Can Crisp & Green discontinue the System Website?
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.
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 required to include the System Website's URL on all marketing materials they develop for their franchised restaurant. However, Crisp & Green retains the right to maintain websites other than the System Website and to sell products and services under the brand's trademarks through any website without any obligation to the franchisee.
Furthermore, the FDD states that nothing limits Crisp & Green's 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. This suggests that while franchisees must promote the System Website, Crisp & Green has the autonomy to operate other websites and conduct online sales without sharing revenue or providing compensation to franchisees.
While the document does not explicitly state that Crisp & Green can discontinue the System Website, it does emphasize Crisp & Green's control over online presence and sales. A prospective franchisee should seek clarification from Crisp & Green regarding the circumstances under which the System Website might be discontinued and what alternatives would be provided to franchisees for online marketing and sales in such a case.