Does Ben Jerrys have the right to change the URL of a franchisee's Webpage at any time?
Ben_Jerrys Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
We currently provide standardized Webpages to Shops that are open year-round and participate in all of our marketing programs. The standardized Webpages use the look and feel of
our Website and provide the means for each franchisee to customize certain content areas of its Webpages, as long as the franchisee complies with our standards and guidelines. It is the responsibility of each franchisee to maintain specific information about its Scoop Shop and its operations. We have final approval of all content on all Webpages and will have the right to remove any content. Your Webpage will be accessible to the public at a specific internet address. We control URL specifications and maintain the right to change the URL at any time in the future. We will provide administration tool support services for the Webpages.
Source: Item 11 — FRANCHISOR'S ASSISTANCE, ADVERTISING, COMPUTER SYSTEMS, AND TRAINING (FDD pages 43–60)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Ben Jerrys's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, Ben Jerrys maintains control over the URL specifications for franchisee webpages and reserves the right to change the URL at any time. This applies to the standardized Webpages that Ben Jerrys provides to Scoop Shops that are open year-round and participate in all of their marketing programs.
This means that while franchisees are responsible for maintaining specific information about their Scoop Shop on these standardized Webpages, Ben Jerrys has final approval of all content and the ability to remove any content. More importantly, Ben Jerrys can alter the web address where customers find the franchisee's page.
For a prospective Ben Jerrys franchisee, this indicates that while they have some control over the content of their webpage, Ben Jerrys ultimately controls the online presence, including the address. This could impact a franchisee's marketing efforts if customers are redirected due to a URL change. Franchisees should stay informed of any potential URL changes to minimize disruption to their online presence.