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    Franchat

    Privacy Policy

    Last updated: July 22, 2026

    1. Introduction

    Franchat ("Franchat", "we", "us", or "our") provides an online platform, database, and AI assistant ("Copilot") that helps users research franchise brands, Franchise Disclosure Documents (FDDs), and related business opportunities. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and protect information when you visit franchat.com and use our services (the "Service"). By using the Service, you agree to this Policy.

    2. Information We Collect

    • Identifiers & contact info: name, email, phone number, company, job title, and account credentials.
    • Account & profile data: the information you provide during signup and onboarding, including your user type (franchisor, franchisee, or exploring).
    • Copilot chat content: the questions, prompts, and messages you send to our AI Copilot and the responses generated for you.
    • Usage & analytics data: pages viewed, features used, referring URLs, device and browser information, IP address, approximate location, and timestamps.
    • Cookies & similar technologies: cookies, pixels, local storage, and similar technologies used to operate, analyze, and improve the Service.
    • Information from third parties: data received from analytics, advertising, marketing, enrichment, authentication, and franchise industry partners.

    3. How We Use Information

    • Provide, operate, and personalize the Service and the AI Copilot.
    • Communicate with you, including transactional and marketing messages (you can opt out of marketing at any time).
    • Improve, debug, and develop new features and content.
    • Detect, prevent, and address fraud, abuse, and security incidents.
    • Comply with legal obligations and enforce our Terms of Service.

    4. How We Share Information

    • Service providers / processors that host, analyze, secure, or otherwise support the Service (hosting, analytics, email, AI model providers, payment processors).
    • Business partners, advertisers, and franchisor brands that may be relevant to your stated interests, including for lead generation and franchise matchmaking.
    • Affiliates under common ownership or control with Franchat.
    • Legal, safety, and compliance disclosures when required by law, subpoena, or to protect rights, property, or safety.
    • Business transfers in connection with a merger, acquisition, financing, reorganization, or sale of assets.

    5. Sale and Sharing of Personal Information

    Franchat may "sell" and/or "share" personal information as those terms are defined under the California Consumer Privacy Act ("CCPA"), the California Privacy Rights Act ("CPRA"), and similar U.S. state privacy laws. In practice, this can include disclosing certain information to franchisor brands, business partners, advertisers, and analytics or cross-context behavioral advertising partners.

    The categories of personal information that may be sold or shared include:

    • Identifiers (such as name, email, phone number, and IP address).
    • Commercial information (such as products or services you've expressed interest in).
    • Internet or other electronic network activity (such as browsing behavior on the Service).

    You have the right to opt out of the sale and sharing of your personal information at any time via our Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information page. We also honor Global Privacy Control (GPC) browser signals as valid opt-out requests. We do not knowingly sell or share the personal information of consumers under 16 years of age.

    6. Your Privacy Rights

    Depending on where you live, you may have rights to (a) access the personal information we hold about you, (b) correct inaccurate information, (c) delete your information, (d) opt out of the sale or sharing of your information and of certain profiling, and (e) not be discriminated against for exercising these rights.

    • California (CCPA/CPRA): right to know, delete, correct, and opt out of sale/sharing; right to limit use of sensitive personal information.
    • Virginia (VCDPA), Colorado (CPA), Connecticut (CTDPA), Utah (UCPA): access, correction (where applicable), deletion, portability, and opt-out of targeted advertising, sale, and certain profiling.

    To exercise these rights, email privacy@franchat.com or use our opt-out page. We may need to verify your identity before responding.

    7. Cookies & Tracking

    We use cookies and similar technologies for authentication, preferences, analytics, and advertising. You can control cookies through your browser settings; disabling cookies may affect Service functionality.

    8. Data Retention

    We retain personal information for as long as needed to provide the Service, comply with our legal obligations, resolve disputes, and enforce our agreements. Retention periods vary based on the type of data and the purpose for which it was collected.

    9. Security

    We use administrative, technical, and physical safeguards designed to protect personal information. No system is 100% secure, and we cannot guarantee absolute security.

    10. Children's Privacy

    The Service is not directed to children under 16 and we do not knowingly collect personal information from anyone under 16. If you believe a child has provided us with information, please contact us and we will delete it.

    11. Changes to This Policy

    We may update this Policy from time to time. Material changes will be posted here with an updated "Last updated" date.

    12. Contact

    Questions or privacy requests? Email privacy@franchat.com.