Can Petro Stopping Center restrict a franchisee's advertising activities to the use of only designated e-names?

According to the 2025 Petro Stopping Center Franchise Disclosure Document, Petro Stopping Center has the authority to restrict a franchisee's advertising activities to the use of only e-names that they designate. E-names are defined in the document as URLs, domain names, website addresses, metatags, links, keywords, email addresses, and social media accounts, essentially any means of electronic identification or origin. This gives Petro Stopping Center significant control over the franchisee's online presence and marketing efforts.

This restriction means that franchisees must adhere to Petro Stopping Center's approved list of e-names when conducting any form of advertising. This could impact a franchisee's ability to create unique or localized marketing campaigns if the designated e-names are too generic or do not align with their specific market. Franchisees need to be aware that they cannot freely choose their online branding and must work within the confines set by Petro Stopping Center.

Petro Stopping Center also has the right to control or designate the manner of a franchisee's use of all e-names, as well as the right to designate, approve, control, or limit all aspects of their use of e-commerce. This includes requiring franchisees to provide graphical, photographic, written, or other forms of artistic or literary content for use in e-commerce activities associated with the Marks or the Petro System. Franchisees must follow all of Petro Stopping Center's policies and procedures for the use and regulation of e-commerce, including those for customer referrals via e-commerce.

Overall, these stipulations grant Petro Stopping Center considerable power over a franchisee's digital marketing and online activities. Prospective franchisees should carefully consider these restrictions and discuss with Petro Stopping Center the extent to which they can influence or customize their online presence to effectively reach their target customers.