May Pump It Up charge a fee for developing, reviewing, and approving a franchisee's website?
Pump_It_Up Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
You may not use the Marks as part of any internet domain name, email address, social media account or other profile name, or in any way relating to the operation of any website or any account without our prior written consent. We may grant or withhold our consent in our sole discretion, or we may condition our consent on such requirements as we deem appropriate, including, among other things, that you obtain our prior written approval of: (1) any and all internet domain names and URLs related to the Franchised Business; (2) the proposed form and content (including any visible and non-visible content such as metatags) of any website related to the Franchised Business; (3) your use of any hyperlinks or other links; (4) your use of any materials (including text, video clips, photographs, images and sound bites) in which any third party has an ownership interest; and (5) any proposed modification of your website. We may designate the form and content of your website and/or require that any such website be hosted by us or a third party designated by us, using one or more websites that we own and/or control. In addition, we may require you to establish hyperlinks to our website or another website designated by us. We may charge you a fee for developing, reviewing, and approving your website and/or for hosting the website.
Source: Item 13 — TRADEMARKS (FDD pages 43–45)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Pump It Up's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, Pump It Up has the right to charge franchisees a fee for developing, reviewing, and approving their websites. This also extends to hosting the website, giving Pump It Up significant control over the franchisee's online presence.
Pump It Up maintains broad discretion over a franchisee's website. Franchisees must obtain prior written approval from Pump It Up for all internet domain names and URLs, the website's content, the use of hyperlinks, and any modifications to the website. Pump It Up can also designate the website's form and content, and require that the website be hosted by Pump It Up or a third party that they designate.
This level of control is common in franchising, as franchisors seek to maintain brand consistency and quality across all locations. However, it's important for prospective Pump It Up franchisees to understand the potential costs associated with these website-related fees and the limitations on their ability to customize their online presence. Franchisees should inquire about the typical range of these fees and the specific criteria Pump It Up uses to evaluate and approve franchisee websites.