Can Chicken Guy require a franchisee's website to be hosted by them or a third party?
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 has specific requirements and controls regarding a franchisee's website. Chicken Guy requires prior written consent for the use of their Proprietary Marks on any Internet domain name, email address, or in the operation of any Internet website. This consent is at Chicken Guy's sole discretion and can be conditioned upon various requirements.
Chicken Guy can require franchisees to obtain prior written approval for all Internet domain names and home page addresses, the proposed form and content of any website, the use of hyperlinks or other links, the use of materials in which any third party has an ownership interest, and any proposed modification of the website. This gives Chicken Guy significant control over the franchisee's online presence and how the brand is represented.
Furthermore, Chicken Guy may designate the form and content of a franchisee's website and/or require that the website be hosted by them or a third party designated by them, potentially using websites that Chicken Guy owns or controls. Chicken Guy can also require franchisees to establish hyperlinks to their website or another website they designate. Chicken Guy may charge a fee for developing, reviewing, and approving a franchisee's website and/or for hosting the website. This level of control and the potential for additional fees are important considerations for prospective franchisees.