Does Lees Famous Recipe retain the right to promote Lees Famous Recipe Restaurants on the Internet?
Lees_Famous_Recipe Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
any third party which operates businesses that are the same as or similar to the Restaurant or other Lee's Famous Recipe Restaurants regardless of whether such businesses are located within or outside the Designated Territory; and
-
- to promote the System and the Restaurants generally, including on the Internet (or any other existing or future form of one or more electronic commerce) and to create, operate, maintain and modify, or discontinue the use of websites using the Marks;
-
- to all other rights not explicitly granted to you under the Franchise Agreement and, if applicable, the Area Development Agreement.
We recommend that you concentrate all advertising and other solicitation of customers inside the local geographic area of your Restaurant(s).
Source: Item 12 — TERRITORY (FDD pages 47–50)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to the 2025 Lees Famous Recipe Franchise Disclosure Document, Lees Famous Recipe retains specific rights regarding the promotion of its restaurants, including online activities. Lees Famous Recipe reserves the right to promote the System and the Restaurants generally, including on the Internet, and to create, operate, maintain, modify, or discontinue the use of websites using the Marks. However, franchisees are restricted from promoting or selling products or services through other channels of distribution, including the Internet.
This means that while Lees Famous Recipe controls the overall online presence and promotion of the brand, individual franchisees are generally not permitted to independently market or sell Lees Famous Recipe products online. This is a fairly common arrangement in franchising, designed to maintain brand consistency and control marketing efforts at the corporate level.
This policy has several implications for franchisees. On one hand, it relieves them of the burden of managing their own online marketing campaigns, as Lees Famous Recipe handles the overall strategy. On the other hand, it limits their ability to directly engage in online sales or promotions, potentially missing out on local online marketing opportunities. Prospective franchisees should inquire about the specifics of Lees Famous Recipe's online marketing strategy and how it supports individual restaurant locations. Franchisees should also clarify the extent to which they can participate in local online marketing initiatives within the guidelines set by Lees Famous Recipe.