If a Hydrodog franchisee chooses to conduct local advertising, what standards must it comply with?
Hydrodog Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
Cooperative members' inability or failure, within 45 days, to resolve any issue affecting the Cooperative's establishment or effective functioning, upon request of any Cooperative member, that issue must be submitted to us for consideration, and our resolution of such issue is final and binding on all Cooperative members.
- 12.9 Local Advertising Expenditures. In addition to any Marketing Funds set forth herein, you may, but are not required to, conduct advertising for the HydroDog Business in your Territory ("Local Advertising"), provided that all such advertising is in compliance with our standards and has been approved by us in writing. If you choose to conduct Local Advertising, you shall submit to us within thirty (30) days of our request, advertising expenditure reports accurately reflecting your Local Advertising expenditures, including verification copies of all advertising and any other information that we require.
12.10 Websites and Social Media.
As used in this Agreement, the term "Website" means an interactive electronic document within a network of computers linked by communications software. This includes any online presence that references your HydroDog Business, our Marks, or the System, whether operated by you or authorized others, and includes any associated social media pages or accounts. The term Website includes, but is not limited to, Internet and World Wide Web home pages. In connection with any Website, Franchisee agrees to the following:
- (a) We shall have the exclusive right, but not the obligation, to establish and maintain a Website, which shall be managed by HydroDog web designers and may, without limitation, promote the Proprietary Marks, any or all of the Products or Services, HydroDog businesses, the franchising of HydroDog Businesses, and/or the System. This includes management of the resource center, store, and vendor list.
Source: Item 23 — RECEIPTS (FDD pages 43–166)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Hydrodog's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, if a franchisee chooses to conduct local advertising for their HydroDog Business in their territory, they must ensure that all such advertising complies with Hydrodog's standards and receives written approval from Hydrodog. Within thirty days of Hydrodog's request, the franchisee must submit advertising expenditure reports that accurately reflect their local advertising expenditures. These reports should include verification copies of all advertising materials and any other information that Hydrodog requires.
Hydrodog also maintains control over how franchisees can advertise or use the Hydrodog marks on the internet or through other telecommunication advertising methods. Franchisees must obtain express written consent from Hydrodog before engaging in such advertising activities. Hydrodog reserves the right to require franchisees to include specific language in their local advertising, such as "Franchises Available" and/or "Each Franchise Location Independently Owned and Operated," along with references to Hydrodog's telephone number and/or website.
Furthermore, all advertising by Hydrodog franchisees must comply with all applicable laws and regulations. This ensures that the advertising is not misleading, deceptive, or in violation of any consumer protection laws. Hydrodog also has specific standards regarding the use of social media in the HydroDog Business' operation, including prohibitions on franchisees and their employees posting or blogging comments about their HydroDog Business or the System, other than on a website established or authorized by Hydrodog. This 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.