Must a Hydrodog franchisee comply with Hydrodog's policies regarding the creation, maintenance, and content of web pages?
Hydrodog Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
source center, store, and vendor list. We shall have the sole right to control all aspects of the Website, including without limitation its design, content, functionality, links to the websites of third parties, legal notices, and policies and terms of usage; we shall also have the right to discontinue operation of the website.
- (b) We shall have the right, but not the obligation, to designate one or more web page(s) to describe you and/or your HydroDog Business, with such web page(s) to be located within our Website. You shall comply with our policies with respect to the creation, maintenance and content of any such web pages; and we shall have the exclusive right to refuse to post and/or discontinue posting any content and/or the operation of any web page.
- (c) You shall not establish, maintain, or operate any separate Website, mobile application, digital platform, social media account, online marketplace listing, or other online presence whatsoever relating to your HydroDog Business or using the Marks (or any variation thereof) without our prior written approval (which we shall not be obligated to provide). This includes, but is not limited to, registering any domain names, usernames, handles, or other digital identifiers that contain any of the Marks or variations thereof. If approved to establish a Website, you shall comply with our policies, standards and specifications with respect to the creation, maintenance and content of any such Website. You specifically acknowledge and agree that any Website owned or maintained by or for your benefit shall be deemed "advertising" under this Agreement, and will be subject to (among other things) our approval under Section 13 below.
- (d) You are not permitted to promote your HydroDog Business or use any of the Marks in any manner on any social or networking websites, such as Facebook, LinkedIn or Twitter, without our prior written consent. We alone may establish, maintain, modify or discontinue all
internet activities pertaining to the System, including through the use of a page or profile on a social media website such as Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter or Snapchat. You must comply with our System standards regarding the use of social media in your HydroDog Business' operation, including prohibitions on you and your HydroDog Business' employees posting or blogging comments about your HydroDog Business or the System, other than on a website established or authorized by us ("social media" includes personal blogs, common social networks like Facebook and Instagram, professional networks like LinkedIn, live-blogging tools like Twitter, virtual worlds, file, audio and video-sharing sites, and other similar social networking or media sites or tools). We will provide access to branded social media pages/handles/assets, and you must update these regularly as specified in our social media policies. You acknowledge that we have the exclusive right to execute collective or national campaigns through your local social media accounts on your behalf. We reserve the exclusive right to conduct collective/national campaigns via local social media on your behalf.
Source: Item 23 — RECEIPTS (FDD pages 43–166)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to the 2025 Hydrodog FDD, if Hydrodog designates a web page to describe a franchisee's Hydrodog business within Hydrodog's website, the franchisee must comply with Hydrodog's policies regarding the creation, maintenance, and content of that web page. Hydrodog retains the exclusive right to refuse to post or discontinue any content or web page operation.
Additionally, franchisees cannot establish or maintain any separate website, mobile application, digital platform, social media account, online marketplace listing, or other online presence related to their Hydrodog business or using Hydrodog's marks without prior written approval from Hydrodog. This includes registering domain names or digital identifiers containing Hydrodog's marks. If a franchisee is approved to establish a website, they must comply with Hydrodog's policies, standards, and specifications for its creation, maintenance, and content. Any website owned or maintained by the franchisee is considered advertising and is subject to Hydrodog's approval.
Furthermore, franchisees are not allowed to promote their Hydrodog business or use Hydrodog's marks on social media websites without Hydrodog's prior written consent. Hydrodog has the exclusive right to manage all internet activities related to the Hydrodog system, including social media pages. Franchisees must adhere to Hydrodog's system standards for social media use, including restrictions on posting comments about their Hydrodog business or the system, except on websites authorized by Hydrodog. Hydrodog will provide access to branded social media pages, which franchisees must update regularly as specified in Hydrodog's social media policies. Hydrodog also retains the right to execute collective or national campaigns through the franchisee's local social media accounts and respond to any reviews of Hydrodog businesses posted on websites like Yelp or TripAdvisor.