Does Counselor Realty reserve the right to review and approve a franchisee's 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 promotion strategy. While Counselor Realty does not currently require franchisees to have their websites approved before use, they reserve the right to review and approve a franchisee's website. If Counselor Realty determines that a franchisee's website does not conform to their brand standard or image, the franchisee will be required to alter or remove the website as directed in writing by Counselor Realty.
This means that while franchisees have some autonomy in creating their own website, Counselor Realty retains control over brand standards and image. A prospective franchisee should carefully review Counselor Realty's brand standards and image guidelines to ensure their website complies. Failure to comply could result in the franchisee having to alter or remove their website, potentially incurring additional costs and disrupting their online presence.
It is common in franchising for franchisors to have the right to review and approve franchisee advertising and marketing materials, including websites, to ensure brand consistency and protect the brand's reputation. Prospective franchisees should inquire about the specific criteria Counselor Realty uses to evaluate websites and the process for submitting websites for review.