What standards must Aerus franchisees comply with regarding advertising and marketing?
Aerus Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
11. Advertising, Marketing, Promotion; Use of the Internet.
- A. All advertising or marketing to be undertaken by Franchisee shall comply with Company's standards, specifications and procedures as specifically described herein and in the Manuals. Franchisee shall submit a sample of each type of advertising material to Company for Company's approval prior to use. Franchisee may not use any advertising material, unless such material has been approved in writing by Company and has not subsequently been disapproved by Company. Franchisee shall immediately discontinue the use of any advertising materials which Company subsequently disapproves. No advertising, marketing or promotions material may be placed outside the Area of Responsibility, and Franchisee shall not place or otherwise conduct any national or international advertising of any kind.
- B. Franchisee shall install and, at all times during the term of this Agreement, maintain an outdoor sign in a prominent location in accordance with Company's sign specifications in effect from time to time, or as approved, in writing, by Company, unless prohibited from doing so by applicable laws and regulations.
- C. Franchisee shall advertise, at all times in the manner designated by Company from time to time in the Manuals or otherwise in writing, using formats or templates approved in advance by Company. Company shall have the right to require that all such advertising be placed by Company or a third party designated by Company in accordance with such procedures as Company may designate in the Manuals or otherwise in writing, and at Franchisee's expense. Company shall have the right to designate the size, form and content of such advertising and that Franchisee utilize a listing which identifies other Aerus Businesses in addition to its own.
- D. Franchisee shall, in addition to the other requirements of this Section, expend each year the Minimum Local Advertising Expense on local advertising, public relations, and promotion in the Area of Responsibility. At the request of Company, Franchisee shall furnish, to
Company, an accurate accounting of Franchisee's expenditure on local advertising, public relations, and promotion, in form and content satisfactory to Company.
- E.
Company also reserves the right to assess the Franchisee for contributions to the System Media Fund.
The System Media Fund shall be designed to facilitate media market spending that benefits the System.
Source: Item 23 — Receipts (FDD pages 74–305)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Aerus's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, franchisees must adhere to specific standards and procedures for all advertising and marketing activities. All advertising materials must be submitted to Aerus for written approval before use and must be discontinued if subsequently disapproved. Franchisees are restricted from placing advertising outside their designated Area of Responsibility and are prohibited from engaging in national or international advertising.
Aerus franchisees are required to install and maintain an outdoor sign at their location that conforms to Aerus's specifications, unless local laws prevent it. Franchisees must advertise in the manner designated by Aerus, utilizing approved formats or templates. Aerus retains the right to dictate the placement, size, form, and content of advertising, potentially requiring franchisees to use listings that include other Aerus businesses.
In addition to these requirements, Aerus franchisees must spend a Minimum Local Advertising Expense each year on local advertising, public relations, and promotion within their Area of Responsibility. Franchisees must provide Aerus with an accurate accounting of these expenditures upon request. Aerus also reserves the right to assess franchisees for contributions to the System Media Fund, which is used to support media market spending that benefits the entire Aerus system. Franchisees are restricted from advertising, marketing, or soliciting sales outside of their Area of Responsibility.