factual

What is the Coffee News franchisee's responsibility regarding the Coffee News Online publication?

Coffee_News Franchise · 2025 FDD

Answer from 2025 FDD Document

4.6. Third Party Services. It is acknowledged by the parties that all services related to Coffee News Online are to be provided and performed by a third party contractor hired by the Franchisor, provided however, the Franchisee is responsible for uploading all the advertisements and What's Happening events content into the online feature system. Unless otherwise agreed in writing, any and all enrollment of Coffee News Online feature must be through the Franchisor.

4.5.1. Basic service:

  • 4.5.1.1 Provides the layout of current content, submitted ads and What's Happening events dated and posted for each Monday for publishers to send to their contacts each week.
  • 4.5.1.2. Dedicated URL for your online edition (i.e. www.coffeenewsonline.com/ME/Bangor). All online editions can be found via a dropdown menu from the main site.
  • 4.5.1.3 Provides up to 40 single (400 x 300 pixel) ad spaces for sale from all industries including restaurants. Double ads (400 x 600 pixel) are also available to sell (and are counted as 2 ads). All ads rotate weekly.
  • 4.5.2. Premium Service. The Premium Service is designed for publishers who do not already use an email marketing application such as MailChimp or Constant Contact. In addition to the Basic Service, Chil Consulting and/or Shadow Fox Consulting, the current third party contractors that provide Coffee News Online services, will provide email marketing services of your online edition and any other email marketing messages to your contacts for you each week. You would provide the email content to Chil Consulting and/or Shadow Fox Consulting.

It is acknowledged that the franchisees are responsible for their own content posted or published through the social

media and are responsible for complying with all laws and regulations and third-party site terms and conditions. Coffee News will not have any liability for the Franchisee's use of social-media sites. Additionally, Coffee News does not have responsibility or obligation for monitoring Franchisee's compliance with such laws, regulations, and third-party terms and conditions. The franchisees are responsible for monitoring their own employees, representatives, agents, etc. to ensure compliance with these requirements set forth in the Policies.

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.

Source: Item 23 — Receipts (FDD pages 36–118)

What This Means (2025 FDD)

According to the 2025 Coffee News Franchise Disclosure Document, franchisees have specific responsibilities regarding the Coffee News Online publication. While the services related to Coffee News Online are provided by a third-party contractor hired by Coffee News, the franchisee is responsible for uploading all advertisements and "What's Happening" events content into the online system. Unless otherwise agreed in writing, enrollment in the Coffee News Online feature must be done through Coffee News.

Coffee News offers two online service options: Basic and Premium. With the Basic service, Coffee News provides the layout of current content, submitted ads, and "What's Happening" events, dated and posted each Monday, for publishers to send to their contacts weekly. The Basic service also provides a dedicated URL for the franchisee's online edition and up to 40 ad spaces for sale, including restaurants. The Premium Service includes the Basic Service, but also provides email marketing services of the online edition and other email marketing messages to the franchisee's contacts each week. The franchisee would provide the email content to Chil Consulting and/or Shadow Fox Consulting.

Additionally, Coffee News has a Social Media Policy that franchisees must adhere to, acknowledging that franchisees are responsible for their own content posted or published through social media and must comply with all laws, regulations, and third-party terms and conditions. Coffee News assumes no liability for the franchisee's use of social media sites and has no obligation to monitor the franchisee's compliance. Franchisees are responsible for monitoring their own employees, representatives, and agents to ensure compliance with the policies. Franchisees are also obligated to comply with all laws and regulations applicable to the use of social media, and are prohibited from actions such as defaming competitors or using copyrighted materials in an infringing manner.

Disclaimer: This information is extracted from the 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document and is provided for research purposes only. It does not constitute legal or financial advice. Consult with a franchise attorney before making any investment decisions.