Can Chicken Guy require franchisees to establish hyperlinks to their website?
Chicken_Guy Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
You may not use the Proprietary Marks on any Internet domain name, e-mail address or in the operation of any Internet website without our prior written consent. We may grant or withhold our consent in our sole discretion and may condition our consent on such requirements as we deem appropriate, including, among other things, that you obtain our prior written approval of: (1) any and all Internet domain names and home page addresses related to the Franchised Restaurant; (2) the proposed form and content (including any visible and non-visible content such as meta-tags) of any website related to the Franchised Restaurant; (3) your use of any hyperlinks or other links; (4) your use of any materials (including text, video clips, photographs, images and sound bites) in which any third party has an ownership interest; and (5) any proposed modification of your website. We may designate the form and content of your website and/or require that any such website be hosted by us or a third party designated by us, using one or more websites that we own and/or control. In addition, we may require you to establish hyperlinks to our website or another website designated by us. We may charge you a fee for developing, reviewing and approving your website and/or for hosting the website.
Source: Item 13 — TRADEMARKS (FDD pages 36–38)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Chicken Guy's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, Chicken Guy maintains significant control over a franchisee's website and online presence. Chicken Guy requires prior written consent for various aspects of a franchisee's website, including domain names, content, hyperlinks, and materials used. This consent can be granted or withheld at Chicken Guy's discretion, allowing them to ensure brand consistency and quality control across all franchisee websites.
Chicken Guy can designate the form and content of a franchisee's website and even mandate that it be hosted by Chicken Guy or a third party they designate. This level of control is not uncommon in franchising, as franchisors seek to maintain a uniform brand image and customer experience. Chicken Guy may also use websites that they own or control.
Specifically, Chicken Guy can require franchisees to establish hyperlinks to Chicken Guy's website or another website designated by them. Chicken Guy also has the right to charge fees for developing, reviewing, approving, or hosting the franchisee's website. This gives Chicken Guy considerable power over the franchisee's online presence and the ability to generate revenue from these services. Prospective franchisees should carefully consider these requirements and potential costs when evaluating the Chicken Guy franchise opportunity.