What is the Advertising Fund Fee that Bens Soft Pretzels franchisees must pay?
Bens_Soft_Pretzels Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
- C.
Advertising Fund Fee.
You must pay to us a weekly Advertising Fund Fee in an of 1.5% of Gross Sales.
The Advertising Fund Fee is separate from any local marketing requirements.
We have the right to increase the Advertising Fund Fee at any level up to 4% upon 90 days' advance written notice, although if we increase the Advertising Fund Fee to 3% or 4% we will reduce the local advertising requirements accordingly.
The Advertising Fund Fees are not held by us in trust and will be spent in accordance with subparagraph 8.A of this Agreement.
- D.
Computations and Remittances.
Except as otherwise stated in this Agreement, all amounts due and owing to us weekly, and will be paid through electronic funds transfer.
Source: Item 22 — CONTRACTS (FDD pages 46–47)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to the 2025 Bens Soft Pretzels Franchise Disclosure Document, franchisees must pay a weekly Advertising Fund Fee. This fee is calculated as 1.5% of the store's gross sales. This Advertising Fund Fee is separate from any local marketing requirements that Bens Soft Pretzels may impose.
Bens Soft Pretzels retains the right to increase this Advertising Fund Fee, but it cannot exceed 4% of gross sales. The FDD stipulates that Bens Soft Pretzels must provide franchisees with 90 days' advance written notice before increasing the fee. If Bens Soft Pretzels increases the Advertising Fund Fee to 3% or 4%, they will reduce the local advertising requirements accordingly.
The Advertising Fund Fees are not held in trust by Bens Soft Pretzels. The FDD states that these fees will be spent in accordance with subparagraph 8.A of the Franchise Agreement. Franchisees are required to make these payments weekly via electronic funds transfer, along with submitting any required reports.