Can a Bhc franchisee use the Bhc marks on social media without written consent?
Bhc Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
- (iv) You, your Affiliate Franchisee, and your Subfranchisees are not permitted to promote a Master Franchised BHC Restaurant or use any of the Marks in any manner on any social or networking websites, such as Facebook, LinkedIn, or Twitter, without our prior written consent.
We will control all social media initiatives.
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, franchisees, affiliate franchisees, and subfranchisees are explicitly prohibited from promoting a Bhc restaurant or using any of the Bhc marks on social media or networking websites without prior written consent from Bhc. This restriction applies to platforms such as Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter. Bhc maintains control over all social media initiatives related to the brand.
This policy extends to compliance with Bhc's system standards regarding social media use in the operation of a franchised restaurant. Franchisees and their employees are not allowed to post or blog comments about the restaurant or the Bhc system, except on websites established or authorized by Bhc. The definition of "social media" is broad, encompassing personal blogs, social networks like Facebook and Instagram, professional networks like LinkedIn, live-blogging tools like Twitter, virtual worlds, and file, audio, and video-sharing sites.
Bhc reserves the right to conduct collective or national campaigns via local social media on behalf of the franchisee. This indicates that while franchisees are restricted from independent social media activities, Bhc may utilize local social media channels for broader marketing efforts. This centralized approach allows Bhc to maintain brand consistency and control the messaging across all social media platforms.
For a prospective franchisee, this means that all social media marketing efforts must be aligned with Bhc's strategies and approved in writing. Franchisees need to be aware of these restrictions and ensure that their employees also adhere to these guidelines to avoid any potential breaches of the franchise agreement. It is important to communicate with Bhc to understand the approved methods for social media promotion and to stay informed about any national or collective campaigns that Bhc may initiate.