What restrictions does Boulder Designs place on a franchisee's use of Social Media for business purposes?
Boulder_Designs Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
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- maintain our Social Media sites and applications such as: Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn and other sites and applications that we may establish. We do allow you to utilize Social Media sites or applications for business purposes with the caveat that all content must be approved by us prior to use those created by us for your use. Further, any representations from you, or your employees regarding your profits or earnings made on any Social Media site or application, even if made from a personal Social Media account, is deemed a breach of Confidential
Information under the Franchise Agreement, and you will be responsible for all costs including legal costs for any required fines or legal actions as a result of your postings; (Franchise Agreement, Section 11.3 and 11.4);
Source: Item 11 — FRANCHISOR'S ASSISTANCE, ADVERTISING, COMPUTER SYSTEMS, AND TRAINING (FDD pages 24–32)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Boulder Designs' 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, franchisees are permitted to use social media for business purposes, but with specific stipulations. All content intended for use on social media sites or applications must receive prior approval from Boulder Designs. This requirement ensures that the franchisee's online presence aligns with the brand's standards and messaging.
Furthermore, any representations made by the franchisee or their employees regarding profits or earnings on any social media platform, even from a personal account, are considered a breach of confidential information under the Franchise Agreement. This restriction is in place to prevent misleading or unsubstantiated claims about potential income, which could lead to legal issues or damage the brand's reputation.
In the event of a breach related to social media postings, the franchisee will be held responsible for all associated costs, including legal fees, fines, or any legal actions resulting from their posts. This underscores the importance of adhering to Boulder Designs' social media policies and obtaining approval for all content before it is published. This is stricter than some franchise systems, where franchisees have more autonomy over their social media content.