Is the financial accounting of the Bigfoot Forestry Brand Fund audited?
Bigfoot_Forestry Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
All monies deposited into the Brand Fund that are not used in the fiscal year in which they accrue will be utilized in the following fiscal year. Any surplus of monies may be invested and we may lend money if there is a deficit. An unaudited financial accounting of Brand Fund contributions and expenditures will be prepared annually and made available to you upon request. During the fiscal year ended December 31, 2024 we did not spend any monies from the Brand Fund.
Source: Item 11 — FRANCHISOR'S ASSISTANCE, ADVERTISING, COMPUTER SYSTEMS AND TRAINING (FDD pages 22–29)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Bigfoot Forestry's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, the financial accounting of the Brand Fund is not audited. Instead, an unaudited financial accounting of Brand Fund contributions and expenditures will be prepared annually and made available to franchisees upon request.
This means that while Bigfoot Forestry will track and report on the Brand Fund's income and expenses, these figures will not be verified by an independent auditing firm. Franchisees will have access to this unaudited accounting, allowing them to review how the Brand Fund is being managed.
The FDD also states that during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2024, Bigfoot Forestry did not spend any monies from the Brand Fund. This information provides transparency, but the lack of an audit may be a concern for some franchisees who prefer the assurance of independent verification. It is important to note that the Brand Fund is not a trust, and Bigfoot Forestry has no fiduciary obligations to franchisees regarding its administration. Franchisees should consider this when evaluating the level of oversight and accountability for the Brand Fund.