Does Bigfoot Forestry administer the Brand Fund?

We administer the Brand Fund to promote public awareness of our brand and improve our System. We may use the Brand Fund to pay for any of the following in our discretion:

• developing, distributing or administering advertising and marketing materials and programs
• conducting and administering promotions, contests or giveaways
• public and consumer relations and publicity
• brand development
• sponsorships and charitable and nonprofit donations and events
• research and development of technology, products and services
• website development and search engine optimization
• development, maintenance and promotion of an ecommerce platform
• development and implementation of quality control programs
• conducting market research
• reimbursing us for costs we incur to host franchisee conferences
• changes and improvements to the System
• fees and expenses charged by advertising agencies we engage to provide marketing services
• collecting and accounting for brand fund fees and preparing financial accountings of the Brand Fund
• any other programs or activities we deem appropriate to promote or improve the System
• reimbursing us for administrative, overhead and other expenses we incur to administer the Brand Fund, including compensation paid to our personnel for time spent working on Brand Fund matters

We direct and have complete control and discretion over all advertising programs paid for by the Brand Fund,

including the creative concepts, content, materials, endorsements, frequency, placement and media used. Currently, most advertising is intended to be local or regional in coverage. However, we expect to engage in national advertising efforts as our footprint grows. We may use any media we deem appropriate, including digital, print, television, radio or billboard. The Brand Fund will not be used to pay for advertisements principally directed at selling additional franchises, although consumer advertising may include notations such as "franchises available" and one or more pages on our website may promote the franchise opportunity.

You must pay the brand fund fee we specify from time to time (currently 1% of Gross Sales; not to exceed 3% of Gross Sales). Company-owned Bigfoot Forestry Businesses contribute to the Brand Fund on the same basis as franchisees. However, if we modify the amount or timing of required contributions, any company-owned Bigfoot Forestry Business established or acquired after the modification may contribute to the Brand Fund utilizing the modified amount or timing. Except as stated in this paragraph, we have no obligation to expend our own funds or resources for any marketing activities in your area.

Source: Item 11 — FRANCHISOR'S ASSISTANCE, ADVERTISING, COMPUTER SYSTEMS AND TRAINING (FDD pages 22–29)