What restrictions may Engel & Volkers place on advertising activities?
Engel_Volkers Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
You will be responsible for your own local advertising. You must comply with the instructions contained in the System Documentation. You may only use advertising materials and displays prescribed and approved by us. You must obtain our prior written consent for any advertising or sales promotion campaign, unless the advertising or campaign design format does not essentially depart from those previously practiced or recommended by us or outlined in the System Documentation. We may set requirements and restrictions on advertising, promotion and other activities that we determine, in our 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.
You are not permitted to have an individual franchisee website. You may choose, however, to promote your business via alternate online strategies consistent with the Engel & Völkers' online policy. We have the right to review all online content on social media sites, blogs, in electronic communications and on other online sites on which our Trademarks are used to protect the reputation and high quality associated with our Trademarks. We may require you to remove any questionable usage or content involving our Trademarks. We may also require you to cease using our Trademarks at all on such sites.
Within 3 months of opening your Residential Real Estate Brokerage, you must hold an opening public relations event, at your own expense, in accordance with the guidelines set out in the System Documentation.
Source: Item 11 — FRANCHISOR'S ASSISTANCE, ADVERTISING, COMPUTER SYSTEMS, AND TRAINING (FDD pages 43–54)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Engel & Volkers' 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, franchisees are responsible for their own local advertising but must adhere to specific guidelines and restrictions set by Engel & Volkers. Franchisees must use only advertising materials and displays that Engel & Volkers prescribes and approves. Any advertising or sales promotion campaign requires Engel & Volkers' prior written consent, unless it aligns with previously approved formats or those outlined in the System Documentation. Engel & Volkers retains control over advertising content and can restrict activities that negatively impact other franchisees or target their protected areas.
Engel & Volkers maintains the right to review all online content, including social media, blogs, and electronic communications, where their trademarks are used. This review ensures the protection of the brand's reputation and quality. Franchisees may be required to remove questionable content or cease using the trademarks on such sites altogether.
Engel & Volkers also manages a National Marketing and Technology Fund, which franchisees contribute to monthly. Engel & Volkers determines the cost, media, content, format, timing, concentration, and exposure of advertising campaigns and technology programs funded by this fund. Franchisees are not permitted to have individual websites but can promote their business through alternative online strategies that comply with Engel & Volkers' online policy. Within three months of opening, franchisees must hold a public relations event at their own expense, following the guidelines in the System Documentation.