What Franchise Policy Guidelines must a Counselor Realty franchisee adhere to?
Counselor_Realty Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
uthorized to do business in the state where your Business is located;
- (c) offer and provide all products and services, and continuously operate the Business, in accordance with the Franchise Policy Guidelines and all applicable laws and regulations;
- (d) be managed by you or a designated manager involved in the day-to-day operation of the Business; be staffed with qualified and trained employees and licensed real estate agents, in conformity with local, state and federal laws and regulations, who are employed or contracted solely by you, not by us. You are solely responsible for hiring and discharging employees, and setting their wages and terms of employment. You are solely responsible for entering into and terminating contracts with agents;
- (e) use only advertising programs, materials and media (including print, audio, video, website, and computer-transmitted media) that conform at all times to Counselor's brand standard and image. If Counselor determines, in its sole discretion, that any advertising materials or media do not conform to Counselor's brand standard or image, you will alter or remove such advertising materials or media, as directed in writing by Counselor. You have the option to develop your own website as part of your overall promotion strategy. Your use of our trademarks in any advertising materials, advertising media or on your website must conform at all times to the requirements set forth in the Article 4 of this Agreement. Counselor does not currently require any advertising materials, advertising media or your website to be approved by Counselor prior to you using them, but reserves the right to review and approve such advertising materials, advertising media and your website (and to require you to alter or cease using all or any portion of such advertising materials, advertising media or website it does not approve); and
- (f) comply with changes we may make to the Franchise Policy Guidelines, System and standards even if additional investment or expenditures are required.
7.2 Best Efforts, Confidentiality and No Conflicts of Interest.
- (a) You or your Business manager must furnish your personal full time and attention and best efforts to the management and operation of your Business.
- (b) During and after the term of this Agreement, you shall not disclose to a third party or use, except to operate the Business during the term of this Agreement, any confidential or proprietary information, or trade secret, that we own or disclose to you. You must require your Business manager (if any) and agents to sign a corresponding confidentiality agreement.
Source: Item 22 — CONTRACTS (FDD page 32)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to the 2025 Counselor Realty Franchise Disclosure Document, franchisees must adhere to specific Franchise Policy Guidelines. These guidelines dictate how franchisees should offer products and services and continuously operate their business, ensuring compliance with all applicable laws and regulations. Counselor Realty may modify these guidelines, and franchisees must comply with these changes, even if it requires additional investment or expenditures. A complete copy of the Franchise Policy Guidelines is available at Counselor Realty's corporate office in Coon Rapids, Minnesota, and these guidelines may be changed periodically.
Counselor Realty franchisees must also ensure that all advertising programs, materials, and media conform to Counselor Realty's brand standard and image. While Counselor Realty does not currently require approval of advertising materials, they reserve the right to review and approve such materials and can direct franchisees to alter or remove non-conforming advertising. Franchisees also have the option to develop their own website as part of their promotion strategy, but the use of Counselor Realty's trademarks must always conform to the requirements outlined in the franchise agreement.
Furthermore, franchisees or their business manager must dedicate their full time and attention to managing and operating the business. Franchisees are prohibited from disclosing confidential or proprietary information or trade secrets, and they must ensure their business manager and agents sign a confidentiality agreement. Franchisees also cannot own any interest in or work for any competing real estate brokerage service within 50 miles of their Counselor Realty office without prior written approval. These measures ensure that franchisees remain committed to the Counselor Realty system and protect the brand's confidential information and market position.