Does the Aplus Franchisee Disclosure Questionnaire ask about any statement, promise, or agreement concerning advertising?
Aplus Franchise · 2024 FDDAnswer from 2024 FDD Document
| 8. Has any employee or other person speaking on our behalf made any statement or promise concerning a APLUS Store that is contrary to, or different from, the information contained in the disclosure document? | |
|---|---|
| 9. | |
| Has any employee or other person speaking on our behalf made any statement or promise | |
| concerning the likelihood of success that you should or might expect to achieve from operating a APLUS | |
| Store? | |
| 10. | |
| Has any employee or other person speaking on our behalf made any statement, promise or | |
| agreement concerning the advertising, marketing, training, support service or assistance that we will furnish | |
| to you that is contrary to, or different from, the information contained in the disclosure document? | |
| 11. | |
| If you have answered "Yes" to any of questions 7 through 10, please provide a full explanation of | |
| your answer in the following blank lines. (Attach additional pages, if necessary, and refer to them below.) | |
| If you have answered "No" to each of these questions, please leave the following lines blank or write "not | |
| applicable" or "N/A". |
Source: Item 22 — CONTRACTS (FDD page 68)
What This Means (2024 FDD)
According to Aplus's 2024 Franchise Disclosure Document, the Franchisee Disclosure Questionnaire does address advertising. Specifically, it asks prospective franchisees whether any employee or person speaking on behalf of Aplus made any statement, promise, or agreement concerning advertising or marketing that contradicts the information provided in the disclosure document.
This question is important because it aims to uncover any unauthorized representations made by Aplus representatives during the sales process. These representations, if inconsistent with the FDD, could potentially mislead franchisees about the level of advertising and marketing support they can expect. By addressing this issue in the questionnaire, Aplus seeks to ensure that franchisees are making informed decisions based on the official information provided in the FDD.
If a prospective Aplus franchisee answers "yes" to this question, they are required to provide a full explanation. This allows Aplus to investigate the matter and take corrective action if necessary. It also provides the franchisee with an opportunity to document any discrepancies they have identified, which could be important if disputes arise later. This type of question is a standard practice in franchising to protect both the franchisor and franchisee by ensuring transparency and adherence to the FDD.
Prospective franchisees should carefully consider this question and provide an honest and complete response. It is crucial to compare any verbal promises or representations made by Aplus representatives with the information contained in the FDD. If there are any inconsistencies, it is essential to document them in the explanation section of the questionnaire. This will help ensure that the franchisee has a clear understanding of the advertising and marketing support they can expect from Aplus and can help prevent misunderstandings or disputes in the future.