Does Buns On Fire have the right to control all aspects of a franchisee's e-commerce activity?
Buns_On_Fire Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
e is not in connection with Buns on Fire business without our written consent.
We have the right to designate, approve, control or limit all aspects of your Franchise Business that you conduct over the Internet ("e-commerce") including, without limitation, the URLs, domain names, website addresses, metatags, links, key words, e-mail addresses, bulletin boards, social media, chat rooms and any other means of electronic identification or origin ("e-names") used in connection with your Buns on Fire Restaurant business. We have final control and approval over all content and information on the Corporate Website as well as franchise subpages. We will own all intellectual property and other rights on the Corporate Website and all information they contain (including but not limited to, the domain name or URL for Your Website, the log of "hits" by visitors, and any personal or business data that visitors supply, but excluding your proprietary information).
All e-commerce activity will be conducted through the Corporate Website or a mobile application that we may develop at our discretion. You shall not be permitted to offer or sell any Products over the internet.
You agree to comply with any additional policies and standards we issue periodically with respect to the Internet and e-commerce. Should we consent in writing to you advertising or usage of the Internet for your Franchise Business, you must supply us with the current usernames, passwords, credentials and other account information that you have used in connection with any accounts relating to any approved Internet usage of the Marks and we must have co-administrative rights to all web pages.
Social Media Policy
To ensure consistency and quality of the company's message, we maintain and control all Social Media accounts associated with the Franchised Businesses. If we were to allow Social Media Accounts, you must comply with our Social Media Policy.
Computer Requirements
You must keep your books and business records according to our prescribed formats. To help your reporting to us and other communications, you must purchase or lease an electronic cash register in your restaurant. We will specify the point of sale ("POS") system you must purchase or lease in our Operations Manual.
Source: Item 11 — FRANCHISOR'S ASSISTANCE, ADVERTISING, COMPUTER SYSTEMS, AND TRAINING (FDD pages 25–33)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Buns On Fire's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, Buns On Fire retains significant control over a franchisee's e-commerce activities. Buns On Fire has the right to designate, approve, control, or limit all aspects of a franchisee's online business. This includes URLs, domain names, website addresses, metatags, links, keywords, email addresses, bulletin boards, social media, chat rooms, and any other means of electronic identification. Franchisees are not allowed to sell products over the internet and all e-commerce activity must be conducted through the Corporate Website or a mobile application that Buns On Fire may develop.
Buns On Fire maintains final control and approval over all content and information on the Corporate Website, including franchise subpages. They own all intellectual property and other rights on the Corporate Website, including the domain name, visitor logs, and any personal or business data visitors supply, excluding the franchisee's proprietary information. Franchisees must comply with any additional policies and standards Buns On Fire issues regarding the Internet and e-commerce.
If Buns On Fire consents to a franchisee's internet usage, the franchisee must provide current usernames, passwords, credentials, and other account information related to any approved Internet usage of the Marks. Buns On Fire must also have co-administrative rights to all web pages. To ensure consistency and quality, Buns On Fire maintains and controls all Social Media accounts associated with the Franchised Businesses. Franchisees cannot operate or build a website that provides content in the areas of the business that Buns On Fire operates, even if the site does not mention Buns On Fire or its affiliates, without written consent.
This level of control is relatively common in franchising, as franchisors seek to maintain brand consistency and quality control across all online platforms. However, prospective franchisees should carefully consider these restrictions and ensure they are comfortable with the limited autonomy they will have over their online presence. Franchisees should discuss with Buns On Fire what options are available for them to engage with customers online and what the process is for getting approval for any online activities they wish to pursue.