factual

What is the 'Brand Development Fund Fee' in relation to the 'Advertising Contributions' for a Bang Cookies franchise?

Bang_Cookies Franchise · 2024 FDD

Answer from 2024 FDD Document

chisor is not required to conduct any marketing on behalf of Franchisee or the System.

9.A. BRAND DEVELOPMENT FUND

At all times during the Term of this Agreement, as determined by Franchisor, in Franchisor's Reasonable Business Judgment, Franchisor may institute, implement, maintain, delegate and administer a brand development fund (the "Brand Development Fund"). The following shall apply to the Brand Development Fund at all times throughout the Term:

  • (1) If Franchisor institutes the Brand Development Fund, Franchisee shall pay, on the Due Date, a mandatory and continuing fee to the Brand Development Fund in an amount equal to a percentage of Gross Sales (as determined and designated by Franchisor in Franchisor's Reasonable Business Judgment) for each weekly Accounting Period (the "Brand Development Fund Fee"), provided, however, Franchisee will not be required to contribute more than 2% of the Gross Sales of the Franchised Business for each weekly Accounting Period;
  • (2) Franchisor will provide Franchisee with written notice of the percentage of Gross Sales that Franchisee is required to contribute to the Brand Development Fund. Upon such written notice to Franchisee, the percentage of Gross Sales to be paid by Franchisee to the Brand Development Fund will be applicable for each and every weekly Accounting Period thereafter during the Term until otherwise designated by Franchisor in writing. The Brand Development Fund Fee shall be paid to Franchisor on the Due Date and in accordance with the payment terms and method set forth in Article 5.B. for the payment of Royalty Fees;
  • (3) Franchisor, in Franchisor's Reasonable Business Judgment, shall direct all advertising, media placement, marketing and public relations programs and activities financed by the Brand Development Fund, with sole discretion over the strategic direction, creative concepts, materials, and endorsements used by the Brand Development Fund, and the geographic, market, and media placement and allocation thereof. Without limiting the foregoing, the Brand Development Fund may also be utilized for evaluation and monitoring of the Business Management Systems, maintenance and upgrades to the System Website, and development of Digital Media;
  • (4) Franchisee agrees that the purpose of the advertising, media, marketing and activities financed by the Brand Development Fund is and shall be for the general enhancement of the System brand as associated with the Licensed Marks and general public brand recognition and awareness of the Licensed Marks. The Brand Development Fund will not be utilized to directly or indirectly market or promote the Franchised Business or, unless otherwise directed by Franchisor, in Franchisor's Reasonable Business Judgment, pay for media placements that may benefit or include any media market that includes Franchisee's Shop Location or Designated Territory;
  • (5) Franchisee agrees that the Brand Development Fund may be used to pay various costs and expenses of Franchisor for such reasonable salaries, wages, administrative costs and overhead as Franchisor may incur in activities reasonably related to the administration, activities and/or the brand awareness goals of the Brand Development Fund including expenses incurred by Franchisor for advertising, marketing, product and service testing, product and service development, maintenance, evaluation and monitoring of the Business Management Systems, upgrades to the System Website, development of Digital Media and creative development that is internally administered or prepared by Franchisor and other marketing activities made by Franchisor, provided, however, that salary expenses for Franchisor's personnel paid by the Brand Development Fund shall be commensurate with the amount of that time spent by such personnel on Brand Development Fund matters. Franchisor shall not use contributions to the Brand Development Fund to defray any of Franchisor's general operating expenses, except for such reasonable salaries, administrative costs and overhead as Franchisor may incur in activities reasonably related to the

administration and activities of the Brand Development Fund and creation or conduct of its marketing programs including, without limitation, conducting market research, preparing advertising and marketing materials and collecting and accounting for contributions to the Brand Development Fund.

Source: Item 23 — RECEIPTS (FDD pages 56–245)

What This Means (2024 FDD)

According to Bang Cookies's 2024 Franchise Disclosure Document, the Brand Development Fund Fee is a mandatory and ongoing fee that franchisees must pay if Bang Cookies institutes a Brand Development Fund. This fee is a percentage of Gross Sales, determined by Bang Cookies, but will not exceed 2% of the Gross Sales for each weekly accounting period. Franchisees receive written notice of the percentage they are required to contribute, and this percentage remains applicable until Bang Cookies provides a new written designation. The Brand Development Fund Fee is paid to Bang Cookies on the same date and using the same method as Royalty Fees.

Bang Cookies has the sole discretion over advertising, media placement, marketing, and public relations programs financed by the Brand Development Fund. The fund aims to enhance the Bang Cookies brand and increase public recognition of the Licensed Marks. However, the fund will not directly market or promote an individual franchised business or pay for media placements that specifically benefit a franchisee's location, unless Bang Cookies directs otherwise. Franchisees are required to participate in all advertising, marketing, promotions, research, and public relations programs instituted by the Brand Development Fund.

In addition to the Brand Development Fund Fee, franchisees must also spend a minimum of 2% of their quarterly Gross Sales on local marketing of their franchised business within their designated territory. Franchisees must provide Bang Cookies with an accounting of their local marketing expenditures each quarter. If a franchisee fails to meet the 2% local marketing expenditure requirement, Bang Cookies can require the franchisee to cover the deficiency by either increasing local marketing expenditures in the following quarter or contributing the deficient amount to the Brand Development Fund. All local marketing efforts by the franchisee must receive prior written approval from Bang Cookies.

Disclaimer: This information is extracted from the 2024 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.