Privacy Policy

1. Who is responsible for your data

Franchise Hunt is operated by [Operating company legal name] (company number [Company number]), registered office [Registered office address], which is the data controller for the personal data described in this policy. We are registered with the Information Commissioner’s Office (registration number [ICO number]). You can contact us about privacy at [email protected].

2. The personal data we collect

Depending on how you use the Service, we may collect:

• Account data — your name, email address and password (stored securely, in hashed form) when you register.
• Enquiry data — the details you submit when enquiring about a franchise, such as name, email, phone number, location/postcode, investment level and any message.
• Partner data — for franchisors and partners, business contact details and account credentials.
• Subscriber data — your email address and, if you opt in, your mobile number for marketing communications.
• Saved activity — franchises you save and enquiries you make while signed in.
• Technical data — IP address, device and browser information, and usage data collected via cookies and similar technologies (see our Cookies Policy).

3. How and why we use your data

We use your personal data for the following purposes, relying on the lawful bases shown:

• To provide the Service — creating and managing your account, saving franchises, and operating the site (lawful basis: performance of a contract).
• To handle enquiries and introductions — passing your enquiry to the relevant franchisor(s) so they can contact you (lawful basis: performance of a contract / your consent).
• To send marketing — newsletters and, where you opt in, SMS updates (lawful basis: consent, which you can withdraw at any time).
• To secure and improve the Service — preventing fraud and abuse, maintaining security, and understanding how the site is used (lawful basis: our legitimate interests in running a safe, effective service).
• To meet legal obligations — for example responding to lawful requests or keeping required records (lawful basis: legal obligation).

4. Sharing your data with franchisors

When you submit an enquiry, we share the details you provide with the franchisor(s) you enquired about so they can respond to you. Those franchisors are independent data controllers of your data once they receive it, and their use of it is governed by their own privacy policies. We are not responsible for how a franchisor uses your data after we forward your enquiry.

5. Other recipients of your data

We also share data with trusted service providers who process it on our behalf under contract, including:

• hosting, database and authentication providers that run our platform;
• cloud storage and content-delivery providers for media and assets;
• email and SMS providers used to send communications you have requested.

We may also disclose data where required by law, to enforce our terms, or to protect our rights, users or the public. We do not sell your personal data.

6. International transfers

Some of our service providers may process data outside the UK. Where they do, we ensure appropriate safeguards are in place, such as the UK International Data Transfer Agreement or the UK Addendum to the EU Standard Contractual Clauses, so your data receives an equivalent level of protection.

7. How long we keep your data

We keep personal data only for as long as necessary for the purposes set out in this policy. Account data is kept while your account is active and for a reasonable period afterwards; enquiry data is kept for as long as needed to manage the introduction and our legitimate business records; marketing data is kept until you unsubscribe. We then delete or anonymise it, unless we are required to retain it for legal reasons.

8. Your rights

Under UK data protection law you have the right to:

• access the personal data we hold about you;
• have inaccurate data corrected;
• have your data erased in certain circumstances;
• restrict or object to our processing of your data;
• data portability;
• withdraw consent at any time, where we rely on consent.

To exercise any of these rights, contact us at [email protected]. You also have the right to complain to the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) at ico.org.uk, although we would welcome the chance to resolve any concern first.

9. Marketing communications

Where you have opted in, we may send you newsletters or SMS updates. You can opt out at any time using the unsubscribe link in any email, by following the opt-out instructions in any SMS, or by contacting us. Opting out of marketing does not affect service messages relating to your account or enquiries.

10. Cookies

We use cookies and similar technologies to operate the site, remember your preferences and understand usage. For details, please see our Cookies Policy.

11. Security

We use appropriate technical and organisational measures to protect your data, including encryption in transit, hashed passwords and access controls. No system can be guaranteed completely secure, but we work to protect your data and to respond appropriately to any incident.

12. Children

The Service is intended for adults and is not directed at children under 18. We do not knowingly collect data from children.

13. Changes and contact

We may update this policy from time to time; the “last updated” date above shows when. For any privacy question or request, contact us at [email protected].