Is the annual statement of the Bens Soft Pretzels Advertising Fund audited or unaudited?

According to the 2025 Bens Soft Pretzels Franchise Disclosure Document, each advertising cooperative will be required to prepare annual financial statements. These financial statements must be made available to all members of the cooperative and to Bens Soft Pretzels upon request.

However, the FDD does not specify whether these annual financial statements are required to be audited or unaudited. This means that while the advertising cooperatives must create financial reports, there is no explicit requirement in the provided documentation for these reports to undergo a formal audit by an independent accounting firm.

A prospective Bens Soft Pretzels franchisee should clarify with the franchisor whether these financial statements are audited and, if not, what level of assurance or review is provided to ensure their accuracy and reliability. Understanding the financial oversight of the advertising fund is crucial for franchisees to assess the value and effectiveness of their contributions.