What is the definition of 'Quarters' for Belocal franchisees?
Belocal Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
.
We divide each calendar year into four periods of three months each, and we call these periods "Quarters." For the Publication, we require you to (1) maintain a minimum, monthly Commission for the term of your Franchise Agreement, which is currently at least $3,000 per month for each of the BELOCAL ® publications you manage; (2) include a minimum of 28 pages that meet our standards in each issue of the Publication; (3) include the number of articles each month on the topics required in the Franchise Brand Standards Manual; and (4) complete a minimum number of Qualified Sales (as defined in the Franchise Brand Standards Manual) each Quarter. We may change our minimum Commission, page number, article, Qualified Sales, and Quarter requirements in our discretion during the Term of the Franchise Agreement. Although subject to change, currently the Qualified Sale requirement is that you make three Qualified New Sales (or the sale of a new advertising contract that has a term of at least 12 months and generates Cash Received of at least $150 per month) per Quarter. If you fail to satisfy any of the requirements listed in clauses (1) through (4) above, we may provide you with a business improvement plan ("Business Improvement Plan") with strategies and metrics for returning to compliance. Additionally, you will have various deadlines for the content, review, publishing, approval, etc. of the Publication and you must meet each deadline. Failure to satisfy any of these requirements is a default under the Franchise Agreement and is grounds for termination of the Franchise Agreemen
Source: Item 12 — TERRITORY (FDD pages 42–44)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Belocal's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, the term 'Quarters' refers to the four periods into which each calendar year is divided. Each quarter consists of three months. Belocal requires franchisees to meet certain performance standards each month and each quarter. These requirements include maintaining a minimum monthly commission, including a minimum number of pages in each publication issue, including a minimum number of articles on required topics, and completing a minimum number of qualified sales each quarter.
Currently, Belocal franchisees must maintain a minimum monthly commission of at least $3,000 for each Belocal publication they manage. They must also include a minimum of 28 pages that meet Belocal's standards in each issue and complete a minimum number of qualified sales each quarter. The current qualified sales requirement is three qualified new sales per quarter, where a qualified new sale is defined as a new advertising contract with a term of at least 12 months that generates cash received of at least $150 per month.
Belocal retains the right to change the minimum commission, page number, article, qualified sales, and quarter requirements during the term of the Franchise Agreement. Failure to meet these requirements or content deadlines may result in a business improvement plan. Failure to successfully complete the business improvement plan can lead to termination of the Franchise Agreement. Therefore, prospective franchisees should carefully consider these requirements and their ability to meet them before investing in a Belocal franchise.