Which Bhc FDD item discusses Marketing, Advertising and Promotion?
Bhc Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
[Item 23: Receipts]
4.4 Marketing, Advertising and Promotion.
- (a) Beginning on the Opening Date, Franchisee must pay Franchisor a "Marketing and Promotion Fee" of 2.5 of Franchisee's Gross Revenues.
However, Franchisor is not requiring this contribution at this time because Franchisor does not anticipate brand marketing until Franchisor has at least 50 Franchised BHC Restaurants in operation.
If established, this fee is due and payable at the same time and in the same manner as Royalty Fee.
Franchisor reserves the right to require payment of this fee once Franchisor has more than 50 Franchised BHC Restaurants in operation.
Once BHC starts to require payment, Marketing and Promotion Fees collected from BHC franchisees less a 15% administration fee will be spent for national and regional advertising and promotional campaigns designed to promote and enhance the value of the BHC trademarks and their general public recognition and acceptance.
We need not ensure that any particular franchisee benefits directly or proportionately from the Marketing and Promotion Fee.
- (b) When applicable, Marketing and Promotion Fees are due and payable on a monthly basis on the 14th of each month (unless that day is a banking holiday, in which case the Marketing and Promotion Fees are due and payable on the next business day).
Marketing and Promotion Fees will be calculated on the Gross Revenues received during the monthly periods ending on the last day of each month.
- (c) During the 60 days after the Opening Date, Franchisee must spend in Franchisee's Territory at least $10,000 to $13,000 on the initial opening advertising and promotion event of Franchisee's Franchised BHC Restaurant, using the grand opening advertising and promotional program that Franchisor approves, including the "soft opening" to be held on or about the Opening Date and the grand opening event.
Not later than 75 days after the Opening Date, Franchisee must provide Franchisor with a report itemizing Franchisee's expenditures on the grand opening advertising and promotion of Franchisee's Franchised BHC Restaurant.
[Item 23: Receipts]
10. MARKETING AND PROMOTION
10.1 Use of Marketing and Promotion Fees.
- (a) In Franchisor's sole discretion and as Franchisor deems appropriate, Franchisor will expend, for the purposes of national, regional or local marketing, advertising, market research, public relations and promotional campaigns designed to promote and enhance the value of the Marks and general public recognition and acceptance thereof, an amount equal to the aggregate Marketing and Promotion Fees stated in section 4.4 hereof and collected from all of its franchisees less a 15% administration fee. No interest on unexpended Marketing and Promotion Fees will be imputed for Franchisee's benefit or payable to Franchisee. If requested by Franchisee in writing not later than March 31 of any calendar year, Franchisor will provide Franchisee no later than May 31 of the same calendar year with a statement of receipts and expenditures of the aggregate Marketing and Promotion Fees relating to the preceding calendar year, certified to be correct by one of Franchisor's officers.
- (b) In Franchisor's sole discretion and as Franchisor deems appropriate, Franchisor is obligated to spend the Marketing and Promotion Fees collected from Franchisee and all other BHC franchisees (less Franchisor's 15% administration fee) on regional, local or national media or other
marketing techniques or programs designated to promote the Marks and the retail sale of BHC Products and other aspects of the BHC brand, creative and production costs, and for other purposes deemed appropriate by Franchisor to enhance and promote the general recognition of BHC franchises. These may include branding and marketing studies, initiatives, and research; test marketing new products or concepts; franchisee compliance with System standards and practices through a "mystery shopper" program; the development of marketing strategies, tools, initiatives, and materials; public relations; market research; annual conferences (excluding the expenses of Franchisor's principals and employees to travel to such conferences); and occasional selective regional and local advertising.
[Item 23: Receipts]
Not later than 75 days after the Opening Date, Franchisee must provide Franchisor with a report itemizing Franchisee's expenditures on the grand opening advertising and promotion of Franchisee's Franchised BHC Restaurant.
If you fail to meet the initial opening advertising and promotion, you will be required to add the shortage toward the Marketing and Promotion Fee.
- (d) Commencing with the third full calendar month after the Opening Date, Franchisee must (i) spend at least 1% of Franchisee's annual (January 1 through December 31) Gross Revenues on the local marketing, advertising, and promotion of Franchisee's Franchised BHC Restaurant, using marketing and promotional materials pre-approved or otherwise authorized in writing by Franchisor ("Local Advertising").
Franchisee must submit to Franchisor a Local Advertising plan which details the Local Advertising for the next 12-month period for Franchisor's approval.
Within thirty (30) days after the end of each of the above-mentioned periods, Franchisor will provide a template to Franchisee and Franchisee must submit to Franchisor, a fully completed marketing report of Franchisee's Local Advertising for the preceding concluded period in form and substance specified by Franchisor, including evidence to verify such expenditure during such period.
(e) On a regional or system-wide basis, Franchisor may impose an additional assessment upon affected franchisees for special designated advertising or promotional activities if two-thirds of all affected Franchised BHC Restaurants agree to such additional assessment by affirmative vote.
(f) Franchisee must fully participate with any gift card, customer loyalty, referral and other contests and promotions Franchisor arranges for, requires, or authorizes BHC franchisees to participate in.
Details regarding such contests and promotions will be set forth in the Operations Manual.
- (g) Franchisor determines the cost, form of media, content, format, production, timing (including regional or local concentration and seasonal exposure), location and all other matters relating to regional or system-wide advertising (including advertising paid from Marketing and Promotion Fee contributions), public relations and promotional campaigns.
- (h) Franchisee agrees to participate in all BHC promotions described in Franchisor's website and all Franchisor-authorized charitable fundraising and group discount programs.
Source: Item 23 — Receipts (FDD pages 52–230)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Bhc's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, Item 23 discusses Marketing, Advertising, and Promotion. Specifically, sections 4.4 and 10 detail various aspects of marketing, advertising, and promotion. Section 4.4 outlines the Marketing and Promotion Fee, which is 2.5% of gross revenues, although Bhc is not currently collecting this fee until there are at least 50 restaurants in operation. This section also specifies the franchisee's obligation to spend between $10,000 and $13,000 (or $10,000 and $15,000 for Master Franchisees) on initial opening advertising and promotion within 60 days of the opening date.
Section 10 further elaborates on the use of Marketing and Promotion Fees, stating that Bhc will use these fees for national, regional, or local marketing and advertising campaigns. Bhc retains a 15% administration fee from the collected marketing funds. Franchisees can request a statement of receipts and expenditures of these fees by March 31 of any year, with Bhc providing the statement by May 31.
Additionally, franchisees are required to spend at least 1% of their annual gross revenues on local marketing, advertising, and promotion, using materials approved by Bhc. Franchisees must also submit a local advertising plan for the next 12-month period and provide a marketing report detailing their local advertising expenditures. Bhc also has the option to impose additional assessments for special advertising activities if approved by two-thirds of the affected franchisees. Franchisees must participate in any gift card, customer loyalty, and other promotions arranged by Bhc.
Bhc determines the specifics of regional or system-wide advertising, including cost, media, content, and timing. Franchisees are also expected to participate in all Bhc promotions described on the company's website and authorized charitable fundraising programs. These comprehensive guidelines ensure that franchisees understand their obligations and the support they can expect from Bhc in terms of marketing and advertising.