Are Christies International Real Estate franchisees required to have Internet access at their Business?
Christies_International_Real_Estate Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
to CHRISTIE'S INTERNATIONAL REAL ESTATE businesses regardless of where such businesses are located, including within the Protected Territory;
- (e) to promote, sell, and distribute products, items, and other materials under the Marks or other trademarks through dissimilar channels of distribution (i.e., other than the operation of a CHRISTIE'S INTERNATIONAL REAL ESTATE office within the Protected Territory), including by electronic means such as the Internet, applications, by websites we may establish, catalog sales, telemarketing, or other direct marketing sales;
- (f) To advertise the System anywhere, including, without limitation, on the Internet (or any other existing or future form of electronic commerce) and to create, operate, maintain, and modify, or discontinue the use of a website or any online presence using the Marks; and
- (g) to engage in all other activities associated with the CHRISTIES INTERNATIONAL REAL ESTATE Marks not expressly prohibited under the License Agreement.
As indicated above, if the License Agreement does not designate a Protected Territory, then you have no territorial protection, we reserve all rights, and we and other Affiliates may operate real estate brokerages or other businesses under the CHRISTIE'S INTERNATIONAL REAL ESTATE mark anywhere.
Minimum Performance Requirement
Your rights under the License Agreement are dependent on you achieving the minimum performance requirements identified on Exhibit 1 to the License Agreement (referred to as the "Minimum Performance Requirement").
Source: Item 23 — RECEIPT (FDD pages 54–177)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
Based on the 2025 Christies International Real Estate Franchise Disclosure Document, franchisees are granted the right to offer and sell real estate brokerage services through various channels, including the Internet. The franchisor also reserves the right to promote, sell, and distribute products and materials under the Christies International Real Estate marks through electronic means, such as the Internet and websites. Additionally, Christies International Real Estate retains the right to advertise the System anywhere, including on the Internet, and to operate and maintain a website using the Marks. While these sections highlight the importance of internet usage, the FDD does not explicitly state that franchisees are required to have Internet access at their Business location.
Given the emphasis on online marketing and operations, it is highly probable that franchisees need Internet access to effectively run their Christies International Real Estate business. The ability to engage with customers online, manage listings, and utilize the franchisor's online resources would likely be essential for day-to-day operations. However, without a direct statement in the FDD, this remains an assumption.
Prospective Christies International Real Estate franchisees should seek clarification from the franchisor regarding the necessity of Internet access. Specifically, they should inquire about whether Internet access is a mandatory requirement for operating the franchise, what minimum bandwidth or connectivity standards are expected, and how the lack of Internet access might impact their ability to meet operational standards or utilize franchisor-provided resources and support.