What is the Degree Wellness franchisee's obligation if they propose a material revision to their website?
Degree_Wellness Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
(4) If you propose any material revision to the Website or any of the information contained on the Website, you will submit each such revision to us for our prior written approval.
- b.
We reserve the right to require you to use a Website controlled by us and to require you to use search engine optimization services.
Further, we may establish a Website or a series of Websites for our System and Studios (collectively, the "System Website").
If we include information about the Franchised Business on the System Website, you agree to give us the information and materials that we may periodically request concerning the Franchised Business, and to otherwise participate in the System Website in the manner that we may periodically require.
By posting or submitting to us information or materials for the System Website, you are representing to us that the information and materials are accurate, not misleading, and do not infringe on any third party's rights.
We shall own all intellectual property and other rights in the System Website and all information it contains.
We may implement and periodically modify standards relating to the System Website and, at our option, may discontinue the System Website at any time.
If we establish a System Website, all advertising, marketing, and promotional materials that you develop for your Franchised Business must contain the URL of the System Website in the manner that we periodically may designate.
- c.
We have contracted with third-parties to provide Website design, maintenance, hosting, and search engine optimization for our franchises and for the System Website, and certain technologyrelated annual conference expenses.
You are required to use all of these services and are required to pay us a monthly fee, in an amount to be determined by us from time to time, for these services (the "Technology Fee").
We will pay the third-party providers directly.
The amount you pay us may be less or more than the amount we pay to the third-party providers and may be used to offset internal costs related to the stated purposes of the Technology Fee.
Source: Item 23 — Receipts (FDD pages 66–257)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Degree Wellness's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, if a franchisee proposes any material revision to their website or the information contained on it, they must submit each revision to Degree Wellness for prior written approval. This requirement ensures that all online content associated with the Degree Wellness brand aligns with the company's standards and marketing strategies.
This stipulation is common in franchising, as franchisors like Degree Wellness need to maintain brand consistency and control over the messaging presented to the public. By requiring franchisees to seek approval for website revisions, Degree Wellness can prevent unauthorized or inappropriate content from being published, which could potentially harm the brand's reputation.
Furthermore, Degree Wellness retains the right to require franchisees to use a website controlled by them and to utilize search engine optimization services. They may also establish a System Website for all franchises, and if the franchisee's business is included, they must provide requested information and materials and participate as required. All advertising, marketing, and promotional materials developed by the franchisee must include the URL of the System Website as designated by Degree Wellness. These measures allow Degree Wellness to manage the online presence of the entire franchise system effectively.
Degree Wellness also contracts with third parties to provide website design, maintenance, hosting, and search engine optimization services. Franchisees are required to use these services and pay a monthly Technology Fee, the amount of which is determined by Degree Wellness. This fee is used to pay the third-party providers directly and may also offset internal costs related to these technology services. The amount franchisees pay may be less or more than what Degree Wellness pays to the third-party providers.