What are some examples of costs and expenses that the Benjamin Franklin Plumbing Brand Fund may be used to pay?
Benjamin_Franklin_Plumbing Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
We may use the Brand Fund to pay costs and expenses as we determine in our sole discretion, including but not limited to: production of video, audio, written, online and mobile marketing materials; purchasing promotional items; sponsorship of sporting, charitable, or similar events; design, establishment, and maintenance of websites, social media, mobile applications and other electronic marketing; implementation of advertising programs, in-store promotions, direct mail, and media advertising; marketing and sales training; employing advertising agencies; conducting public relations, consumer research, product development, product testing, and test marketing programs; developing and implementing trade dress and design prototypes; fulfillment charges; salaries and expenses of employees of Franchisor and affiliates working for or on behalf of the Brand Fund; fees of accounting firms, design firms, public relations firms, consultants and ad agencies; legal fees for advertising preclearance, defense of false advertising claims, and defense of any claims made regarding our administration of the Brand Fund; other administrative costs and overhead incurred in activities related to the administration and activities of the Brand Fund; and interest on any monies borrowed by the Brand Fund.
Source: Item 23 — RECEIPTS (FDD pages 88–312)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to the 2025 FDD, Benjamin Franklin Plumbing uses its Brand Fund to support recognition of the Franchised Businesses and the Brand. The franchisor has the right to direct all advertising, marketing, public relations, and other activities to promote the brand.
The Brand Fund may be used to cover a variety of costs and expenses, including the production of marketing materials such as video, audio, written, online, and mobile content. It can also be used for purchasing promotional items and sponsoring events like sporting or charitable activities. Furthermore, the fund can support the design, establishment, and maintenance of websites, social media, mobile applications, and other electronic marketing platforms.
Additional expenses covered by the Brand Fund include the implementation of advertising programs, in-store promotions, direct mail campaigns, and media advertising. It also supports marketing and sales training, the employment of advertising agencies, and public relations efforts. The fund can be used for consumer research, product development, product testing, and test marketing programs, as well as the development and implementation of trade dress and design prototypes. Salaries and expenses of Franchisor and affiliate employees working for the Brand Fund, fees for various firms (accounting, design, public relations, consultants, and ad agencies), legal fees, administrative costs, overhead, and interest on borrowed monies are also covered.