What rights does Batteries Plus Bulbs reserve regarding regional advertising councils?

According to the 2025 Batteries Plus Bulbs FDD, Batteries Plus Bulbs maintains the right to establish regional or local cooperative advertising or marketing programs in areas or regions where a franchisee's store is located. The franchisee is obligated to participate in, support, and contribute to these programs as designated by Batteries Plus Bulbs. This means that Batteries Plus Bulbs has the authority to create and manage advertising initiatives on a regional or local level, and franchisees are required to take part in these programs.

This requirement ensures that Batteries Plus Bulbs can coordinate marketing efforts across different regions, aiming to create a consistent brand image and maximize the impact of advertising campaigns. By mandating participation, Batteries Plus Bulbs can ensure that all franchisees contribute to and benefit from these cooperative advertising programs. This approach is fairly common in franchising, where franchisors often implement marketing strategies to support the entire network.

For a prospective franchisee, this means they must be prepared to allocate resources to these cooperative advertising programs. The FDD does not specify the exact contribution amount or the details of how these programs are managed, but it does establish the franchisee's obligation to participate. It would be prudent for a potential franchisee to inquire about the typical costs and structures of these regional advertising programs during their due diligence process to fully understand the financial implications and how these programs are expected to benefit their specific location.