What is a 'Test Publication' in the context of a Belocal franchise?
Belocal Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
From time to time, we may test other publications to determine, among other things, the viability and financial parameters of the publication. If you request to operate a business associated with a test publication that is not a BL Business publication ("Test Publication"), and we agree, then you and we will enter into the Franchise Agreement and the Test Publication Amendment, which is Attachment H to the Franchise Agreement. All information relating to the BL Business in this disclosure document applies to the Test Publications, except that (1) unless otherwise indicated in a state addendum to the franchise agreement, Test Publications may be discontinued at any time we determine without any penalty to us and without any compensation to you, and (2) Test Publication Commissions are not included in the Item 19 financial performance representations. A franchise owner who operates a BL Business may be qualified to operate a second business and facilitate the publishing for a Test Publication business but is not required to do so. We do not require the owner of Test Publication business to also operate a BL Business. BL Businesses and Test Publication businesses are each a "Franchised Business" as that term is used in this disclosure document. From November 2017 until October 2024, franchisees who facilitated publication for Test Publications did so under the REAL PRODUCERS® franchise disclosure document. Now franchisees who facilitate publication for Test Publications do so under the BeLocal® franchise disclosure document. As of
June 30, 2025, 13 Test Publications were in operation. The Test Publication franchises have been offered since November 20, 2017.
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 'Test Publication' refers to a Belocal business that the company uses to evaluate the potential and financial aspects of a publication. If a prospective franchisee wants to operate a business related to a 'Test Publication,' they must sign a Franchise Agreement along with a 'Test Publication Amendment.'
All the information in the FDD regarding Belocal businesses also applies to 'Test Publications,' with a couple of key exceptions. First, Belocal can discontinue a 'Test Publication' at any time without penalty or compensation to the franchisee, unless a state addendum to the franchise agreement indicates otherwise. Second, the financial performance representations in Item 19 of the FDD do not include commissions from 'Test Publications.'
As of June 30, 2025, there were 13 'Test Publications' in operation. Belocal has been offering these franchises since November 20, 2017. Franchisees who facilitated publication for Test Publications did so under the REAL PRODUCERS® franchise disclosure document from November 2017 until October 2024. Now franchisees who facilitate publication for Test Publications do so under the BeLocal® franchise disclosure document.
It's important to note that a Belocal franchisee can operate a second business to facilitate publishing for a 'Test Publication,' but it is not required. Similarly, an owner of a 'Test Publication' business is not required to operate a standard Belocal business. Both Belocal businesses and 'Test Publication' businesses are considered 'Franchised Businesses' under the FDD.