What is the Coffee News franchisee restricted to regarding their public presence?
Coffee_News Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
WHEREFORE, Coffee News adopts the following Social Media Policies that all Coffee News Franchisees shall follow:
1. General Guidelines:
Coffee News suggests that all Franchisees, comply with the following general guidelines:
- a. Be professional and remember that you are part of the Coffee News brand. Wherever possible or appropriate, disclose your franchisee relationship with Coffee News.
- b. Keep your post and comments about your business.
- c. Be responsible and honest at all times.
- d. Be credible, accurate, fair and thorough.
- e. Post meaningful, respectful comments. No spam and no language that is offensive to others. When disagreeing with other's opinions, be objective and respectful.
- f. Keep in mind that your online post and comments are permanent.
- g. Whenever you post Coffee News trademark and/or logo online, make sure that you use the trademark and logo correctly in consistent with the Coffee News brand. We take great care to protect the brand and our web efforts and so should you.
- h. Do not post or link to any materials that are defamatory, harassing or indecent.
- i. Do not give a personal opinion that can be construed as judgmental. Do not talk about politics or religion. Stay away from causes.
- j. If you are unsure of whether you should post something or not, do not post it.
- k. Be aware of praise and criticisms posted by other people, competitors, customers, vendors about Coffee News and share those posts with Coffee News.
2. Username format
Due to the importance of brand consistency and the risk of customer confusion, Coffee News suggests that a franchisee use a username including the wording "Coffee News," a space, and then end with the city in which the Franchisee is located. (e.g. "Coffee News
Source: Item 23 — Receipts (FDD pages 36–118)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Coffee News' 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, franchisees must adhere to specific guidelines regarding their public presence, particularly on social media. These guidelines are designed to protect the brand's image and goodwill. Franchisees are expected to be professional, responsible, and honest in all their online interactions. They should focus their posts and comments on their business and avoid posting or linking to any materials that are defamatory, harassing, or indecent.
Coffee News franchisees are restricted from expressing personal opinions that could be construed as judgmental and are explicitly instructed to avoid discussing politics or religion. They should also refrain from engaging in discussions about causes. The FDD emphasizes the importance of using the Coffee News trademark and logo correctly and consistently with the brand's standards. Franchisees are also advised to be mindful of praise and criticisms posted by others about Coffee News and to share such posts with the franchisor.
To maintain brand consistency, Coffee News suggests a specific username format for franchisees on social media, including the wording "Coffee News" followed by the city in which the franchise is located. Franchisees are also required to comply with all laws and regulations applicable to social media use, including prohibitions against defaming competitors, harassing individuals, infringing on copyrighted materials, or violating privacy laws. Coffee News reserves the right to monitor franchisees' social media use and remove any content that violates the Social Media Policy or is deemed inconsistent with the brand's image.