Is a Southern Steer franchisee allowed to establish their own website or mobile application?
Southern_Steer Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
The Franchisee will not have the right to establish a website, mobile application, or blog or any other social presence on the Internet to advertise or promote its Southern Steer Business without Franchisor's prior written approval.
The Franchisor and its Affiliates will have the sole right to promote on the Internet or via a mobile application the Foods, Beverages and Products offered by the Franchisee's Southern Steer Business, to create a website and/or mobile application containing the "Southern Steer Butcher" name and the Marks, or any derivative or related domain name.
The Franchisor reserves the right to charge the Advertising Fund for the costs associated with the maintenance or enhancement of the Southern Steer Website.
The Franchisee's Southern Steer Business will be removed from the Southern Steer Website immediately upon the termination or expiration of this Agreement.
Source: Item 22 — ITEM. 22 CONTRACTS (FDD pages 61–168)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to the 2025 Southern Steer Franchise Disclosure Document, franchisees are generally prohibited from establishing their own websites or mobile applications to promote their Southern Steer business without prior written approval from the franchisor. Southern Steer retains control over the brand's online presence, including the main Southern Steer website and any mobile applications. The franchisor has the sole right to create a website or mobile application containing the Southern Steer Butcher name and marks. This ensures a consistent brand image and marketing strategy across all franchise locations.
Southern Steer manages the Southern Steer Website, determining its features, content, and format. The franchisor also reserves the right to modify, enhance, suspend, or discontinue the website at its discretion. This centralized control allows Southern Steer to maintain quality and consistency in its online marketing efforts. The franchisor may also charge the advertising fund for the costs associated with maintaining or enhancing the Southern Steer Website.
Upon termination or expiration of the franchise agreement, the franchisee's Southern Steer Business will be removed from the Southern Steer Website. This highlights the importance of the franchise agreement in defining the franchisee's rights and obligations regarding the use of the Southern Steer brand and online presence. While franchisees cannot create their own independent websites or mobile apps without approval, Southern Steer may establish an Online Ordering/Delivery System for enhancing customer service, in which franchisees are expected to participate.