Can Brueggers Bagels require a franchisee to establish hyperlinks to specific online sites?
Brueggers_Bagels Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
Upon termination or expiration of this Agreement, you will have no right to establish or operate any Bakery for which a Franchise Agreement has not been executed by us prior to termination; and we will be entitled to establish, and to franchise others to establish, Bakeries at any location in the Development Area except as may be otherwise provided under the terms of any Franchise Agreement which remains in effect between us and you.
Further, upon termination or expiration of this Agreement, except as may be otherwise provided under the terms of any Franchise Agreement which remains in effect between us and you, you must:
10.1.1. Cease any action to select, negotiate, develop or construct a site for a Bakery
10.1.2. Cease to use the confidential methods, procedures, and techniques associated with the System, the "Bruegger's" and "Bruegger's Bagels" names and marks, all other Proprietary Marks, the Works, and all other distinctive forms, slogans, signs, symbols, Web sites, domain names, email addresses, other electronic identifiers, and devices associated with the System; withdraw all advertising matter (including electronic marketing); and except as provided in Section 10.2 below not thereafter, directly or indirectly, represent yourself to the public or hold yourself out as a present or former franchisee of ours;
Source: Item 22 — CONTRACTS (FDD page 61)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
Based on the 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, the excerpts provided do not explicitly state whether Brueggers Bagels can require a franchisee to establish hyperlinks to specific online sites. However, the document does state that upon termination or expiration of the franchise agreement, the franchisee must cease to use any web sites, domain names, email addresses, or other electronic identifiers associated with the Brueggers Bagels system. This suggests that Brueggers Bagels has some control over the franchisee's online presence during the term of the agreement.
Additionally, the FDD states that Brueggers Bagels and its affiliates have developed a proprietary system relating to the preparation and promotion of bagels, baked goods, and cream cheese. The distinguishing characteristics of this system include advertising and promotional programs, which may be changed, improved, and further developed by Brueggers Bagels and its affiliates from time to time. This could imply that Brueggers Bagels has the right to direct franchisees on how to promote the brand online, potentially including the use of specific hyperlinks.
To fully understand the obligations of a Brueggers Bagels franchisee regarding online marketing and the use of hyperlinks, a prospective franchisee should ask the franchisor for clarification on this matter. Specifically, they should inquire about any requirements or recommendations related to establishing hyperlinks to Brueggers Bagels' corporate website or other online resources.