Can Pump It Up require a franchisee's website to be hosted by them or a third party they designate?
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 specific requirements and controls over a franchisee's website. Pump It Up requires prior written consent for various aspects of a franchisee's website, including domain names, content, hyperlinks, and materials used.
Pump It Up maintains the authority to dictate the form and content of a franchisee's website. Moreover, Pump It Up can mandate that the website be hosted by them or a third party they designate, potentially utilizing websites that Pump It Up owns or controls. Pump It Up can also require franchisees to establish hyperlinks to their website or another designated website.
Pump It Up may charge franchisees a fee for developing, reviewing, and approving their website, as well as for hosting the website. This level of control ensures brand consistency and allows Pump It Up to manage the online presence of its franchisees, but it also means franchisees have limited autonomy over their website and may incur additional costs for website-related services.