Does Marble Slab Creamery retain ownership of computer programs and code used for its website?

According to the 2025 Marble Slab Creamery Franchise Disclosure Document, Marble Slab Creamery retains full ownership of its website and associated digital assets. Specifically, Marble Slab Creamery owns the domain names associated with the brand, such as "Marble Slab Creamery.com", "Marble Slab Creamery.net", "Marble Slab Creamerychina.com", "Marble Slab Creamery.cn" and "Marble Slab Creamery.com.cn".

As a franchisee, you are prohibited from creating any online presence that uses Marble Slab Creamery's proprietary marks without prior written consent from the franchisor. Even with consent, your online activities must adhere to Marble Slab Creamery's established procedures, policies, standards, and specifications. This ensures brand consistency and uniformity across all digital platforms.

Marble Slab Creamery maintains complete control over the design, content, and functionality of its websites and can modify or terminate them without liability to the franchisee. While franchisees may be allowed to customize certain interior pages with their restaurant's information, this is subject to Marble Slab Creamery's approval and adherence to their guidelines. This level of control allows Marble Slab Creamery to manage its brand image and online presence effectively, but it also means franchisees have limited autonomy over their digital marketing efforts.