Who has control over the advertising programs paid for by the Bigfoot Forestry Brand Fund?

According to Bigfoot Forestry's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, the franchisor has complete control and discretion over all advertising programs paid for by the Brand Fund. This includes creative concepts, content, materials, endorsements, frequency, placement, and the media used. The FDD indicates that currently, most advertising is intended to be local or regional, but Bigfoot Forestry expects to engage in national advertising efforts as their footprint grows. They may use any media they deem appropriate, including digital, print, television, radio, or billboard.

This means that as a franchisee, you will contribute to the Brand Fund, which is currently 1% of Gross Sales, but could increase to a maximum of 3%. However, you will not have direct control over how those funds are spent on advertising. Bigfoot Forestry retains the authority to decide on all aspects of the advertising campaigns. While the advertising may benefit franchisees, the franchisor ultimately decides the strategies and execution.

It is important to note that the Brand Fund will not be used to pay for advertisements principally directed at selling additional franchises. However, consumer advertising may include notations such as "franchises available," and the Bigfoot Forestry website may have pages promoting the franchise opportunity. This is a common practice in franchising, where brand-building advertising also serves to attract potential franchisees.

As a prospective franchisee, it would be prudent to inquire about Bigfoot Forestry's specific advertising strategies, the allocation of the Brand Fund, and how they measure the effectiveness of their advertising campaigns. Understanding their approach to advertising and marketing can help you assess the potential benefits of the Brand Fund contributions for your local business.