What kind of statement will All County provide regarding the Advertising Fund?
All_County Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
In any fiscal year, we may spend an amount greater or less than the contributions to the Advertising Fund for that year. We may carry over deficits or surpluses from year to year. We will separately account for the Advertising Fund and will provide an annual compiled statement of the Advertising Fund upon your written request. We are under no obligation to refund any unspent contributions when the Franchise Agreement is terminated or expires.
Source: Item 11 — Franchisor's Assistance, Advertising, Computer Systems, and Training (FDD pages 20–26)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to All County's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, All County will provide an annual compiled statement of the Advertising Fund upon a franchisee's written request. This statement will account for the Advertising Fund's activity.
All County may spend more or less than the contributions to the Advertising Fund in any given fiscal year and may carry over deficits or surpluses from year to year. The fees that franchisees contribute to the Advertising Fund are not held in a trust or any fiduciary capacity by All County, establishing only a standard commercial relationship for mutual economic benefit.
It is important to note that the Advertising Fund is not audited, and there are no requirements in the Franchise Agreement for it to be audited at any time. The fund will not be used to solicit the sale of franchises but can cover reasonable salaries, administrative costs, travel expenses, and overhead that All County incurs while administering the fund and its programs. This means that while franchisees can request a statement, there is no independent audit to verify the accuracy of All County's accounting.