What is the Benjamin Franklin Plumbing franchisee's responsibility regarding their employees' use of social media?
Benjamin_Franklin_Plumbing Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
You are responsible for ensuring that your employees understand the policies relating to the use of social media and you are responsible for your employees' use of social media in accordance with such policies. We have the right to require that social media accounts, profiles, pages, and registrations that primarily promote the Marks or the Franchised Business be registered in Franchisor's name. For any such accounts that we permit to be registered in Franchisee's name, you agree to provide us with the current login credentials within five (5) days after opening the account or changing the credentials. You agree that we have the rights to: (i) access any social media accounts to take corrective action if the account or any postings are in violation of our policies; and (ii) take ownership of the accounts on expiration or termination of this Agreement and operate them thereafter as we see fit.
Source: Item 23 — RECEIPTS (FDD pages 88–312)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to the 2025 Benjamin Franklin Plumbing Franchise Disclosure Document, franchisees are responsible for their employees' social media conduct. Specifically, franchisees must ensure their employees understand and adhere to the brand's social media policies. This means a franchisee needs to actively communicate these policies to their staff and monitor their compliance.
Benjamin Franklin Plumbing has the right to mandate that social media accounts primarily promoting the brand or the franchised business be registered in the Franchisor's name. However, if the franchisee is permitted to register such accounts in their own name, they must provide the Franchisor with current login credentials within five days of opening the account or changing the credentials. This allows Benjamin Franklin Plumbing to maintain oversight and control over the brand's online presence.
Benjamin Franklin Plumbing also retains the right to access any social media accounts to take corrective action if the account or any postings violate their policies. Furthermore, upon the expiration or termination of the franchise agreement, Benjamin Franklin Plumbing can take ownership of these accounts and operate them as they see fit. This underscores the importance of franchisees ensuring their employees' social media activity aligns with the brand's standards to avoid potential conflicts or loss of control over their online presence.