What does the Belocal franchise sell?
Belocal Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
We sell franchises for businesses that sell print advertising to businesses that wish to advertise in one or more print magazines, newsletters, and/or directories designed for individuals who are newcomers to a particular area ("publications"); sell digital advertising services; organize local events; facilitate the publishing of these publications; and that develop relationships with advertisers in, and recipients of, such publications ("Franchised Business"), all under the trademark "BELOCAL® " and other trade names, service marks, trademarks, logos, and commercial symbols we authorize ("Marks"). We refer to the people who operate these businesses interchangeably as Franchisees or Area Directors. The Franchised Businesses operated under the BELOCAL® Mark are also referred to herein as BL Businesses.
Under a separate disclosure document, we offer franchises for businesses that sell print advertising to businesses that wish to advertise in one or more magazines, newsletters, and/or directories for companies, individuals, and/or organizations interested in or connected to the real estate industry ("RP Publications"); sell digital advertising services; solicit and compile content for the publications; and organize events for real estate professionals using our business system and the publication name REAL PRODUCERS® ("RP Business"). As of June 30, 2025, 152 RP Publications franchises were in operation.
Source: Item 1 — THE FRANCHISOR AND ANY PARENTS, PREDECESSORS, AND AFFILIATES (FDD pages 8–12)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Belocal's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, the franchise involves selling print and digital advertising, organizing local events, and facilitating the publishing of publications. Specifically, Belocal franchisees sell print advertising to businesses that want to advertise in magazines, newsletters, and directories designed for newcomers to an area. They also sell digital advertising services and cultivate relationships with advertisers and recipients of these publications. These activities are conducted under the Belocal trademark.
In addition to advertising sales, Belocal franchisees organize local events and compile content for the publications. The FDD specifies that franchisees sell print advertising for a Belocal publication distributed within a non-exclusive geographic area, known as the Territory. The digital advertising services franchisees are currently authorized to sell are extended reach services for print advertisements. Franchisees may also solicit leads for Hyport Digital, Belocal's digital marketing services business.
The Belocal franchise system provides franchisees with initial and ongoing training, access to a brand standards manual, advice, written materials, and potentially certain software programs. Franchisees may also gain access to a list of approved suppliers. Optional services are available through an affiliate, N2 Franchisee Services, under a separate agreement and for additional fees. These services and their associated fees are subject to change or discontinuation.
Belocal also offers franchises for businesses that sell print advertising in publications targeted towards the real estate industry under the REAL PRODUCERS® name, as well as franchises for Neighborhood Publications under the STROLL® and GREET® names. These different franchise types operate using similar systems but target different markets. The N2 Company, an affiliate of Belocal, owns and publishes the publications for which franchisees sell advertising and also operates businesses similar to the franchises it offers.