Can Beverly Anns Cookie restrict a franchisee's use of social media?
Beverly_Anns_Cookie Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
nformation (defined below).
While the Brand Manual is intended to protect our reputation and goodwill of the Marks, you will be responsible for the day-to-day operation of your Franchised Business and the Brand Manual is not designed to control the day-to-day operation of the Franchised Business.
General Guidance
We will, upon reasonable request, provide advice or guidance regarding your Franchised Business's operation based on reports or inspections or communications with you. We will provide reasonable marketing consulting, guidance and support throughout the Term we deem appropriate. Any advice will be given during our regular business hours and via written materials, electronic media, telephone or other methods, in our discretion.
We maintain a staff to manage and operate the Beverly Ann's Cookie Truck System and our staff members can change as employees come and go. We cannot guarantee the continued participation by or employment of any of our shareholders, directors, officers, employees or staff
Source: Item 23 — RECEIPTS (FDD pages 57–235)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Beverly Anns Cookie's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, the franchisor maintains a System Website for franchised businesses and may include information about the franchisee's business on it as they deem appropriate. Beverly Anns Cookie may modify or discontinue the System Website at any time and owns the System Website and domain names. Franchisee websites are intended to be accessed only through this System Website.
Beverly Anns Cookie requires franchisees to obtain and use at least one Beverly Ann's Cookie Truck email address from them, for which the franchisee must pay a then-current fee. Currently, this fee is $216 per year (or $18 per month), due at the same time as the royalty payments. Beverly Anns Cookie reserves the right to increase this fee with a 30-day written notice.
While the FDD excerpt does not explicitly address social media usage, the control Beverly Anns Cookie exerts over the System Website and franchisee email addresses suggests that they may also have policies regarding social media. A prospective franchisee should inquire about any specific guidelines or restrictions on social media use to ensure they align with the franchisor's expectations and brand standards.