Can a Caption By Hyatt franchisee 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 the 2025 Caption By Hyatt Franchise Disclosure Document, franchisees are generally prohibited from developing or maintaining any website that includes the word "hyatt" or any similar word, or any of the Proprietary Marks, in its domain name or URL. This restriction extends to websites that accept reservations for the hotel (except through approved links to a Hotel System Website) or sell products/services associated with the hotel or Proprietary Marks.
Caption By Hyatt maintains a "Hotel System Website" to advertise and promote Brand Hotels. Franchisees must adhere to all System Standards related to this website, including providing accurate and up-to-date information about their hotel as requested by Hyatt. Hyatt retains full control over the content and intellectual property rights of the Hotel System Website and may discontinue it at any time.
While franchisees are generally restricted from creating their own websites with the Hyatt name, they may, with Hyatt's approval (which will not be unreasonably withheld) 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. This provides a limited avenue for online promotion outside of the official Hotel System Website.