What are HydroDog franchisees required to comply with regarding the use of social media in their HydroDog Business's operation?
Hydrodog Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
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 X, without our prior written consent. We will provide you with access to branded social media pages, handles, and assets, which you are required to update regularly. 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, X or Snapchat. You must comply with our System standards regarding the use of social media in your HydroDog Business's operation, including prohibitions on your and the Business's employees posting or blogging comments about the Business or the System, other than on a website or social media platform 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 X, 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. We reserve the right to conduct collective/national campaigns via local social media on your behalf. In addition, only we may respond to reviews of HydroDog businesses that are posted on Yelp, TripAdvisor and similar Websites. (Franchise Agreement, Section 12.10)
Source: Item 11 — FRANCHISOR'S ASSISTANCE, ADVERTISING, COMPUTER SYSTEMS AND TRAINING (FDD pages 22–30)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to HydroDog's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, franchisees face specific requirements regarding social media use for their business. Franchisees are not allowed to promote their HydroDog business or use any of HydroDog's trademarks on social media or networking sites like Facebook, LinkedIn, or X without prior written consent from HydroDog. HydroDog will provide access to branded social media pages, handles, and assets, which franchisees must update regularly.
HydroDog maintains control over all internet activities related to the HydroDog system, including social media pages on platforms like Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and Snapchat. Franchisees must adhere to HydroDog's system standards for social media use, which includes restrictions on franchisees and their employees posting or blogging about the business or system, except on platforms authorized by HydroDog. These standards apply broadly to personal blogs, social networks, professional networks, live-blogging tools, and other similar sites.
HydroDog reserves the right to conduct national campaigns via local social media on behalf of franchisees. Furthermore, only HydroDog is authorized to respond to reviews of HydroDog businesses posted on platforms like Yelp and TripAdvisor. This indicates that HydroDog aims to maintain a consistent brand image and manage online reputation centrally, limiting the franchisee's direct control over online interactions and marketing messages.