Is Batteries Plus Bulbs permitted to advertise within a franchisee's protected area?
Batteries_Plus_Bulbs Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
You cannot conduct any advertising or otherwise solicit customers outside the "market area" of your Store unless you obtain our prior written consent. The "market area" for your Store will be a 20 mile radius surrounding the location of your Store. You cannot solicit key accounts customers (under the Key Accounts Program) unless you receive our consent. We and other Batteries Plus® franchisees may advertise inside your Protected Area. In addition, we and other Batteries Plus® franchisees may serve customers who reside in your Protected Area without compensation to you, except to the extent we service a key accounts customer (see below).
Source: Item 12 — Territory (FDD pages 43–46)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Batteries Plus Bulbs' 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, both Batteries Plus Bulbs and other Batteries Plus Bulbs franchisees are permitted to advertise within a franchisee's protected area. This means that while a franchisee is granted a protected area, they may still face advertising competition from both the franchisor and other franchisees within that area.
This ability for Batteries Plus Bulbs and other franchisees to advertise in a franchisee's protected area could impact the franchisee's ability to attract customers. The franchisee is also restricted from advertising outside of their "market area," defined as a 20-mile radius around their store, without prior written consent from Batteries Plus Bulbs.
This arrangement is not uncommon in franchising, as franchisors often retain the right to conduct national or regional advertising campaigns that may overlap with franchisees' territories. However, prospective Batteries Plus Bulbs franchisees should consider how this might affect their local marketing strategies and potential customer base. They should also inquire about the extent and nature of advertising activities conducted by Batteries Plus Bulbs and other franchisees within their protected area to fully understand the competitive landscape.