What deadlines must a Belocal franchisee meet for content, review, approval, and publishing tasks?
Belocal Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
(6) Franchisee must complete each content, review, approval, and publishing task for the Publication set forth in the Franchise Brand Standards Manual by the deadlines set by Franchisor, as each may change from time to time.
E.
Content Submission Deadlines and Commission Payment Dates.
Within 30 days after Franchisee's first issue is published, Franchisor shall, in its sole discretion, assign Franchisee a monthly deadline for advertising and content submission.
The deadline shall be communicated to Franchisee in writing, and Commissions, if any, shall be paid to Franchisee within 30 days following Franchisee's assigned deadline.
E. Missed Deadline Fee and Late Revisions Fee. If Franchisee fails to submit to Franchisor or its affiliate the content required to publish any of the Publication's issues by the applicable deadline communicated to Franchisee by Franchisor or its affiliate, then Franchisor reserves the right to require Franchisee to pay Franchisor or its affiliate the then-current missed deadline fee set forth in the Franchise Brand Standards Manual, which Franchisor or its affiliates may change from time to time in their sole discretion. If Franchisee fails to timely review, make, or accept revisions to the Publication during certain stages of the publication process, then Franchisor reserves the right to require Franchisee to pay Franchisor or its affiliate the then-current late revisions fee set forth in the Franchise Brand Standards Manual, which Franchisor or its affiliates may change from time to time in their sole discretion.
(17) Franchisee fails to meet a deadline two or more times within a 12-month period;
Source: Item 22 — CONTRACTS (FDD page 71)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Belocal's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, franchisees must adhere to deadlines set by Belocal for all content, review, approval, and publishing tasks related to their publications. These deadlines are detailed in the Franchise Brand Standards Manual and are subject to change at Belocal's discretion.
Belocal will assign a monthly deadline for advertising and content submission within 30 days after the franchisee's first issue is published. This deadline will be communicated to the franchisee in writing. If a franchisee fails to submit content by the communicated deadline, Belocal reserves the right to charge a missed deadline fee, as outlined in the Franchise Brand Standards Manual. Similarly, late revisions to the publication during various stages of the publishing process may incur a late revisions fee.
Meeting these deadlines is crucial, as failing to do so two or more times within a 12-month period can be considered a breach of the franchise agreement. This could potentially lead to further action from Belocal, including the implementation of a business improvement plan. Failure to successfully complete the business improvement plan could result in the termination of the franchise agreement. Franchisees should consult the Franchise Brand Standards Manual and communicate regularly with Belocal to ensure they are aware of and can meet all applicable deadlines.