Will Devon Creek establish a social media presence on behalf of the franchisee?
Devon_Creek Franchise · 2024 FDDAnswer from 2024 FDD Document
Except for the social media presence that we will establish on your behalf, you are not permitted to promote your Franchised Business or use any of the Marks in any manner on any social or networking websites, such as Facebook, Instagram, Tik Tok, LinkedIn, Twitter, Snapchat, personal blogs, virtual worlds, audio and video-sharing sites, and other similar social networking or media sites or tools (collectively, "social media") without our prior written consent. We will control all social media initiatives. You must comply with our System standards regarding the use of social media in your Franchised Business's operation, including prohibitions on your employees posting or blogging comments about the Franchised Business or the System, other than on a website established or authorized by us. You will not be given access to branded social media pages/handles/assets, as these will be maintained by us. We reserve the right to conduct collective/national campaigns via social media on your behalf.
Source: Item 11 — FRANCHISOR'S ASSISTANCE, ADVERTISING, COMPUTER SYSTEMS AND TRAINING (FDD pages 24–32)
What This Means (2024 FDD)
According to Devon Creek's 2024 Franchise Disclosure Document, Devon Creek will establish a social media presence on behalf of the franchisee. The FDD states that franchisees are not permitted to promote their Franchised Business or use any of the Marks in any manner on any social or networking websites without Devon Creek's prior written consent, with the exception of the social media presence that Devon Creek will establish on the franchisee's behalf. Devon Creek will control all social media initiatives. Franchisees will not be given access to branded social media pages/handles/assets, as these will be maintained by Devon Creek. Devon Creek reserves the right to conduct collective/national campaigns via social media on the franchisee's behalf.
This means that Devon Creek franchisees will not have direct control over their social media presence. Instead, Devon Creek will manage the branded social media accounts and content. This approach ensures brand consistency and allows Devon Creek to control the overall marketing message. However, it also means that franchisees will need to rely on Devon Creek to effectively promote their local business through social media.
While Devon Creek manages the primary social media presence, franchisees are still required to engage in local advertising. Franchisees are required to spend $1,000 per month on local advertising to promote their Franchised Business until they reach $250k in annual revenue. After that, they are required to spend the greater of three percent (3%) of monthly Gross Revenue generated by the Franchised Business or $1,000 per month on Local Advertising. Devon Creek may increase the minimum local advertising expenditure, in their reasonable discretion. Franchisees must also list the Franchised Business in local business directories, including, but not limited to, listings on Internet search engines.
Prospective franchisees should inquire about Devon Creek's social media strategy, the types of content that will be shared, and how franchisees can provide input or contribute to the social media presence. It is also important to understand how Devon Creek measures the effectiveness of its social media campaigns and how franchisees can track the impact on their local business.