Can Beem Light Sauna use Brand Fund monies for public relations?
Beem_Light_Sauna Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
We may use monies in the Brand Fund and any earnings on the Brand Fund account for any costs associated with advertising (media and production), branding, marketing, public relations and/or promotional programs and materials, and any other activities we determine, in our sole discretion, would benefit the Brand or the Studios generally. These activities may include, but are not limited to: (i) advertising campaigns in various media; (ii) creation, maintenance, and optimization of the System Website or other websites; (iii) keyword or adword purchasing programs; (iv) conducting and managing social media activities; (v) direct mail advertising; (vi) market research, including secret shoppers and customer satisfaction surveys; (vii) branding studies; (viii) engaging advertising and/or public relations agencies and paying any related retainers and fees; (ix) paying the salaries and benefits of our marketing and brand-building personnel and any other overhead related to our marketing department; (x) purchasing promotional items; (xi) conducting and administering promotions, contests, giveaways, public relations events, and community involvement activities; (xii) marketing the sale of Franchises; (xiii) providing promotional and other marketing materials and services to our franchisees; and (xiv) reasonable administrative costs and overhead we incur related to the administration of the Brand Fund and the implementation of Brand Fund-supported programs.
We may consult with, in our sole discretion, a franchisee advisory council selected by franchisees or a committee of franchisees that we appoint regarding marketing programs.
However, we have the right to direct all marketing programs and uses of the Brand Fund, with the final decision over creative concepts, materials, and media used in the programs and their placement.
We do not guarantee that you will benefit from the Brand Fund in proportion to your contributions to the Brand Fund.
We will make any sales and other materials produced with Brand Fund monies available to you without charge or at a reasonable cost, and we will deposit the proceeds of such sales into the Brand Fund.
In fiscal year 2024, Brand Fund expenditures by Predecessor were allocated as follows: 25.78% on production ; 13.61% on media placement; 60.61% administrative expenses.
Source: Item 11 — FRANCHISOR'S ASSISTANCE, ADVERTISING, COMPUTER SYSTEMS, AND TRAINING (FDD pages 37–47)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Beem Light Sauna's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, the Brand Fund can be used for public relations. The document states that the Brand Fund can cover costs associated with advertising, branding, marketing, public relations, and promotional programs. Beem Light Sauna has the sole discretion to determine which activities will benefit the brand or the studios. These activities may include engaging public relations agencies and paying any related retainers and fees, as well as conducting public relations events.
For prospective Beem Light Sauna franchisees, this means that a portion of their contribution to the Brand Fund could be used for public relations efforts managed by the franchisor. However, the FDD also indicates that franchisees are not guaranteed to benefit from the Brand Fund in proportion to their contributions. In fiscal year 2024, Brand Fund expenditures were allocated with 25.78% on production, 13.61% on media placement, and 60.61% on administrative expenses.
Beem Light Sauna retains the right to direct all marketing programs and uses of the Brand Fund, with the final decision over creative concepts, materials, and media used in the programs and their placement. While the franchisor may consult with a franchisee advisory council or a committee of franchisees, the ultimate authority rests with Beem Light Sauna. Franchisees can request an unaudited statement of contributions and expenditures for the Brand Fund within 60 days after the close of the fiscal year, providing some transparency into how the funds are being used.