factual

How are contributions to the Bang Cookies Advertising Cooperative maintained and administered?

Bang_Cookies Franchise · 2024 FDD

Answer from 2024 FDD Document

[Item 23: RECEIPTS]

  • (5) Franchisee shall contribute to the Advertising Cooperative in the amounts as determined and required by the Advertising Cooperative or, otherwise in accordance with those documents governing the operation of the Advertising Cooperative; provided, however, Franchisee's contributions to the Advertising Cooperative shall not exceed Franchisee's local minimum marketing obligations set forth in Article 9.B. of this Agreement and Franchisee's contributions to the Advertising Cooperative shall count toward satisfaction of Franchisee's minimum local marketing obligations set forth in Article 9.B.;

  • (6) Franchisee shall submit to the Advertising Cooperative and to Franchisor such statements and reports as may be required by the Advertising Cooperative and approved by Franchisor.

All contributions to the Advertising Cooperative shall be maintained and administered in accordance with the documents governing the Advertising Cooperative.

The Advertising Cooperative shall be operated solely for the purpose of collection and expenditure of the Advertising Cooperative's fees for the purpose set forth in this Article 9.F.;

  • (7) No marketing materials, plans, or media may be used by the Advertising Cooperative or its members without the prior written approval of Franchisor;

  • (8) Shops owned by Franchisor and/or Franchisor's affiliates that are located within the geographic area of the designated Advertising Cooperative are not required to make contributions to the Advertising Cooperative; and

(9) The Advertising Cooperative must comply with the rules and regulations established by Franchisor in the operations manual which may be modified by Franchisor from time to time.

ARTICLE 10 RELATIONSHIP OF THE PARTIES AND INDEMNIFICATION

10.A. INDEPENDENT CONTRACTORS AND NO JOINT EMPLOYER RELATIONSHIP

[Item 23: RECEIPTS]

9.F. ADVERTISING COOPERATIVE

At all times Franchisor, in Franchisor's Reasonable Business Judgment, possesses the right to authorize, establish, designate and de-authorize a local or regional advertising cooperative within those markets that

Franchisor designates (the "Advertising Cooperative"). Franchisee agrees that Franchisor possesses the sole and exclusive right to designate any geographic area in which two or more Shop franchises are located as a region for the purpose of establishing an Advertising Cooperative. If Franchisee's Shop or Designated Territory is located within the geographic area of an Advertising Cooperative, franchisee must participate in and contribute to the Advertising Cooperative. Franchisee agrees to the following:

  • (1) If Franchisor previously instituted or, in the future, institutes an Advertising Cooperative that includes, in whole or in part, Franchisee's Designated Territory or Franchisee's Shop Location, Franchisee shall participate in and make such on-going financial contributions to the Advertising Cooperative, as determined by the Advertising Cooperative;

  • (2) Franchisor may establish foundational and organizational requirements of the Advertising Cooperative including voting provisions that allows the Advertising Cooperative to make decisions based on the simple majority vote (1 vote per franchisee Shop located within the designated area of the Advertising Cooperative) with a quorum constituting 25% of those franchisees within the Advertising Cooperative;

  • (3) Unless otherwise authorized and approved by Franchisor in writing, each Advertising Cooperative shall be organized for the exclusive purpose of administering marketing programs and the development of media (all subject to the review and approval of Franchisor) for use by members of the Advertising Cooperative in local or regional marketing;

  • (4) If at the time of execution of this Agreement an Advertising Cooperative has been established for a geographic area that includes, in whole or in part, Franchisee's Shop location or Designated Territory, or if such Advertising Cooperative is established during the Term of this Agreement, Franchisee shall fully participate in the Advertising Cooperative and Franchisee shall execute, at the request of Franchisor, all documents required by Franchisor and Franchisee shall become a member of the Advertising Cooperative subject to the terms of those documents;

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

What This Means (2024 FDD)

According to Bang Cookies's 2024 Franchise Disclosure Document, if a franchisee's shop is within a designated Advertising Cooperative area, they must participate in and contribute to it. The amount of these contributions is determined and required by the Advertising Cooperative, but it cannot exceed the franchisee's local minimum marketing obligations as outlined in the franchise agreement. These contributions count towards fulfilling the franchisee's minimum local marketing obligations. Franchisees are also required to submit statements and reports to both the Advertising Cooperative and Bang Cookies, as required by the cooperative and approved by Bang Cookies.

The funds collected by the Advertising Cooperative are to be used solely for the collection and expenditure of the Advertising Cooperative's fees for marketing purposes. All marketing materials, plans, or media used by the Advertising Cooperative or its members must receive prior written approval from Bang Cookies. Bang Cookies also establishes rules and regulations in the operations manual that the Advertising Cooperative must follow, which Bang Cookies may modify from time to time.

Bang Cookies retains the right to authorize, establish, designate, and de-authorize local or regional advertising cooperatives in markets they designate. They also possess the exclusive right to designate any geographic area with two or more franchise shops as a region for establishing an Advertising Cooperative. Bang Cookies may establish foundational and organizational requirements for the Advertising Cooperative, including voting provisions that allow decisions to be made by a simple majority vote (one vote per franchisee shop) with a quorum of 25% of franchisees within the cooperative.

Shops owned by Bang Cookies or its affiliates within the Advertising Cooperative's geographic area are not required to contribute to the cooperative. This could create a situation where franchisees are contributing to marketing efforts that also benefit company-owned stores without those stores sharing in the cost. Franchisees should carefully review the Advertising Cooperative's governing documents and operating procedures to understand their rights and obligations, as well as how the funds are being managed and spent.

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.