What are the different marketing methods Buona franchisees can use to promote their location?
Buona Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
r respective contributions made to the Marketing Fund during the previous twelve (12) month period. Franchisor shall have the right to reinstate the Marketing Fund upon the same terms and conditions herein set forth upon thirty (30) days' prior written notice to Franchisee.
- 11.2 Local Advertising. Beginning on the date of opening of the Franchised Business, in addition to the requirement for Franchisee to contribute to the Marketing Fund, each Period Franchisee must spend a minimum of one percent (1%) of the Gross Sales of the Franchised Business on local advertising, marketing and promotion to promote both the Buona and The Original Rainbow Cone Brands. Such expenditures will be made directly by Franchisee, subject to Franchisor's approval and direction. At Franchisor's request, Franchisee must furnish to Franchisor in a manner approved by Franchisor an accurate accounting of Franchisee's local advertising and marketing expenditures for each Period.
- 11.3 Grand Opening Advertising and Marketing. Beginning sixty (60) days prior to the opening of the Franchised Business and continuing through the first ninety (90) days of operation of the Franchised Business, Franchisee must spend a minimum of Twenty-Five Thousand Dollars ($25,000.00) conducting an advertising and marketing campaign to promote the grand opening of the Franchised Business and both Brands. Grand opening monies will be spent on social media, print, radio, digital advertising and/or other advertising or promotions that Franchisor and Franchisee agree is best suited for Franchisee's grand opening campaign. The grand opening advertising and marketing shall be conducted in accordance
with the Manuals and/or other written guidelines Franchisor may issue on initial advertising and promotion.
11.4 Co-operative Advertising. Franchisee shall join and participate in any local advertising cooperative which has been or may be formed consisting of franchisees and/or Franchisor-owned or Affiliateowned Franchised Businesses in Franchisee's area or region. Franchisee agrees to contribute to the cooperative in the amount and manner agreed upon by a majority of the members of the cooperative. Contributions made by you to the cooperative will be credited to your local advertising expenditure requirements in Section 11.2 above.
Source: Item 22 — CONTRACTS (FDD page 78)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Buona's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, franchisees have several avenues for marketing and promotion, both at the grand opening and on an ongoing local level. For the grand opening, franchisees must spend a minimum of $25,000 within the 60 days prior to opening and the first 90 days of operation. These funds can be used for social media, print, radio, and digital advertising, or other promotions that both Buona and the franchisee agree are suitable for the grand opening campaign. This marketing must align with the guidelines provided in Buona's manuals or other written instructions.
In addition to contributing to the Marketing Fund, franchisees are also required to engage in local advertising. Starting from the date the franchise opens, franchisees must spend at least 1% of their gross sales on local advertising, marketing, and promotion. This is intended to promote both the Buona and The Original Rainbow Cone brands. These expenditures are made directly by the franchisee but are subject to Buona's approval and direction. Franchisees must also provide an accurate accounting of their local advertising and marketing expenditures to Buona upon request.
Buona also engages in multi-area marketing programs, including internet and regional or national accounts, and reserves the right to establish mandatory policies and procedures for these programs. While franchisees are generally required to use the Marks in conjunction with identifying themselves as an independent franchisee in their advertising and promotional materials, Buona maintains control over the use of its Marks and can implement marketing programs at a broader level.