What is the Carbones Pizzeria franchisee's obligation regarding advertising?
Carbones_Pizzeria Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
Royalty payment not remitted on time shall bear interest at the rate of one and a half percent (1.5%) per month, until such time as it is received by Franchisor; provided, however, that if any applicable state law limits the maximum legal interest rate to a lower amount, then in that event the lower interest rate will be applicable.
6. Advertising; Advertising Fee.
- a. Franchisor must approve all advertising of the Restaurant by or on behalf of Franchisee before it is published. Franchisee shall work with Franchisor's approved design firm in creating and publishing any advertising
- b. Franchisee may not offer, promote or sell any products or services or make use of any of the Names and Marks, via any social media presence, including any websites, hashtags, profiles or accounts relating to the Franchise, without Franchisor's prior written approval. Franchisee acknowledges that Franchisor may also impose prohibitions on Franchisee posting or blogging of comments about Franchisor, the Restaurant, or the Carbone System. The foregoing prohibition includes personal blogs, common social networks like Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, X, Snapchat and Pinterest; professional networks, business profiles or online review or opinion sites like LinkedIn, Google Business Profile or Yelp; live-blogging tools like X and Snapchat; virtual worlds, metaverses, file, audio and video-sharing sites, and other similar social networking or media sites or tools.
- c. Franchisor will maintain and administer the Carbone's Pizza Advertising Fund. Franchisee will pay Franchisor monthly, at the same time as it makes its Royalty payment, an "Advertising Fee" of one percent (1%) of monthly Gross Sales. The Advertising Fee shall not be due on Gross Sales exceeding $2,000,000 in any calendar year.
- d. Franchisor may use monies in the Carbone's Pizza Advertising Fund for any purpose that promotes the Carbone System, and its Names and Marks, including the creation, production and placement of consumer advertising; purchase of marketing related technology platforms, such as social media management, market research, consumer insights and analytics; costs of preparing and conducting local, regional or national media of Franchisor's choice, including: television, radio, internet, magazine, direct mail and newspaper, billboard, social media and digital advertising, direct mail campaigns, and other public relations activities; developing and/or hosting an internet web page or similar activities; administering advertising programs, direct mail and other media advertising; in-house staff assistance and related administrative costs; local and regional promotions; public relations campaigns including the cost of retaining public relations firms; consumer and market research (including surveys and sampling); and other advertising and marketing activities.
- e. Advertising Fees not paid by Franchisee as required herein shall bear interest at the rate of one and a half percent (1.5%) per month, provided, however, that in no event shall the rate of interest payable by Franchisee on any unpaid balance under this Agreement exceed the maximum legal rate under applicable law.
f. Franchisee shall participate in soft drink group buying and advertising programs whereby Franchisor may enter into agreements relating to the sale of soft drink products to be sold by Franchisee and other franchisees. Franchisee shall also participate in any other group buying programs required by Franchisor.
**7.
Source: Item 23 — RECEIPTS (FDD pages 30–116)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Carbones Pizzeria's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, franchisees have several obligations regarding advertising. First, the franchisee must pay an Advertising Fee of 1% of monthly Gross Sales, though this fee is not applied to Gross Sales exceeding $2,000,000 in any calendar year. This fee is paid monthly, at the same time as the royalty payment. If the franchisee fails to pay the advertising fees when required, they will incur interest at a rate of 1.5% per month.
Carbones Pizzeria franchisees must obtain approval from the franchisor for all advertising of the Restaurant before it is published. Franchisees are required to work with Carbones Pizzeria's approved design firm when creating and publishing any advertising. Franchisees are also prohibited from using social media to offer, promote, or sell any products or services, or to use any of the Names and Marks, without prior written approval from Carbones Pizzeria. This includes websites, hashtags, profiles, or accounts related to the franchise.
Carbones Pizzeria also maintains and administers the Carbone's Pizza Advertising Fund, which the franchisor uses to promote the Carbone System and its Names and Marks. The franchisor has discretion over how the fund is used, including for advertising, marketing, market research, and public relations activities. Franchisees are also required to participate in soft drink group buying and advertising programs, as well as any other group buying programs required by the franchisor. Finally, the franchisee must adhere to the advertising and promotional requirements of Carbones Pizzeria.