Where can a Counselor Realty franchisee find the requirements for using Counselor Realty's trademarks on their website?
Counselor_Realty Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
You have the option to develop your own website as part of your overall promotion strategy. Your website must conform at all times to Counselor's brand standard and image. If Counselor determines, in its sole discretion, that your website does not conform to Counselor's brand standard or image, you will alter or remove such website, as directed in writing by
Counselor. Your use of the our trademarks on your website must conform at all times to the requirements set forth in the Franchise Agreement. Counselor does not currently require your website to be approved by Counselor prior to you using it, but reserves the right to review and approve your website (and to require you to alter or cease using all or any portion of such website it does not approve).
Source: Item 11 — FRANCHISOR'S ASSISTANCE, ADVERTISING, COMPUTER SYSTEMS AND TRAINING (FDD pages 17–21)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Counselor Realty's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, if franchisees choose to develop their own website as part of their promotion strategy, their use of Counselor Realty's trademarks on their website must conform to the requirements set forth in the Franchise Agreement. While Counselor Realty does not currently require website approval before use, it retains the right to review and approve the website and demand alterations or removal of any disapproved content. This policy ensures that all franchisee websites align with Counselor Realty's brand standards and image.
This means that while franchisees have the freedom to create their own websites, they must adhere to the brand's guidelines as outlined in the Franchise Agreement. It is the franchisee's responsibility to ensure their website complies with these standards. Counselor Realty's right to review and approve websites provides an additional layer of quality control, protecting the brand's reputation.
Prospective franchisees should carefully review the Franchise Agreement to understand the specific requirements for trademark usage on their websites. They should also be prepared to make changes to their website if Counselor Realty deems it necessary to maintain brand consistency. This requirement is typical in franchising, as franchisors need to protect their brand identity across all franchisee locations and marketing materials.