Does the definition of 'social media' for Carbones Pizzeria include personal blogs?
Carbones_Pizzeria Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
You must also obtain our approval before establishing, or having established, any websites, hashtags, profiles or accounts relating to us, your Restaurant, your business or to the franchise system. (Franchise Agreement, Section 6). We may also impose prohibitions on you posting or blogging comments about your Restaurant, business or the franchise system on social media. "Social media" includes personal blogs, common social networks like Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, X, Snapchat and Pinterest; professional networks, business profiles or online review or opinion sites like LinkedIn, Google Business Profile or Yelp; live-blogging tools like X and Snapchat; virtual worlds, metaverses, file, audio and video-sharing sites, and other similar social networking or media sites or tools.
Source: Item 11 — FRANCHISOR'S ASSISTANCE, ADVERTISING, COMPUTER SYSTEMS, AND TRAINING (FDD pages 15–19)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to the 2025 Carbones Pizzeria Franchise Disclosure Document, the definition of social media does include personal blogs. Carbones Pizzeria requires franchisees to obtain approval before establishing any websites, hashtags, profiles, or accounts related to the franchise, the franchisee's restaurant, or the business.
Furthermore, Carbones Pizzeria may impose prohibitions on franchisees posting or blogging comments about their restaurant, business, or the franchise system on social media. The FDD explicitly states that "social media" includes personal blogs, along with common social networks like Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, X, Snapchat, and Pinterest. It also encompasses professional networks, business profiles, online review sites like LinkedIn, Google Business Profile, and Yelp, as well as live-blogging tools, virtual worlds, metaverses, file, audio, and video-sharing sites, and other similar social networking or media sites or tools.
This broad definition of social media gives Carbones Pizzeria significant control over a franchisee's online presence and communications related to the business. Prospective franchisees should be aware of these restrictions and consider how they might impact their ability to market their restaurant or express their opinions about the franchise.