factual

How is the area of a Better Blend advertising cooperative defined?

Better_Blend Franchise · 2024 FDD

Answer from 2024 FDD Document

Local or Regional Advertising Cooperatives. We do not currently have any local or regional advertising cooperatives. We have the right to require you to participate in a local or regional advertising cooperative. We will define the area of the cooperative based on media markets, or other geographic criteria that we deem appropriate. Each franchisee in the area would have one vote per outlet (unless the franchisee is in default under its franchise agreement). The amount you must contribute to the cooperative will be determined by vote of the members, but not less than 1% and not more than 5% of adjusted gross sales. If our own outlets are members of a cooperative, they must contribute to the cooperative on the same basis as franchisees, and they will vote on the same basis as other members. We administer the cooperative, but we have the right to delegate responsibility for administration to an outside company such as an advertising agency or accounting firm, or to the franchisee members of the cooperative. We have the right to require the cooperative to operate from written bylaws or other governing documents that we determine. The documents are not currently available for you to review. Cooperatives will prepare annual financial statements which will be made available for review only by us and by the members of the cooperative. We have the power to require cooperatives to be formed, changed, dissolved, or merged.

Source: Item 11 — FRANCHISOR'S ASSISTANCE, ADVERTISING, COMPUTER SYSTEMS, AND TRAINING (FDD pages 21–27)

What This Means (2024 FDD)

According to Better Blend's 2024 Franchise Disclosure Document, the area of any local or regional advertising cooperative will be defined by Better Blend itself. The FDD states that Better Blend will base the cooperative's area on media markets or other geographic criteria that it deems appropriate.

Better Blend retains significant control over these advertising cooperatives. Each franchisee within the cooperative area has one vote per outlet, unless they are in default of their franchise agreement. The contribution amount from each franchisee will be determined by a vote of the members, but it must be between 1% and 5% of adjusted gross sales. If Better Blend owns outlets within the cooperative, those outlets must contribute on the same basis as the franchisees and will have the same voting rights.

Better Blend also administers the cooperative, but it can delegate this responsibility to an outside company or to the franchisee members. Better Blend has the right to require the cooperative to operate from written bylaws or other governing documents that Better Blend determines. Furthermore, Better Blend has the power to form, change, dissolve, or merge cooperatives.

Disclaimer: This information is extracted from the 2024 Franchise Disclosure Document and is provided for research purposes only. It does not constitute legal or financial advice. Consult with a franchise attorney before making any investment decisions.