Can I develop my own website for my Crisp & Green Franchised Restaurant without approval?
Crisp_Green Franchise · 2024 FDDAnswer from 2024 FDD Document
hrough the System Website, at any time.
All advertising, marketing, and promotional materials that you develop for the Franchised Restaurant must contain notices of the System Website's URL in the manner we periodically designate. You may not develop, maintain, or authorize any other website, other online presence or other electronic medium that mentions or describes the Franchised Restaurant or displays any of the Marks without our prior approval. You may not conduct commerce or directly or indirectly offer or sell any products or services relating to the Franchised Restaurant using any website, another electronic means or medium, or otherwise over the internet without our consent. Nothing limits our right to maintain websites other than the System Website or to offer and sell products and services under the Marks from the System Website,
another website, or otherwise over the internet without payment or other obligation. (Franchise Agreement – Section 10.02)
You must comply with our System Standards regarding the use of social media in your Franchised Restaurant's operation, including prohibitions on your and the Franchised Restaurant's employees posting or blogging comments about the Franchised Restaurant or the System, other than on a website established or authorized by us ("social media" includes personal blogs, common social networks like Facebook, professional networks like LinkedIn, live-blogging tools like Twitter, SnapChat, TikTok, or Instagram, virtual worlds, file, audio and video-sharing sites, and other similar social networking or media sites or tools).
Source: Item 11 — FRANCHISOR'S ASSISTANCE, ADVERTISING, COMPUTER SYSTEMS, AND TRAINING (FDD pages 33–44)
What This Means (2024 FDD)
According to Crisp & Green's 2024 Franchise Disclosure Document, franchisees are restricted from independently creating websites for their franchise. All advertising and marketing materials must include the URL for Crisp & Green's system website. Franchisees need to obtain prior approval from Crisp & Green before developing, maintaining, or authorizing any other website or online presence that mentions the franchised restaurant or displays any of Crisp & Green's trademarks.
This requirement ensures that all online representations of the Crisp & Green brand are consistent and align with the company's standards. Franchisees cannot conduct commerce or offer/sell products or services related to the restaurant through any unauthorized website or electronic medium without explicit consent from Crisp & Green.
Crisp & Green retains the right to maintain its own websites and sell products/services under its trademarks without any obligation to compensate franchisees. Additionally, franchisees must adhere to Crisp & Green's system standards regarding social media usage, which includes restrictions on posting or blogging about the restaurant or system, except on platforms established or authorized by Crisp & Green. This includes personal blogs and common social networks.