factual

Does Brown's Chicken agree to maintain and administer the Advertising Fund?

Browns_Chicken Franchise · 2025 FDD

Answer from 2025 FDD Document

ng as Brown may deem necessary or appropriate, in its sole discretion. Brown shall, from time to time, formulate, develop, produce and conduct regional advertising and promotion programs in such form and media as it determines, in its sole discretion, to be most effective.

Franchisee shall pay to the Advertising Fund, as hereinafter provided, such amount as may be designated by Brown from time to time by written notice to Franchisee, not to exceed four percent (4%) of the Gross Sales (as hereinafter defined) of the Store. The Advertising Fund contribution shall be paid by Franchisee on Gross Sales for each Monday through Sunday weekly period together with the royalty fee as set forth in Paragraph l9.A of this Agreement. Franchisee's payments to the Advertising Fund shall be made by electronic transfer or automatic debit from Franchisee's bank account to the Advertising Fund account, as set forth in Paragraph 19.F. below.

Brown shall direct all advertising programs financed by the Advertising Fund, with sole discretion over the creative concepts, materials and endorsements used therein, and the geographic, market and media placement and allocation thereof. Franchisee agrees that the Advertising Fund may be used to meet any and all costs of formulating, administering, maintaining, directing, preparing and producing regional, multi-regional or local advertising materials, programs and public relations activities, including, without limitation, the costs of producing video, audio and written advertising materials; electronic media, developing, implementing, and maintaining an electronic commerce Website and/or related strategies; administering multi-regional advertising programs; purchasing trade journal, direct mail and other media advertising; and employing advertising agencies; supporting public relations, market research and marketing activities; and providing advertising and marketing materials and menus to BROWN'S Stores. The Advertising Fund shall furnish Franchisee with approved advertising materials at its direct cost of producing such advertising materials.

The Advertising Fund is not Brown's asset. Although the Advertising Fund is not a trust, Brown will hold all Advertising Fund contributions for the benefit of the contributors and use contributions only for the purposes described in this Agreement. Brown does not owe any fiduciary obligation to Franchisee for administering the Advertising Fund or for any other reason. The Advertising Fund shall be accounted for separately from the other funds of Brown and shall not be used to defray any of Brown's general operating expenses, except for such reasonable salaries, administrative costs and overhead as Brown may incur in activities reasonably related to the administration of the Advertising Fund and its advertising programs (including, without limitation, conducting market research, preparing advertising and marketing materials and collecting and accounting for contributions to the Advertising Fund). Brown may spend in any fiscal year an amount greater or less than the aggregate contribution of BROWN'S Stores to the Advertising Fund in that year and the Advertising Fund may borrow from Brown or other lenders to cover deficits of the Advertising Fund or cause the Advertising Fund to invest

any surplus for future use by the Advertising Fund. Franchisee authorizes Brown to collect for remission to the Advertising Fund any advertising monies or credits offered by any supplier to Franchisee based upon purchases by Franchisee. All interest earned on monies contributed to the Advertising Fund will be used to pay advertising costs of the Advertising Fund before other assets of the Advertising Fund are expended. A statement of monies collected and costs incurred by the Advertising Fund shall be prepared annually by Brown and shall be furnished to Franchisee upon written request.

Franchisee understands and acknowledges that the Advertising Fund is intended to maximize recognition of the Marks and patronage of BROWN'S Stores. Although Brown will endeavor to utilize the Advertising Fund to develop advertising and marketing materials, and to place advertising in a manner, that will benefit all BROWN'S Stores, Brown undertakes no obligation to ensure that expenditures by the Advertising Fund in or affecting any geographic area are proportionate or equivalent to contributions to the Advertising Fund by BROWN'S Stores operating in that geographic area or that any BROWN'S Store will benefit directly or in proportion to its contribution to the Advertising Fund from the development of advertising and marketing materials or the placement of advertising. Except as expressly provided in this Section 11, Brown assumes no direct or indirect liability or obligation to Franchisee with respect to the maintenance, direction or administration of the Advertising Fund. Franchisee agrees and acknowledges that Brown has no fiduciary obligation to Franchisee or any other BROWN's Store in connection with the establishment of the Advertising Fund or the collection, control or administration of monies paid into the Advertising Fund.

Brown reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to terminate or discontinue the Advertising Fund upon thirty (30) days' written notice to Franchisee. All unspent monies on the date of termination or discontinuance shall be distributed to franchisees of Brown in proportion to their respective contributions made to the Advertising Fund during the previous twelve (12) month period. Brown shall have the right to reinstate the Advertising Fund upon the same terms and conditions herein set forth upon thirty (30) days' prior written notice to Franchisee.

B. By Franchisee.

  • (1) Grand Opening and Marketing Deposit. Franchisee shall conduct a Grand Opening advertising campaign within thirty (30) days of opening his BROWN's Store.

Source: Item 22 — Contracts (FDD page 43)

What This Means (2025 FDD)

According to the 2025 Browns Chicken Franchise Disclosure Document, Browns Chicken does maintain and administer the Advertising Fund. Franchisees are required to contribute to this fund, with contributions capped at four percent (4%) of the store's Gross Sales. These payments are made weekly via electronic transfer or automatic debit, coinciding with royalty fee payments.

Browns Chicken has sole discretion over the advertising programs financed by the Advertising Fund, including creative concepts, materials, endorsements, and media placement. The fund covers various costs related to advertising, such as producing materials, electronic media, website maintenance, advertising agency fees, and market research. Franchisees receive approved advertising materials at the direct cost of production.

While Browns Chicken aims to maximize brand recognition and patronage through the Advertising Fund, it doesn't guarantee that expenditures in any specific geographic area will be proportionate to the contributions from Browns Chicken stores in that area. Browns Chicken retains the right to terminate or discontinue the Advertising Fund with thirty (30) days' written notice to franchisees, with any unspent funds distributed to franchisees based on their contributions over the previous twelve (12) months. Browns Chicken can reinstate the fund with similar notice.

Browns Chicken clarifies that the Advertising Fund is not a trust, but contributions are held for the benefit of contributors and used solely for purposes outlined in the agreement. The funds are accounted for separately from Browns Chicken's other funds and are not used for general operating expenses, except for reasonable salaries and administrative costs related to administering the fund and its advertising programs. Browns Chicken prepares an annual statement of monies collected and costs incurred by the Advertising Fund, which is available to franchisees upon written request.

Disclaimer: This information is extracted from the 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document and is provided for research purposes only. It does not constitute legal or financial advice. Consult with a franchise attorney before making any investment decisions.