What efforts is an Engel & Volkers franchisee required to make to promote the Engel & Volkers system?
Engel_Volkers Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
- 6.6 Franchisee's Approved Location and Other Activities: Franchisee will use its best efforts to promote the ENGEL & VÖLKERS System.
Furthermore, to maintain the integrity of the ENGEL & VÖLKERS System, Franchisee is required, in accordance with this Agreement, to submit its proposed Residential Real Estate Brokerage location and exterior brokerage designs (renderings) in advance to Franchisor for approval.
Franchisee agrees and acknowledges that it must only have a Residential Real Estate Brokerage location and exterior brokerage designs (renderings) that are compliant with the ENGEL & VÖLKERS' System and System Documentation and that failure to do so will be a material breach of this Agreement.
Franchisee shall utilize only those design formats for advertising and displays which have been provided by Franchisor which are subject to ongoing improvement in the interests of Franchisee and the standardization of the ENGEL & VÖLKERS System. In the interests of standardizing the ENGEL & VÖLKERS System, Franchisee shall obtain the prior written consent of Franchisor to each and every advertising and/or sales promotion campaign design format unless it does not essentially depart from those previously practiced or recommended by Franchisor and/or does not deviate from those outlined in the System Documentation. In order to ensure uniform application of the ENGEL & VÖLKERS System, Franchisee must obtain Franchisor's prior written consent to every planned advertising and promotional design format which differs significantly from the type of activity practiced or recommended by Franchisor and/or from the instructions contained in the System Documentation.
Additionally, Franchisee is not permitted to use any text, copy, photography, images, sound, and/or video to promote its services and/or listings unless Franchisee has proper authorization or a license to do so on any websites, mobile applications, other electronic media, public relations initiatives, social media, photography, any other advertising, marketing or any other business measures. Franchisee agrees to refrain from any business or advertising practice which might injure Franchisor's business or the goodwill associated with the ENGEL & VÖLKERS System or Trademarks.
Franchisor shall be entitled to set requirements and restrictions on advertising, promotion and other activities that it determines, in its sole discretion, negatively impacts the business
of one or more other franchisees or that is specifically targeted or directed towards the protected areas of one or more other franchisees. Such requirements and restrictions are intended to balance the ability of franchisees to freely compete in the marketplace and the right of a franchisee to operate within its protected area without undue interference from other franchisees, and Franchisor shall have full discretion in its determination of such balance. Franchisee agrees to comply with all such requirements and restrictions.
10.1 Public Relations: Franchisee will be responsible for Franchisee's own local media public relations in compliance with the ENGEL & VÖLKERS System Documentation. However, Franchisor may provide support from time to time in the form of regional public relations and assistance to Franchisee in general Public Relations activities.
10.2 GG Magazine: Franchisor will provide Franchisee from time to time with copies of the GG Magazine for its Approved Location with the cost to be borne by the National
12.2 Exchange of Information: The parties hereby mutually agree to exchange ideas and suggestions for amendments and improvements to the ENGEL & VÖLKERS System.
Franchisee hereby agrees to inform Franchisor of all experience gained during use of the ENGEL & VÖLKERS System and the rights under this Agreement, and to allow Franchisor and other ENGEL & VÖLKERS franchisees to use the know-how gained from its experience free of charge.
Privacy Policy Notices, Disclosure Notices, and Opt-Out notices, as well as matters relating or incidental thereto. Franchisee must adopt and implement all such policies and practices in accordance with written instructions in a timely manner.
Source: Item 22 — CONTRACTS (FDD page 88)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Engel & Volkers's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, franchisees must use their best efforts to promote the Engel & Volkers system. This includes submitting proposed Residential Real Estate Brokerage locations and exterior designs to Engel & Volkers for approval to maintain the integrity of the Engel & Volkers system. Franchisees must ensure their brokerage location and designs comply with Engel & Volkers' system and documentation, or it will be considered a breach of the agreement. Engel & Volkers also provides copies of GG Magazine for the franchisee's location, with the cost borne by the National Marketing Fund. Franchisees are responsible for their local media public relations in compliance with the Engel & Volkers System Documentation, although Engel & Volkers may offer support in regional public relations and general public relations activities. Engel & Volkers franchisees must also adopt and implement privacy policies and practices as instructed.
Engel & Volkers franchisees must use only the advertising and display design formats provided by Engel & Volkers, which are subject to ongoing improvement. Franchisees must obtain prior written consent from Engel & Volkers for each advertising and sales promotion campaign design format unless it does not significantly differ from those previously practiced or recommended by Engel & Volkers or outlined in the System Documentation. Prior written consent is required for any planned advertising and promotional design format that differs significantly from the type of activity practiced or recommended by Engel & Volkers or from the instructions in the System Documentation. Franchisees are not allowed to use any unauthorized text, copy, photography, images, sound, or video to promote their services or listings on websites, mobile applications, electronic media, public relations initiatives, social media, or any other advertising, marketing, or business measures. Franchisees must avoid any business or advertising practice that could harm Engel & Volkers' business or the goodwill associated with the Engel & Volkers system or trademarks.
Engel & Volkers is entitled to set requirements and restrictions on advertising, promotion, and other activities that it determines negatively impact other franchisees or are specifically targeted toward other franchisees' protected areas. These requirements and restrictions aim to balance franchisees' ability to compete freely in the marketplace with the right of a franchisee to operate within its protected area without undue interference from other franchisees. Franchisees must comply with all such requirements and restrictions. Franchisees also agree to inform Engel & Volkers of all experience gained during the use of the Engel & Volkers system and allow Engel & Volkers and other franchisees to use the know-how gained from their experience free of charge. The parties mutually agree to exchange ideas and suggestions for amendments and improvements to the Engel & Volkers system.