Is a Caption By Hyatt franchisee allowed to develop a website with 'hyatt' in the domain name?
Caption_By_Hyatt Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
- (b) Franchisee may not develop, maintain or authorize any website or other electronic medium (other than the Hotel System Website) that either has the word "hyatt" or any similar word, or any of the Proprietary Marks, as part of its domain name or URL or that accepts reservations for the Hotel (other than through an approved link to a Hotel System Website) or otherwise sells any products or services associated with the Hotel or any of the Proprietary Marks.
In addition, except for the Hotel System Website, approved ADS, and as otherwise provided in this Section 5.4, Franchisee may not develop, maintain or authorize any other website, other online presence or other electronic medium that describes or in any other way promotes the Hotel or displays any of the Proprietary Marks.
Franchisee may, with Hyatt's approval (which it will not unreasonably withhold) and subject to compliance with System Standards, authorize any Travel Services Website or Franchisee Organization Website to list and promote the Hotel together with other hotels.
Source: Item 22 — Contracts (FDD page 85)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Caption By Hyatt's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, franchisees are generally prohibited from developing or maintaining any website or electronic medium that includes the word "hyatt" or any similar word in its domain name or URL. This restriction extends to using any of Caption By Hyatt's proprietary marks in the domain name.
This policy is in place to protect Caption By Hyatt's brand consistency and control over its online presence. The brand may maintain a Hotel System Website to advertise and promote its hotels. Franchisees must comply with all system standards related to the Hotel System Website.
However, the FDD states that a franchisee may authorize a Travel Services Website or Franchisee Organization Website to list and promote the hotel, provided Caption By Hyatt grants approval, which will not be unreasonably withheld, and the franchisee complies with system standards. This exception allows for some flexibility in online promotion through approved third-party channels. Any approved links must direct to a Hotel System Website.