Is a Big Apple Bagels franchisee permitted to use their own advertising material without approval?
Big_Apple_Bagels Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
You are permitted to use your own advertising material only after receiving written approval from BAB.
You are strictly prohibited from creating a Social Media account or posting anything on Social Media sites involving your Store or that uses our Marks. We reserve the right to require you to obtain our approval of any message involving your Store or that uses our Marks that you send or post over Social Media. We have the sole right to control all aspects of Digital Marketing, including those related to your Store. Unless we consent otherwise in writing, you may not, directly or indirectly, conduct or be involved in any Digital Marketing that uses the Marks or is related to your Store. If we do give you written consent to conduct any Digital Marketing, you must do so in compliance with our guidelines, specifications, standards, policies or procedures we may issue relating to Digital Marketing.
Source: Item 11 — FRANCHISOR'S ASSISTANCE, ADVERTISING, COMPUTER SYSTEMS AND TRAINING (FDD pages 42–53)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Big Apple Bagels' 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, franchisees are required to obtain written approval from Big Apple Bagels before using their own advertising materials. This means that franchisees cannot independently create and deploy advertising without the franchisor's consent. This requirement ensures that all advertising aligns with the brand's standards and marketing strategies.
Furthermore, the FDD strictly prohibits franchisees from creating social media accounts or posting anything on social media sites involving their store or using Big Apple Bagels' trademarks without prior approval. Big Apple Bagels retains the sole right to control all aspects of digital marketing related to the store. Even with written consent for digital marketing, franchisees must adhere to the franchisor's guidelines, specifications, standards, policies, and procedures.
These stipulations highlight the importance of adhering to Big Apple Bagels' marketing and branding guidelines. A prospective franchisee should be aware that they will have limited autonomy in creating and implementing their own advertising campaigns and must work within the framework established by the franchisor. This is a common practice in franchising, where brand consistency is highly valued.