What is the purpose of the Brand and System Development Fund for Bigfoot Forestry?
Bigfoot_Forestry Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
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)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Bigfoot Forestry's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, the Brand and System Development Fund, also referred to as the Brand Fund, is administered to promote public awareness of the Bigfoot Forestry brand and to improve the Bigfoot Forestry system. The document outlines various ways the Brand Fund may be used, all at the discretion of Bigfoot Forestry.
The Brand Fund can be used for developing, distributing, and administering advertising and marketing materials, conducting promotions, managing public relations, brand development, sponsorships, charitable donations, research and development, website and e-commerce platform development, quality control programs, and market research. It can also cover the costs of franchisee conferences, system improvements, advertising agency fees, and the administrative expenses associated with managing the fund itself, including personnel compensation.
Bigfoot Forestry maintains complete control over all advertising programs paid for by the Brand Fund, including creative content, media placement, and endorsements. While current advertising efforts are primarily local or regional, Bigfoot Forestry anticipates expanding to national advertising as its footprint grows. The Brand Fund will not be used to directly sell franchises, though consumer advertising may include franchise availability notices. Franchisees are required to contribute to the Brand Fund, with the current fee set at 1% of Gross Sales, not to exceed 3%. Company-owned Bigfoot Forestry businesses also contribute to the fund on the same basis as franchisees.
Any unspent funds in the Brand Fund at the end of the fiscal year will be used in the following fiscal year. Bigfoot Forestry will provide an unaudited financial accounting of the Brand Fund's contributions and expenditures annually, available to franchisees upon request. However, the Brand Fund is not a trust, and Bigfoot Forestry has no fiduciary obligations to franchisees regarding its administration. Bigfoot Forestry can discontinue the Brand Fund with 30 days' notice.