What must a Belocal franchisee comply with to receive a referral fee?
Belocal Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
You must be in full compliance with all Franchise Agreements between you and us (or our affiliates) in order to receive a referral fee. This referral fee is available only if the new prospect's Franchised Business manages a new publication or acquires the rights to manage a Bridge Publication; it is not available for transfers of existing Franchised Businesses. This referral program is subject to all state and local laws and regulations. We reserve the right to terminate, cancel, or modify such referral program at any time. Franchisees should refer to the Referral Program Policy document for additional rules and information. No more than one referral fee will be paid to franchisees living in or operating a Franchised Business within the state of Washington, and no franchisee, regardless of location,
will receive more than one referral fee for referrals made to franchisees living in or operating a Franchised Business in Washington.
ITEM 2. BUSINESS EXPERIENCE
Duane Hixon: Director
Since October 2016, Duane Hixon has served as one of our Directors. From October 2016 to January 2025, he served as our CEO. He has also been one of the Directors of The N2 Company since December 2005. From December 2005 to January 2025, he was the CEO of The N2 Company. Duane is based in Wilmington, North Carolina.
Earl Seals: Director
Since October 2016, Earl Seals has served as one of our Directors. From October 2016 to January 2025, he served as our President. He has also been one of the Directors of The N2 Company since December 2005. From December 2005 to January 2025, he was the President of The N2 Company. Earl is based in Zionsville, Indiana.
JP Hamel: Chief Executive Officer and President
Since January 2025, JP Hamel has been our CEO and President. From September 2022 to January 2025, he was our Chief Revenue Officer. From January 2020 to August 2022, he served as our Head of Franchise Development. From November 2019 to January 2020, he served as our Head of Franchise Coaching, and from October 2012 to January 2020 he served as Vice President of Sales for The N2 Company. JP is based in Scotch Plains, New Jersey.
Matthew B. Davis: Chief Legal Officer | General Counsel
Matthew B.
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, a franchisee must be in full compliance with all franchise agreements between them and Belocal or its affiliates to receive a referral fee.
Belocal may pay a $10,000 referral fee to the first franchisee who introduces a new prospective franchisee, not associated with Belocal, The N2 Company, or any of their affiliated businesses. The prospective franchisee must be identified as referred by the existing franchisee on their initial application. Several conditions must be met for the referral fee to be paid. First, Belocal must approve the new prospect. Second, Belocal and the prospect must sign a Franchise Agreement within 6 months after the referral. Third, the prospect must pay the full initial franchise fee. Fourth, the prospect must begin operations in a timely manner and the publication managed by the prospect must go to print. Finally, the prospect must earn at least one qualified commission of at least $3,000 (excluding fees charged by the franchisee to the client for ad management services) within 12 months of starting operations. The new franchisee must also be in good standing under their franchise agreement at the time the referral fee is paid.
The referral fee is only available if the new prospect's Franchised Business manages a new publication or acquires the rights to manage a Bridge Publication and is not available for transfers of existing Franchised Businesses. This referral program is subject to all state and local laws and regulations, and Belocal reserves the right to terminate, cancel, or modify the program at any time. No more than one referral fee will be paid to franchisees living in or operating a Franchised Business within the state of Washington, and no franchisee, regardless of location, will receive more than one referral fee for referrals made to franchisees living in or operating a Franchised Business in Washington.
Prospective franchisees should refer to the Referral Program Policy document for additional rules and information. This policy document likely contains more detailed information about the referral process, eligibility criteria, and any potential limitations or modifications to the program. Franchisees should carefully review this document to fully understand their rights and obligations under the referral program.