Does Bonchon require Participating Franchisees to obtain prior written approval from Pepsi-Cola for any marketing materials that include Pepsi trademarks?
Bonchon Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
Use and distribution by Participating Franchisee of any and all written, broadcast, and printed materials created either directly by Participating Franchisee or by a third party for the benefit of Participating Franchisee and/or at Participating Franchisee's request - including, but not limited to, advertisements, marketing materials, correspondence, press releases of whatever type, promotional materials, and/or point of sale materials - which bear and include the Pepsi-Cola, PepsiCo and/or Partnership name(s) and/or their respective trademarks, and/or bear and include the name(s) and/or the respective trademark(s) of any or all of the Fountain/Frozen/Packaged Products, will at all times be subject to Pepsi-Cola's prior written approval.
Source: Item 23 — RECEIPTS (FDD pages 92–536)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Bonchon's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, Participating Franchisees must obtain prior written approval from Pepsi-Cola for any marketing materials that include Pepsi trademarks. This requirement applies to all written, broadcast, and printed materials created by the franchisee or a third party on their behalf.
This includes advertisements, marketing materials, correspondence, press releases, promotional materials, and point-of-sale materials. The approval is necessary when these materials bear the Pepsi-Cola, PepsiCo, or Partnership names and/or their respective trademarks, or the names and/or trademarks of any Fountain/Frozen/Packaged Products.
This stipulation ensures that the use of Pepsi-Cola's intellectual property aligns with their brand standards and marketing strategies. For a Bonchon franchisee, this means any local marketing efforts that feature Pepsi products must first be vetted and approved by Pepsi-Cola, adding an extra layer of compliance to their marketing activities.
This requirement is not uncommon in franchise agreements, especially when the franchise has a partnership with a major brand like Pepsi-Cola. It protects the integrity and consistency of the Pepsi brand while allowing Bonchon franchisees to promote Pepsi products in their restaurants.