Are Coffee News franchisees allowed to discriminate against employment applicants on social media?
Coffee_News Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
The Franchisees are obligated to comply with all laws and regulations that are applicable to the use of social media. The Franchisees are prohibited from actions including without limitation defaming or disparaging competitors, customers, employees, suppliers, subcontractors, or Coffee News; harassing employees, customers, or any other individuals or entities; using copyrighted materials, trademarks or other proprietary materials in an infringing manner; discriminating against employment applicants, violating privacy laws and policies or otherwise misusing the proprietary information of others; or violating laws or other ethical standards, such as fraud or misrepresentation. All posts by the Franchisees on the site must be truthful and not misleading. The Franchisees are not encouraged to mention their competitors on the site, but if they do, the Franchisees must follow the guidelines contained in this Policy.
Source: Item 23 — Receipts (FDD pages 36–118)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Coffee News' 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, franchisees are prohibited from discriminating against employment applicants on social media. The Coffee News Social Media Policy states that franchisees must comply with all applicable laws and regulations when using social media. This includes avoiding discriminatory practices.
This policy means that Coffee News franchisees must ensure their social media activity related to employment does not violate any anti-discrimination laws. Franchisees are responsible for the content they post and publish, and Coffee News assumes no liability for a franchisee's social media use.
Coffee News retains the right to monitor franchisees' social media use to protect its brand. They can also remove content that violates the Social Media Policy or any laws or regulations. Franchisees are also responsible for monitoring their own employees to ensure compliance with these policies.