Does Best In Class Education Center own the webpage and domain name created for my center?
Best_In_Class_Education_Center Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
"Franchisees'" use of Social Media for company use is governed by the terms of the franchise agreement, the Operations Manual/Standard Operating Procedure (SOP), and this policy. "Franchisor" reserves the right to require "Franchisee" to discontinue use of a particular Social Media account at any time. No "Franchisee" may create any blog, social media page, website, or any other social or online media presence that incorporates the trademarks or other intellectual property of "Franchisor" without prior authorization from "Franchisor".
4.2 Naming Conventions
If "Franchisee" receives authorization to create a Social Media account, "Franchisee" is required to use our approved naming convention for the account name. The Social Media account requested for use must either be on the "Franchisor's" approved list or approved in advance by "Franchisor". "Franchisor" reserves the right to own the username/handle even when it is no longer part of the franchise system.
5. Account Appearance
"Franchisee" account will be modeled after "Company" pages.
5.1 Basics
- Cover photo and profile picture shall be the same as the Corporate page
- "About" information shall be the same as Corporate Page, see "Account Specifics" for more information.
- "Franchisees" are required to include a link to www.bestinclasseducation.com on all social media sites and include links to the official "Company" social media pages.
5.2 Visuals
All pages, profiles, and posts on "Franchisee" Social Media accounts must comply with "Franchisor's" brand guidelines according to Franchise Agreement and this policy.
All Social Media posts on "Franchisee" accounts are considered "Franchisor's" marketing materials. Use only approved trademarks, trade names, slogans, logos, and other media. Do not insert any "Company" "Social Marketing Material" onto an unapproved image or video.
Source: Item 23 — RECEIPT (FDD pages 47–204)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to the 2025 FDD, Best In Class Education Center maintains significant control over franchisees' online presence. While franchisees may obtain approval to create social media accounts, Best In Class Education Center mandates the use of approved naming conventions and reserves the right to discontinue a franchisee's use of a particular social media account at any time. Franchisees cannot create any online presence that incorporates Best In Class Education Center's trademarks or intellectual property without prior authorization.
Franchisee social media accounts must mirror the company's pages in terms of cover photos, profile pictures, and "About" information. Franchisees are also required to include a link to www.bestinclasseducation.com on all social media sites and link to the official company social media pages. All social media posts are considered Best In Class Education Center's marketing materials, and only approved trademarks, trade names, slogans, logos, and other media can be used.
Best In Class Education Center retains the right to own the username/handle of franchisee social media accounts, even after a franchisee leaves the system. This indicates that Best In Class Education Center maintains ultimate control and ownership over the online brand identity, even at the local franchisee level. While the FDD excerpts detail social media account control, it does not specify who owns the domain name created for the franchisee's center. A prospective franchisee should clarify with Best In Class Education Center the ownership and control of the domain name and website created for their specific location.