How many total Belocal publication franchises were there during the Reporting Period?
Belocal Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
We had a total of 135 BELOCAL publication franchises during the Reporting Period. We excluded the Commission payments made to publications that were not in print for the full year. We do not include information for franchisees who have been operating less than one year because we do not consider that information to be as reliable as information from franchisees who have been in operation for at least one year. We also excluded the Commission payments made to publications that were managed by 4 franchisees whose Commission payments were calculated using a different formula than the rest of our franchisees. We do not include in this disclosure document financial information about Publications managed by our affiliate. We do not include in this disclosure document financial information about our franchisees who operate the 13 Test Publications.
Source: Item 19 — FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE REPRESENTATIONS (FDD pages 55–59)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Belocal's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, there were a total of 135 Belocal publication franchises during the Reporting Period, which spanned from July 1, 2024, through June 30, 2025. However, the financial performance representation in Item 19 focuses on only 84 Belocal publications. These 84 publications met specific criteria: they were in print as of June 30, 2024, and had been in print for a full year. The FDD also mentions 88 active franchisees during this period.
Belocal excluded commission payments made to publications not in print for the entire year to ensure the reliability of the financial data presented. Additionally, publications managed by franchisees whose commission payments were calculated using a different formula, as well as publications managed by Belocal's affiliate and the 13 test publications, were also excluded from the financial performance representation. This approach ensures that the financial data presented is consistent and representative of the majority of Belocal franchisees.
Prospective franchisees should note that the financial performance data provided in Item 19 is based on a subset of the total Belocal publication franchises. While the FDD provides data on 84 reporting publications, it excludes a significant number of franchises for various reasons. Therefore, it is crucial for potential franchisees to conduct their own independent investigation and analysis of the franchise opportunity, considering the specific circumstances of their potential location and market. Consulting with financial, business, legal, and tax advisors is highly recommended to make an informed decision.