Are Bigfoot Forestry advertising cooperatives required to prepare financial statements?

According to Bigfoot Forestry's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, advertising cooperatives are not required to prepare annual or periodic financial statements. However, if any financial statements are prepared, they will be made available to franchisees upon request. This provides some transparency, even though formal financial statements are not mandatory.

This policy means that franchisees may not have regular, standardized reports on how cooperative advertising funds are being managed and spent unless the cooperative chooses to create them. The absence of required financial statements could make it more difficult for franchisees to assess the effectiveness and efficiency of the advertising cooperative.

Bigfoot Forestry also reserves the right to form, change, merge, or terminate advertising cooperatives at any time. This flexibility allows Bigfoot Forestry to adjust its advertising strategies and structures as needed, but it also means that franchisees must be prepared for potential changes in how advertising is managed and funded in their region. Franchisees should inquire about the frequency and format of any financial updates provided by the advertising cooperative to stay informed about the use of their advertising fees.