Who has the sole right to create, establish, own, and control the website for a Big Apple Bagels franchise?
Big_Apple_Bagels Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
any websites, social media accounts or domain names which
incorporate any of the Marks, name or initials into its web address. Franchisee is prohibited from establishing websites or domain names linking to the BAB websites without the prior written authorization of BAB.
- (b) Franchisor will have the sole right to create, establish, own, and control the website for Franchisee's BAGELS Store.
- (c) Franchisor will have the sole right to create, establish, own, and monitor all Social Media postings for Franchisee's BAGELS Store. Franchisee may participate in the content and maintenance of Social Media for Franchisee's BAGELS Store, only in accordance with Franchisor's guidelines and subject to Franchisor's right to alter or delete postings made by Franchisee.
- (d) Franchisor will have the sole right to control all aspects of Digital Marketing, including those related to Franchisee's BIG APPLE BAGELS Store. Unless Franchisor consents otherwise in writing, Franchisee may not, directly or indirectly, conduct or be involved in any Digital Marketing that uses the Marks or is related to Franchisee's BIG APPLE BAGELS Store. If Franchisor does give Franchisee written consent to conduct any Digital Marketing, Franchisee must do so in compliance with Franchisor's guidelines, specifications, standards, policies or procedures Franchisor may issue from time to time on Digital Marketing.
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Source: Item 22 — CONTRACTS (FDD pages 86–87)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Big Apple Bagels' 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, Big Apple Bagels, as the franchisor, retains the sole right to create, establish, own, and control the website for a franchisee's Big Apple Bagels store. This means that franchisees are not permitted to independently set up or manage their own websites for their specific franchise location.
This policy ensures brand consistency and allows Big Apple Bagels to maintain a uniform online presence. It also enables the franchisor to control the information and marketing messages conveyed to customers through the website. While franchisees cannot create their own websites, they may be able to participate in social media content and maintenance, but only in accordance with Big Apple Bagels' guidelines and subject to the franchisor's right to alter or delete postings.
This level of control over digital presence is fairly common in franchising, as franchisors aim to protect their brand image and ensure a consistent customer experience across all locations. Prospective franchisees should discuss with Big Apple Bagels what opportunities they will have to provide input or customize the website with local store information.
Furthermore, franchisees are prohibited from establishing websites or domain names linking to the Big Apple Bagels websites without prior written authorization. This restriction reinforces the franchisor's control over the brand's online representation and prevents franchisees from creating unauthorized or potentially misleading online content.