you to purchase a "back-up" subscription service.
Source: Item 11 — FRANCHISOR'S ASSISTANCE, ADVERTISING, COMPUTER SYSTEMS, AND TRAINING (FDD pages 37–42)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Belocal's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, franchisees are required to acquire and use specific computer hardware, cloud systems, artificial intelligence tools, and software, including any enhancements, additions, substitutions, modifications, upgrades, and specific models or versions that Belocal designates as "Technology". Belocal may also require franchisees to license computer software from Belocal or other designated parties.
Belocal provides franchisees with sales order and commission management software and publication production management software to assist in the operations of their Franchised Business. While Belocal has the right to charge franchisees for this software, they currently do not assess any fee related to its use. If Belocal provides one or more email addresses containing the name or any part of the name of any N2 publication or any of the Marks, then franchisees must use such email address(es), as applicable, when conducting their Franchised Business and as directed in the Franchise Brand Standards Manual.
Belocal also reserves the right to maintain complete access, at all times, to such Technology or your accounts with cloud systems and software, and franchisees must provide Belocal all passwords and other login credentials associated with the foregoing at their request. The types of data generated and stored on the required Technology include advertiser information, advertising content, Publication production management information, personnel information, operations information, financial information, and sales order and commission management information.