Under what conditions is a C3 Wellness Spa franchisee required to participate in an Advertising Cooperative?
C3_Wellness_Spa Franchise · 2024 FDDAnswer from 2024 FDD Document
At all times Franchisor, in Franchisor's Reasonable Business Judgment, possesses the right to authorize, establish, designate and de-authorize a local or regional advertising cooperative within those markets that Franchisor designates (the "Advertising Cooperative"). Franchisee agrees that Franchisor possesses the sole and exclusive right to designate any geographic area in which three or more Spa franchises are located as a region for the purpose of establishing an Advertising Cooperative. If Franchisee's Spa or Designated Territory is located within the geographic area of an Advertising Cooperative, franchisee must participate in and contribute to the Advertising Cooperative. Franchisee agrees to the following:
- (1) If Franchisor previously instituted or, in the future, institutes an Advertising Cooperative that includes, in whole or in part, Franchisee's Designated Territory or Franchisee's Spa Location, Franchisee shall participate in and make such on-going financial contributions to the Advertising Cooperative, as determined by the Advertising Cooperative;
- (2) Franchisor may establish foundational and organizational requirements of the Advertising Cooperative including voting provisions that allows the Advertising Cooperative to make decisions based on the simple majority vote (1 vote per franchisee Spa located within the designated area of the Advertising Cooperative) with a quorum constituting 25% of those franchisees within the Advertising Cooperative;
- (3) Unless otherwise authorized and approved by Franchisor in writing, each Advertising Cooperative shall be organized for the exclusive purpose of administering marketing programs and the development of media (all subject to the review and approval of Franchisor) for use by members of the Advertising Cooperative in local or regional marketing;
- (4) If at the time of execution of this Agreement an Advertising Cooperative has been established for a geographic area that includes, in whole or in part, Franchisee's Spa location or Designated Territory, or if such Advertising Cooperative is established during the Term of this Agreement, Franchisee shall fully participate in the Advertising Cooperative and Franchisee shall execute, at the request of Franchisor, all documents required by Franchisor and Franchisee shall become a member of the Advertising Cooperative subject to the terms of those documents;
- (5) Franchisee shall contribute to the Advertising Cooperative in the amounts as determined and required by the Advertising Cooperative or, otherwise in accordance with those documents governing the operation of the Advertising Cooperative; provided, however, Franchisee's contributions to the Advertising Cooperative shall not exceed Franchisee's local minimum marketing obligations set forth in Article 9.B. of this Agreement and Franchisee's contributions to the Advertising Cooperative shall count toward satisfaction of Franchisee's minimum local marketing obligations set forth in Article 9.B.;
- (6) Franchisee shall submit to the Advertising Cooperative and to Franchisor such statements and reports as may be required by the Advertising Cooperative and approved by Franchisor. All contributions to the Advertising Cooperative shall be maintained and administered in accordance with the documents governing the Advertising Cooperative. The Advertising Cooperative shall be operated solely for the purpose of collection and expenditure of the Advertising Cooperative's fees for the purpose set forth in this Article 9.F.;
- (7) No marketing materials, plans, or media may be used by the Advertising Cooperative or its members without the prior written approval of Franchisor;
- (8) Spa Location Franchises owned by Franchisor and/or Franchisor's affiliates that are located within the geographic area of the designated Advertising Cooperative are not required to make contributions to the Advertising Cooperative; and
- (9) The Advertising Cooperative must comply with the rules and regulations established by Franchisor in the Operations Manual which may be modified by Franchisor from time to time.
Source: Item 23 — RECEIPTS (FDD pages 59–293)
What This Means (2024 FDD)
According to the 2024 C3 Wellness Spa Franchise Disclosure Document, a franchisee is required to participate in an Advertising Cooperative under specific conditions. If C3 Wellness Spa institutes an Advertising Cooperative that includes the franchisee's designated territory or spa location, the franchisee must participate and contribute financially as determined by the cooperative. This applies whether the cooperative was established before the franchise agreement or during its term.
The franchisee's financial contributions to the Advertising Cooperative are capped at the franchisee's local minimum marketing obligations as outlined in Article 9.B of the franchise agreement. These contributions also count towards fulfilling the franchisee's minimum local marketing obligations. The Advertising Cooperative is intended to administer marketing programs and develop media for local or regional marketing, subject to C3 Wellness Spa's review and approval.
C3 Wellness Spa retains the right to authorize, establish, designate, and de-authorize local or regional advertising cooperatives in markets it designates. If a franchisee's spa or designated territory falls within the geographic area of an Advertising Cooperative, participation and contribution are mandatory. However, C3 Wellness Spa-owned locations or those of its affiliates within the cooperative's area are not required to contribute. The cooperative must also adhere to rules and regulations set by C3 Wellness Spa in the Operations Manual, which may be updated periodically.