Where can complaints concerning the content of the Pump It Up website be directed?
Pump_It_Up Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
You may not develop, maintain, or authorize any website that mentions or
describes you or the Franchised Business or displays any of the Marks without our prior express written consent. Your advertising, promotion, and marketing must be completely clear, factual, and not misleading, and conform to both the highest standards of ethical advertising and marketing and the advertising and marketing policies that we prescribe from time to time. You may not use direct advertising and marketing to customers located in the protected area of another Pump It Up Business franchisee. If you have a Protected Area, you may only use direct advertising and marketing or utilize applicable social media platforms directed at customers located within your Protected Area.
- (3) You may purchase local advertising and promotional materials from us or any source that is consistent with System Standards.
Periodically, we may provide to you samples of advertising, marketing, and promotional forms and materials at no cost.
If you purchase marketing materials from a source other than us or our affiliates, these materials must comply with federal and local laws and regulations and with the guidelines for advertising and promotion promulgated from time to time by us and otherwise be compliant with System Standards.
To the extent that we learn of any materials that are not compliant with the obligations set forth herein, we reserve the right to prohibit you from using such materials or language in any advertising and promotion.
- (4) Your advertising and promotional materials may not contain any statement or material which, in our sole discretion, may be considered: (a) in bad taste or offensive to the public or to any group of persons; (b) defamatory or an attack on any competitor; (c) to infringe upon the use, without permission, of any other trade name, trademark, service mark or identification; or (d) inconsistent with our public image or that of the System.
You acknowledge and agree that any and all copyright in and to advertising and promotional materials developed by you or on your behalf will be our sole property, and you must execute such documents (and, if necessary, require your independent contractors to execute such documents) as may be deemed reasonably necessary by us to give effect to this provision.
Source: Item 23 — RECEIPTS (FDD pages 60–225)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
The 2025 Pump It Up Franchise Disclosure Document does not explicitly state where to direct complaints about website content. However, it does state that franchisees must get prior written consent from Pump It Up before developing or maintaining any website that mentions the franchise. Pump It Up also maintains control over advertising and marketing standards. Franchisees are required to actively participate in marketing and advertising programs, including social media, as designated by Pump It Up and must comply with all guidelines set forth by the franchisor. Franchisees must also provide Pump It Up with primary administration rights to any social media or digital marketing accounts they create for their franchised business.
Given Pump It Up's control over brand representation online, it is likely that concerns about website content should be directed to the franchisor. The FDD specifies that Pump It Up can offer ongoing guidance and consultation to franchisees through manuals, bulletins, emails, written materials, online sources, telephone conversations, virtual webinars, and consultations. This suggests multiple channels through which a franchisee could raise a concern.
Prospective franchisees should ask Pump It Up corporate about the specific procedures for addressing website content complaints. Clarification on this point will ensure that franchisees understand the proper channels for communication and conflict resolution related to online brand representation.