What is considered 'social media' according to Bhc's advertising policy?
Bhc Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
You, your Affiliate Franchisee, and your Subfranchisees must comply with our System standards regarding the use of social media in your Master Franchised BHC Restaurant's operation, including prohibitions on your and the Master Franchised BHC Restaurant's employees posting or blogging comments about the Master Franchised BHC Restaurant or the System, other than on a website established or authorized by us. "Social media" includes personal blogs, common social networks like Facebook, Instagram, Tik Tok, professional networks like LinkedIn, live-blogging tools like Twitter, virtual worlds, file, audio and video-sharing sites, and other similar social networking or media sites or tools.
We reserve the right to conduct collective/national campaigns via local social media on your behalf.
Source: Item 11 — Franchisor's Assistance, Advertising, Computer Systems, And Training (FDD pages 29–38)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Bhc's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, the brand has a broad definition of what constitutes 'social media' for the purposes of its advertising and operational standards. This definition extends beyond just the well-known platforms. Bhc includes personal blogs, common social networks like Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok, professional networks such as LinkedIn, and live-blogging tools like Twitter within its scope of social media.
Bhc's definition also encompasses virtual worlds and sites for sharing files, audio, and video. The policy explicitly states that it includes 'other similar social networking or media sites or tools.' This catch-all phrase suggests that Bhc intends to cover any emerging platforms or technologies that allow for social interaction or media sharing, even if they are not specifically named.
For a prospective franchisee, this means that any online activity related to Bhc or its restaurants, even on lesser-known platforms, could fall under the franchisor's control. Franchisees and their employees are generally prohibited from posting or blogging about Bhc or its system, except on websites established or authorized by the company. Bhc maintains control over all social media initiatives and reserves the right to conduct national campaigns via local social media on behalf of the franchisee.