Can Mr. Sandless require that a franchisee's only presence on the Internet be through web pages established on Mr. Sandless's website?
Mr_Sandless Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
- 13.3.3 In connection with any Website, you may not establish a Website related to the Proprietary Marks or the System, 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.
Source: Item 22 — CONTRACTS (FDD page 42)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Mr. Sandless's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, Mr. Sandless has the right to require that a franchisee's only presence on the Internet be through web pages that Mr. Sandless establishes on its website. Specifically, Mr. Sandless must provide prior written approval before a franchisee can establish a website related to the Mr. Sandless brand or system. As a condition of granting consent, Mr. Sandless can require that the franchisee's sole internet presence be through web pages established by Mr. Sandless on their own website.
This means that as a Mr. Sandless franchisee, you might not be allowed to create your own independent website or online presence without explicit permission from Mr. Sandless. Mr. Sandless maintains control over the brand's online image and marketing strategies. This is a fairly common practice in franchising, as franchisors want to ensure brand consistency and control the customer experience.
This policy extends to social media, as franchisees are strictly prohibited from promoting their Mr. Sandless business or using the company's proprietary marks on social media or networking websites without prior written approval. Even cooperative listings with other Mr. Sandless franchisees require prior written approval. Furthermore, franchisees are prohibited from using personal social media accounts to promote the franchised business.
These restrictions are important for prospective franchisees to consider, as they significantly limit a franchisee's autonomy in online marketing and advertising. Franchisees need to be aware that failing to get approval prior to using any piece of marketing, including online efforts, can result in a fine of $500 per occurrence.