Is advertising the Burros Fries business an obligation of the franchisee?
Burros_Fries Franchise · 2024 FDDAnswer from 2024 FDD Document
B. Web Page
We will provide to Franchisee a Burros & Fries page housed within the corporate website that may include interactive functionality and portals online for additional training, advertising, operational and support materials. Franchisee may customize parts of the web page with our approval however the look of the web page must remain consistent as specified in the Operations Manual. Franchisee agrees and acknowledges that maintenance and any changes, edits or updates to the web page must be performed by us, our affiliates and/or approved vendors. Upon approval of Franchisee's request, which must be submitted in writing, Franchisee is responsible for the cost of such changes. Franchisee may neither establish nor use any Website or perform any type of promotion over the Internet without our prior written approval and if such approval is granted Franchisee must comply with our requirements regarding discussing, advertising or disseminating any information on a Website, regarding the Business as described in Section 6 of this Agreement. We shall own all copyright and other intellectual property rights to the web page, as well as the contents of the corporate website or any other Website upon expiration or termination of this Agreement as described in Section 24.E and this agreement constitutes a "work for hire." In the event that an arbitral panel or a court of competent jurisdiction holds that the customizations or contents are not works for hire, then the Franchisee agrees to assign all copyright and other intellectual property rights to the customizations to us. The term "all copyright and other intellectual property rights" shall include ownership rights in all media, whether now known or hereinafter invented, by all means, methods, and processes, whether now known or hereinafter invented, including interactive rights and rights to derivate works.
The System Advertising Fee is to be received by us on or before the fifth (5th) day of each month for the prior month's Gross Revenue (as defined above in Section 10.A). This fee will be deposited into our System Advertising Account (the "Fund") for ongoing technology or new product development (including recipes and menu items) or kitchen equipment development, and such national advertising or public relations programs as we, in our sole discretion, may deem appropriate to promote our mark. The Fund may also be used for local franchisee group advertising or marketing and Franchisee advisory council expenses; local, regional, national or international advertising or marketing; administration of advertising and marketing (including salaries, accounting, collection, legal and other costs), related expenses and any media (including media production costs) or agency costs. We will direct all such programs, and will have sole discretion over the creative concepts, materials, endorsements and media used in such programs, and the placement or allocation of such programs. We reserve the right to determine in our sole discretionthe composition of all geographic territories and market areas for the implementation and development of such programs. The Burros & Fries Restaurants owned by our affiliates may will contribute on the same basis to the Fund but are not required.
Franchisee's failure to pay required System Advertising Fees is a material breach of this Agreement, subjecting Franchisee to all remedies at law and as set forth in this Agreement. We may remove Franchisee from advertising or marketing materials without notice if Franchisee fails to timely remit its System Advertising Fee.
B. Franchisee is Licensed to Use Names and Marks
With respect to Franchisee's franchised use of Burros & Fries Franchise, Inc.'s Names and Marks pursuant to this Agreement, Franchisee agrees that:
Franchisee shall use only the Names and Marks as are approved in writing by us for Franchisee's use, and shall use them only in the manner authorized and permitted by us and that in any use whatsoever of the Names and Marks of ours that the Names and Marks are identified as being registered to or owned by Burros & Fries Franchise, Inc., with exclusive rights give to us;
Franchisee shall use the Names and Marks only in connection with the operation of the Business and in advertising for the Business conducted at or from the Franchisee's web page and Accepted Location;
Franchisee shall use and display, as we may require in the operation of the Business, a notice in the form approved by us indicating that Franchisee is a "Franchise of Burros & Fries" and that the Names and Marks are used by Franchisee under such Franchise.
Franchisee must indicate to third parties that it is "independently owned and operated" and that we own the Marks and Franchisee uses them under a license;
Unless otherwise authorized or required by us, Franchisee shall operate and advertise the Business under the Name and Mark "Burros & Fries";
Franchisee's right to use the Names and Marks is limited to such usages as are authorized under this Agreement, and any unauthorized use shall constitute an infringement of our rights and a material breach of this Agreement;
Franchisee must obtain our approval for any use of any item of printed material of any kind bearing any of the Names or Marks, unless we supplied the item.
We shall approve or deny Franchisee's request, which approval is in our sole discretion, within thirty (30) days of receipt of Franchisee's written request.
If we fail to respond to Franchisee's request within said thirty (30) day period, Franchisee's request shall be deemed denied.
Franchisee shall use such notices of Trademark registrations and copyrights as we specify.
Source: Item 22 — CONTRACTS (FDD page 53)
What This Means (2024 FDD)
According to Burros Fries's 2024 Franchise Disclosure Document, franchisees have some obligations related to advertising. Burros Fries franchisees must operate and advertise the business under the name and mark "Burros & Fries" unless otherwise authorized or required by the franchisor. Franchisees are licensed to use Burros Fries's names and marks, but only as approved in writing by the franchisor and in the manner authorized. Any unauthorized use of the names and marks constitutes an infringement of Burros Fries's rights and a material breach of the Franchise Agreement. Franchisees must also indicate to third parties that the business is "independently owned and operated" and that Burros Fries owns the marks, which the franchisee uses under a license.
Burros Fries requires franchisees to obtain approval for any use of printed material bearing any of the names or marks, unless the franchisor supplied the item. The franchisor has 30 days to approve or deny the franchisee's request, and failure to respond within that period means the request is deemed denied. Franchisees must use trademark and copyright notices as specified by Burros Fries.
Burros Fries also administers a System Advertising Fund, into which franchisees pay a System Advertising Fee. This fee is to be received by Burros Fries on or before the fifth day of each month for the prior month's Gross Revenue. The funds are used for technology or new product development, kitchen equipment development, and national advertising or public relations programs. The fund may also be used for local franchisee group advertising or marketing and Franchisee advisory council expenses; local, regional, national or international advertising or marketing; administration of advertising and marketing, related expenses, and any media or agency costs. Burros Fries directs all such programs and has sole discretion over the creative concepts, materials, endorsements, and media used in such programs, and the placement or allocation of such programs. Failure to pay the System Advertising Fees is a material breach of the Franchise Agreement.
Burros Fries will provide franchisees with a Burros & Fries page within the corporate website, which may include interactive functionality and portals online for additional training, advertising, operational, and support materials. Franchisees may customize parts of the web page with the franchisor's approval, but the look of the web page must remain consistent as specified in the Operations Manual. Maintenance and any changes, edits, or updates to the web page must be performed by Burros Fries, its affiliates, and/or approved vendors, with the franchisee responsible for the cost of such changes upon approval of their written request. Franchisees may not establish or use any website or perform any type of promotion over the Internet without Burros Fries's prior written approval and must comply with the franchisor's requirements regarding discussing, advertising, or disseminating any information on a website regarding the business.