Can Counselor Realty require a franchisee to remove only a portion of 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, franchisees have the option to develop their own website as part of their overall promotion strategy. However, this website must always conform to Counselor Realty's brand standard and image. Counselor Realty retains the right to review and approve a franchisee's website.
Specifically, if Counselor Realty determines, in its sole discretion, that a franchisee's website does not conform to their brand standard or image, Counselor Realty can direct the franchisee in writing to alter or remove all or any portion of such website that it does not approve. This means that Counselor Realty does not necessarily have to demand the complete removal of a non-compliant website; they can instead require specific changes or the removal of particular sections that violate their standards.
This policy gives Counselor Realty significant control over the online presence of its franchisees, ensuring brand consistency. It also places the onus on the franchisee to maintain a website that aligns with the franchisor's standards, and to be responsive to any directives from Counselor Realty regarding alterations or removals. While Counselor Realty does not currently require approval before a franchisee uses their website, they reserve the right to implement this requirement in the future.