factual

What is the intended purpose of the Aerus System Media Fund?

Aerus Franchise · 2025 FDD

Answer from 2025 FDD Document

oss Sales to the System Media Fund. (Franchise Agreement, Addendum B). In addition:

    1. We or a designee will have the right to direct all advertising programs, as well as all aspects of any System Media Fund, including the concept, materials, and media used in the programs and the placement and allocation of the programs. The System Media Fund is intended to maximize the general public's recognition of the Marks and the Programs; and we and our designee are not obligated, in administering the System Media Fund, to make expenditures for you which are equivalent or proportionate to your contribution, to ensure that any particular franchisee benefits directly or pro rata from expenditures by the System Media Fund, or to expend any particular amount of money in your Area of Responsibility.
    1. The System Media Fund will be used only (except as otherwise provided below) to meet any and all costs of maintaining, administering, directing, conducting, creating, and/or otherwise preparing advertising, marketing, public relations and promotional programs and materials, and any other activities that we believe will enhance the image of the Programs.
    1. We have the right to use System Media Fund contributions to, among other things, prepare and/or conduct media advertising campaigns, social media campaigns, direct mail advertising, marketing surveys and other public relations activities; employ advertising and/or public relations agencies to assist in doing so; purchase promotional items; develop new or modified trade dress and marks; point-of-purchase (POP) materials; design and photographs; conduct and administer visual merchandising, and other merchandising programs; purchase media space or time (including all associated fees and expenses); administer regional and multi-regional marketing and advertising programs; engage in or retain third parties to engage in market research and customer satisfaction surveys; develop and implement customer loyalty and gift card programs; customer retention programs; offset costs associated with the creative development of, and actual production associated

2025 Aerus FDD 28

with, premium items, giveaways, promotions, contests, public relation events, and charitable or non-profit events; develop and maintain our website(s); develop, implement and maintain an electronic commerce website and/or related strategies; maintain and develop one or more websites devoted to the Programs and Marks; provide promotional and other marketing materials and services to Franchised Businesses operated under the Programs; and offset the salaries of our employees to the extent such employees provide services in conjunction with System marketing activities. The System Media Fund may also be used to provide rebates or reimbursements to franchisees for local expenditures on products, services, or improvements, approved in advance by us, which products, services, or improvements we will have the right to determine, that we believe will promote general public awareness and favorable support for the Programs. We will have the sole right to decide how the System Media Fund creates, places, and pays for marketing.

    1. Upon 30 days' notice from us that we have established the System Media Fund, you must contribute to the System Media Fund in the manner we specify. All sums you pay to the System Media Fund will be maintained in an account separate from our other monies.
    1. We will have the right to charge the System Media Fund for the reasonable administrative costs and overhead that we incur in activities reasonably related to the direction and implementation of the System Media Fund and marketing programs for you and the System (for example, costs of personnel for creating and implementing, associated overhead, advertising, merchandising, promotional and marketing programs, and accounting services reasonably related to the operation and functions of the System Media Fund). The System Media Fund and its earnings will not otherwise inure to our benefit or be used to solicit the sale of franchises. We or our designee will maintain separate bookkeeping accounts for the System Media Fund.
    1. The System Media Fund is not and will not be used for ordinary operating expenses of our company, and it is not a trust. We do not assume any fiduciary obligation to you or any other franchisee for maintaining, directing, or administering the System Media Fund or for any other reason. We will prepare annually a statement of the operations of the System Media Fund as shown on the books of the System Media Fund, and will make it available to you on an annual basis, upon written request. This annual statement is not required to be audited, but we may choose to provide an audited statement.
    1. Although the System Media Fund is intended to be of perpetual duration, we maintain the right to terminate the System Media Fund.

Source: Item 11 — Franchisor's Assistance, Advertising, Computer Systems, and Training (FDD pages 36–43)

What This Means (2025 FDD)

According to Aerus's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, the System Media Fund is intended to maximize general public recognition of Aerus's Marks and Programs. Aerus or its designee has the right to direct all advertising programs and all aspects of the System Media Fund, including the concept, materials, and media used, as well as the placement and allocation of these programs. Aerus is not obligated to make expenditures for any franchisee that are equivalent or proportionate to their contribution, ensure that any particular franchisee benefits directly or pro rata from expenditures, or expend any particular amount of money in a franchisee's Area of Responsibility.

The System Media Fund will be used to cover the costs of maintaining, administering, directing, conducting, creating, and preparing advertising, marketing, public relations, and promotional programs and materials. It can also be used for any other activities that Aerus believes will enhance the image of its Programs. These activities may include media advertising campaigns, social media campaigns, direct mail advertising, marketing surveys, public relations, promotional items, new trade dress and marks, point-of-purchase materials, visual merchandising programs, and customer loyalty programs. The fund may also offset salaries of Aerus employees who provide services related to System marketing activities.

Aerus has the sole right to decide how the System Media Fund creates, places, and pays for marketing. The fund may also be used to provide rebates or reimbursements to franchisees for local expenditures on products, services, or improvements that Aerus has approved in advance and believes will promote general public awareness and support for the Programs. While the System Media Fund is intended to be of perpetual duration, Aerus maintains the right to terminate it, but not until all monies in the fund have been spent for marketing or promotional purposes. Aerus does not anticipate using the System Media Fund for marketing that primarily solicits the sale of franchises, though they may reference that franchises are available in advertising materials. Outlets owned by Aerus or its affiliates will participate in the System Media Fund at the same rate and on the same terms as all franchisees.

Disclaimer: This information is extracted from the 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document and is provided for research purposes only. It does not constitute legal or financial advice. Consult with a franchise attorney before making any investment decisions.