What constitutes a 'Direct Solicitation' that a Deer Solution franchisee cannot engage in outside of their Operating Territory?
Deer_Solution Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
- (a) You cannot engage in any Direct Solicitations outside of your Operating Territory. The term "Direct Solicitation" refers to and means "communications and/or contacts occurring through in person contact, telephone, mail, e-mail, direct mail, distributed print media, digital media and/or other forms of marketing directed toward customers, potential customers, or referral sources of a Deer Solution Business;
Source: Item 12 — TERRITORY (FDD pages 35–37)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Deer Solution's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, a franchisee is restricted from engaging in 'Direct Solicitations' outside of their designated Operating Territory. Direct Solicitation is defined broadly as any form of communication or contact aimed at attracting customers, potential customers, or referral sources to a Deer Solution Business.
This definition encompasses a wide array of marketing methods, including in-person interactions, telephone calls, postal mail, email campaigns, direct mail initiatives, distributed print media, and various forms of digital media. Essentially, any marketing effort specifically targeting individuals or entities outside the franchisee's territory to promote Deer Solution's services falls under the umbrella of 'Direct Solicitation'.
This restriction is in place to protect the territorial rights of other Deer Solution franchisees. By preventing franchisees from actively soliciting business outside their assigned area, Deer Solution aims to minimize competition and ensure that each franchisee has the opportunity to develop a strong customer base within their own territory. Franchisees are permitted to provide services in 'Open Areas' with written approval from Deer Solution. However, once an Open Area becomes an Assigned Area, the franchisee must cease providing services there and turn over customer information to Deer Solution for the benefit of the new franchisee.