What are the franchisee's obligations regarding checking their Stretch Zone email?
Stretch_Zone Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
We provide you a store e-mail address, use of which is limited to Franchise Owners, the Designated Representative and your Regional Manager. We have established reasonable standards for e-mail accounts and their use, which we may periodically revise. You will have reasonable time within which to upgrade when standards change. From timeto-time, we will send important information to your Stretch Zone e-mail address. In order to stay informed on developments affecting the Business System and your Franchise Business, you agree to check your e-mail at least daily except for Sundays. You must respond to any request we send to you by e-mail that requires a response within 24 hours of your receipt of our e-mail. You must send to us an acknowledgment of receipt of our e-mail to you. [Subsection 2.16(c) of the Franchise Agreement.]
Source: Item 11 — ITEM -11 FRANCHISOR'S ASSISTANCE, ADVERTISING, COMPUTER SYSTEMS AND TRAINING (FDD pages 36–44)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Stretch Zone's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, franchisees must check their Stretch Zone email daily, except for Sundays, to stay informed about developments affecting the Business System and their Franchise Business. Franchisees must respond to any requests sent via email that require a response within 24 hours of receipt. Additionally, franchisees must send an acknowledgment of receipt for each email they receive from Stretch Zone.
This requirement ensures that Stretch Zone franchisees remain up-to-date with important information and can promptly address any requests from the franchisor. By mandating daily email checks and quick response times, Stretch Zone aims to maintain efficient communication and ensure franchisees are aware of changes or updates to the business system.
For a prospective franchisee, this obligation means allocating time each day to review and respond to emails from Stretch Zone. Failing to comply with these email obligations could result in missed opportunities or delays in addressing critical issues, potentially impacting the franchisee's business operations. The franchisee should ensure that they, their Designated Representative, and their Regional Manager are all aware of and adhere to these email communication standards.
This level of required responsiveness is fairly typical in franchising, as franchisors need to ensure brand consistency and operational compliance across all locations. The specific requirement to acknowledge receipt of emails, however, is less common and highlights the importance Stretch Zone places on confirming that franchisees have received and understood critical communications.