What rights of Coffee News franchisees does Coffee News respect and support regarding social media?
Coffee_News Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
| Total current assets | 216,980 | 2 27,576 | | Total assets | $216,980 | $ 2 27,576 |
SCHEDULE D
Coffee News Social Media Policy For Coffee News Franchisees
As the Franchisor of the Coffee News franchises, Coffee News USA, Inc. ("Coffee News" or "We") acknowledge that various technology and social media platforms such as Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, blogs, message boards, wikis, social networking services, video and photo sharing websites, etc., are changing the way people interact. The use of the social media to promote businesses is getting more popular than ever. We respect and support Coffee News Franchisees' (or "your") rights to interact with others through social media in a responsible and knowledgeable manner.
In the meantime, Coffee News, as it has always been, is committed to protect its interest including without limitation its Intellectual property rights, the goodwill associated with the Coffee News brand, contractual rights under the Coffee News Franchise Agreement, and the rights not to be harmed by conduct of others whose activities that Coffee News is not legally responsible. Coffee News Social Media Policy (the "Policy") will help the Coffee News franchisees make respectful and appropriate decisions about their interactions with others concerning Coffee News on the Internet. It is acknowledged that both Coffee News Agreement and Coffee News Franchise Disclosure Document contain the governing provisions relating to advertising which cover the use of social media. This Policy provides you with certain guidelines under the advertising provisions.
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. Any approval by Coffee News of the use of social media sites or monitoring thereof does not constitute a representation that the Franchisees are in compliance with these laws, regulations or 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. Given the constant change and development of the technology, this Policy is subject to change and modification at any time.
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_ Maine.")
3. Compliance with laws, regulations and third-party terms
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.
4. Confidential information
The Franchisees may not use or post the confidential and/or proprietary information of Coffee News pursuant to the Coffee News Franchise Agreement, or breach any other restrictions on confidentiality or disclosure.
Source: Item 23 — Receipts (FDD pages 36–118)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to the 2025 Coffee News Franchise Disclosure Document, Coffee News acknowledges the increasing importance of social media for business promotion and respects franchisees' rights to engage on these platforms responsibly and knowledgeably. However, this support is balanced by Coffee News' commitment to protecting its interests, including intellectual property, brand goodwill, and contractual rights. Franchisees are expected to make respectful and appropriate decisions in their online interactions related to Coffee News. The FDD notes that the Coffee News Agreement and Franchise Disclosure Document contain provisions relating to advertising that also cover social media use.
Coffee News franchisees are responsible for the content they post and must comply with all applicable laws, regulations, and third-party site terms. Coffee News assumes no liability for a franchisee's social media activities and has no obligation to monitor their compliance. However, Coffee News retains the right to monitor social media usage to protect its brand and can require franchisees to remove content that violates the Social Media Policy, laws, or is inconsistent with Coffee News' trademarks and logos. Franchisees are also expected to include disclaimers indicating that their views do not necessarily reflect Coffee News' official position.
To maintain brand consistency, Coffee News may require franchisees to post or use content provided by the company. Franchisees are also expected to adhere to general guidelines, such as being professional, honest, and respectful in their online communications. Coffee News suggests that franchisees include "Coffee News" and their city in their social media usernames to maintain brand consistency and avoid customer confusion. Franchisees are also encouraged to share praise or criticism about Coffee News found online with the company. While franchisees have the right to use social media, Coffee News retains ownership of the goodwill generated from franchisee social media accounts and reserves the right of ownership to these accounts and associated domain names.