Does Big Apple Bagels review local advertising and promotional materials proposed by a franchisee?

According to Big Apple Bagels' 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, Big Apple Bagels will review all local advertising and promotional materials proposed by a franchisee. The franchisor determines whether the advertising should be approved for use. This is a standard practice in franchising, intended to protect brand consistency and ensure that advertising aligns with the brand's overall marketing strategy.

In addition to franchisor review, franchisees are required to spend a minimum of 2% of their gross revenues on ongoing local advertising. Franchisees must also conduct a Grand Opening marketing campaign that meets Big Apple Bagels' approval, beginning at least 4 weeks after opening. The franchisee must pay a Store Opening Marketing Fee, which is $7,500 for a BAGELS Production Store and $3,000 for a BAGELS Satellite Store. For a transfer store, the Store Opening Marketing Fee is $1,000, which will be used to conduct a "re-Grand Opening" within 8 weeks of re-opening the Store.

Big Apple Bagels also manages a Marketing Fund, to which franchisees must contribute 3% of their gross revenues. Big Apple Bagels has the discretion to increase this contribution, but it will never be greater than 5% of gross revenues. A portion of these funds may be used for local advertising in the franchisee's market, but Big Apple Bagels determines how the monies are spent and does not guarantee any specific amount or percentage will be used in the franchisee's local market or for their specific store. Franchisees are permitted to use their own advertising material only after receiving written approval from Big Apple Bagels.

Big Apple Bagels maintains control over digital marketing, including social media. Franchisees are strictly prohibited from creating social media accounts or posting anything on social media sites involving their store or that uses Big Apple Bagels' marks. Big Apple Bagels reserves the right to require franchisees to obtain approval of any message involving their store or that uses Big Apple Bagels' marks that they send or post over social media. Unless Big Apple Bagels consents otherwise in writing, franchisees may not, directly or indirectly, conduct or be involved in any digital marketing that uses the marks or is related to their store.