Must a Mr. Sandless franchisee obtain prior written approval before using a website?
Mr_Sandless Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
You may not advertise your Business or any products or services offered by the Business via the Internet without our prior written consent, which may be given or withheld in our sole discretion. Notwithstanding the foregoing, we recognize that certain methods of advertising (such as radio and television) may reach a larger audience outside of your Designated Territory and, in such event and provided you have offer other System franchisees the opportunity to participate in such advertising, you will not be in violation of this Agreement.
13.3 Internet Website
We may establish a website that provides information about the System and the Mr. Sandless products and services. We may use part of the monies from the Advertising Fund (described in Section 13.4 below) that we collect under this Agreement to pay or reimburse the costs associated with the development, maintenance and update of such website. We will be the webmaster, either directly or through a third party, and we have sole discretion and control over such website. You are not permitted to maintain an individual website related to the Business, or to establish a uniform resource locator (URL) incorporating
any variation of the "Mr. Sandless" name or the Proprietary Marks, without our prior written approval, which we are not required to provide.
Source: Item 22 — CONTRACTS (FDD page 42)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Mr. Sandless's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, franchisees must obtain prior written approval from Mr. Sandless before advertising their business or services on the internet. This includes maintaining an individual website or using a URL with any variation of the "Mr. Sandless" name or proprietary marks. Mr. Sandless is not required to provide this approval.
Mr. Sandless may establish a website providing information about the Mr. Sandless system, products, and services. Mr. Sandless will control this website, acting as the webmaster directly or through a third party, and may use advertising funds to cover the costs of development, maintenance, and updates.
Failure to obtain approval before using any marketing material, including online efforts, can result in a fine of $500 per occurrence. This underscores the importance of adhering to Mr. Sandless's marketing guidelines and obtaining necessary approvals to avoid penalties and ensure brand consistency.