On what schedule must Bigfoot Forestry franchisees pay the brand fund fee?
Bigfoot_Forestry Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
10.1. Brand Fund. We will establish and administer a brand and system development fund to promote public awareness of our brand and improve our System. On each royalty fee due date, you must pay us a brand fund fee in the amount we designate from time to time (currently 1% of Gross Sales, but not to exceed 3% of Gross Sales). We will provide at least 60 days' notice before we increase the brand fund fee. We may use the fund to pay for any of the following in our sole discretion:
- (a) developing, administering or distributing advertising and marketing materials and programs;
- (b) conducting and administering promotions, contests or giveaways;
- (c) public and consumer relations and publicity;
- (d) brand development;
- (e) sponsorships and charitable and non-profit donations and events;
- (f) research and development of technology, products and services;
- (g) website development and search engine optimization;
- (h) development, maintenance and promotion of an ecommerce platform;
- (i) development and implementation of quality control programs and customer satisfaction surveys;
- (j) conducting market research;
- (k) changes and improvements to the System;
- (l) reimbursing us for costs we incur to host franchisee conferences;
- (m) fees and expenses charged by advertising agencies we engage to provide marketing services;
- (n) collecting and accounting for brand fund fees and preparing financial accountings of the fund;
- (o) any other programs or activities we deem appropriate
Source: Item 23 — RECEIPT (FDD pages 42–162)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Bigfoot Forestry's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, franchisees must pay the brand fund fee on each royalty fee due date. The brand fund fee is currently 1% of Gross Sales, but it can increase up to a maximum of 3% of Gross Sales. Bigfoot Forestry will provide at least 60 days' notice before increasing the brand fund fee.
The brand fund is used to promote public awareness of the brand and improve the Bigfoot Forestry system. Bigfoot Forestry has sole discretion in determining how the fund is used, including for advertising, marketing, promotions, public relations, brand development, sponsorships, research and development, website development, quality control programs, market research, system improvements, franchisee conferences, and fees for advertising agencies.
Bigfoot Forestry does not ensure that expenditures in a given geographic area are proportionate to the brand fund fees paid by franchisees in that area, or that franchisees benefit directly or in proportion to their brand fund fees. Bigfoot Forestry will prepare an annual statement of fund operations, including deposits and disbursements, which is available to franchisees upon request. Bigfoot Forestry may suspend or discontinue the fund at any time with 30 days' prior notice.