Can Belocal revoke a franchisee's permission to use any online presence?
Belocal Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
We have the right to require you to obtain our consent to create or operate Online Presences that are related to us, the System, the Marks, any publication, or your Franchised Business. For any Online Presence you are permitted (by express consent or by general policy) to create and operate, we reserve the right to be exercised at our option to have the Online Presence directly owned or controlled by us during the term of the Franchise Agreement or to require it to be transferred to us after the expiration or termination of the Franchise Agreement. Similarly, you must provide us, on request, with credentials and login information to any such Online Presence. Your use of any Online Presence must comply with the policies in the Franchise Brand Standards Manual and other brand guidelines. We can revoke your permission to use any Online Presence at any time.
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, Belocal retains significant control over a franchisee's online presence. Belocal has the right to require franchisees to obtain their consent before creating or operating any online presences related to Belocal, the System, the Marks, any publication, or the franchisee's business.
For any online presence a franchisee is permitted to create and operate, Belocal reserves the right to take direct ownership or control of it during the franchise term, or to require its transfer to Belocal after the franchise agreement expires or terminates. Belocal also requires franchisees to provide them with credentials and login information for any such online presence upon request.
Moreover, a franchisee's use of any online presence must comply with the policies outlined in Belocal's Franchise Brand Standards Manual and other brand guidelines. Most importantly, Belocal explicitly states that they can revoke a franchisee's permission to use any online presence at any time. This gives Belocal broad authority to manage and potentially shut down a franchisee's online activities related to the business.