Under the Hydrodog Franchise Agreement, is a website considered advertising?
Hydrodog Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
All Websites (as defined below) are managed exclusively by HydroDog web designers and are considered "advertising" under the Franchise Agreement, subject to our review and prior written approval before use. This management includes access to the resource center, store, and vendor list. As used in the Franchise Agreement, the term "Website" means an interactive electronic document contained in a network of computers linked by communications software that you operate or authorize others to operate and that refers to your HydroDog Business, Marks, us, or the System. The term Website includes Internet and World Wide Web home pages. In connection with any Website, the Franchise Agreement provides that you may not establish a Website, nor may you offer, promote, or sell any products or services, or make any use of the Proprietary Mark, through the Internet without our prior written approval. As a condition to granting any consent, we will have the right to establish any requirement that we deem appropriate, including a requirement that your only presence on the Internet will be through one or more web pages that we establish on our Website.
We will also have the right to establish a website or other electronic system providing private and secure communications (such as an intranet) between us, our franchisees, and other persons and entities that we determine appropriate. If we require, you must establish and maintain access to the intranet in the manner we designate. Additionally, we may periodically prepare agreements and policies concerning the use of the intranet that you must acknowledge and/or sign.
Any digital platforms we establish or maintain, including but not limited to websites, apps, or other ecommerce channels, may serve multiple functions, including advertising and promoting HydroDog products, programs, and services, as well as marketing HydroDog franchise opportunities. We exclusively retain all rights to electronic commerce, and these platforms will be managed by our designated web designers.
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, websites are considered advertising under the Franchise Agreement. All websites are managed exclusively by HydroDog web designers and are subject to Hydrodog's review and prior written approval before use. This includes access to the resource center, store, and vendor list.
The term "Website" is defined as an interactive electronic document contained in a network of computers linked by communications software that the franchisee operates or authorizes others to operate, referring to the HydroDog Business, Marks, HydroDog, or the System. This definition includes Internet and World Wide Web home pages. Franchisees are prohibited from establishing a Website or using the Proprietary Mark through the Internet without prior written approval from HydroDog.
HydroDog retains the right to set requirements for any consent, potentially requiring that the franchisee's only Internet presence be through web pages established by HydroDog on their own Website. HydroDog also has the right to establish a website or other electronic system for private communications between HydroDog, its franchisees, and other entities. If required, franchisees must establish and maintain access to this intranet as designated by HydroDog. Any digital platforms, including websites and apps, may serve multiple functions, including advertising HydroDog products and marketing franchise opportunities, with all rights to electronic commerce retained exclusively by HydroDog and managed by their web designers.