What is the process for Belocal franchisees to approve a publication for print?
Belocal Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
In promoting the Publication, Franchisee, its Principal(s), operations manager, and other representatives, must:
(1) Solicit contracts for print advertising in the Publication from advertisers and digital advertising services ("Advertising Contracts"), quoting prices and terms set by Franchisor or its affiliate (or otherwise approved by Franchisor in writing), and using the form contracts provided by Franchisor or its affiliate. To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, Franchisor and/or its affiliate reserve the right to establish maximum, minimum, or other pricing requirements with respect to Advertising Contracts. Moreover, Franchisor or its affiliate shall have ultimate discretion regarding whether to enter into any Advertising Contract. All Advertising Contracts, or other contracts related to the Publication, must be between Franchisor or its affiliate and the applicable Community, Industry Group, or advertiser, and Franchisee shall not be a party to, or a third-party beneficiary of, any such Advertising Contract or any
other contract relating to the Publication. Additionally, all fees and amounts payable under the Advertising Contracts must be paid directly to Franchisor or its affiliate or their designee, as applicable, in accordance with the terms thereof, and Franchisee must not accept any payments from any Community, Industry Group, or advertiser, nor shall Franchisee make payments on behalf of any Community, Industry Group, or advertiser for any reason. Franchisor may terminate this Agreement for Franchisee's failure to comply with the requirements set forth in this Section 5.E.(1). Franchisee shall not enter into Advertising Contracts or any other contract related to the Publication on Franchisor or its affiliate's behalf, and Franchisor and its affiliates are party to any Advertising Contract or any other contract related to the Publication, not Franchisee or its Principals.
- (2) Forward to Franchisor or its affiliate all Advertising Contracts or other contracts related to the Publication which have been executed by a representative of an Industry Group or an advertiser, as applicable, for review, approval, and execution by Franchisor or its affiliate no later than 30 days after such contracts have been executed by the Industry Group or advertiser, as applicable, and enter all such contracts into the accounting system (Portal) designated by Franchisor within seven days from the date of sale.
Source: Item 22 — CONTRACTS (FDD page 71)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Belocal's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, franchisees must forward all advertising contracts or other contracts related to the publication executed by a representative of an Industry Group or an advertiser to the franchisor or its affiliate for review, approval, and execution. This must be done no later than 30 days after the contracts have been executed by the Industry Group or advertiser. Additionally, franchisees are required to enter all such contracts into the accounting system (Portal) designated by the franchisor within seven days from the date of sale.
Belocal franchisees are also responsible for soliciting contracts for print advertising in the Publication from advertisers and digital advertising services, quoting prices and terms set by the franchisor or its affiliate (or otherwise approved by the franchisor in writing), and using the form contracts provided by the franchisor or its affiliate. The franchisor and/or its affiliate reserve the right to establish maximum, minimum, or other pricing requirements with respect to Advertising Contracts. Moreover, the franchisor or its affiliate shall have ultimate discretion regarding whether to enter into any Advertising Contract.
These stipulations ensure that Belocal maintains control over advertising contracts, pricing, and the overall financial management of each franchise location. The franchisee acts as an intermediary, soliciting contracts and managing content, but the franchisor retains the authority to approve and execute contracts, ensuring brand consistency and financial oversight. This division of responsibilities could streamline operations for franchisees by removing the burden of final contract decisions, but it also means they must adhere strictly to the franchisor's guidelines and timelines.