Does Carbones Pizzeria require franchisees to spend a minimum amount on local advertising?
Carbones_Pizzeria Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
Although we do not require our franchisees to spend any minimum amounts on local advertising we encourage our franchisees to advertise their businesses in the trade area in which their Restaurant is located. We must approve all advertising for your Restaurant before it is published. (Franchise Agreement, Section 6). You must also work with our approved design firm in creating and publishing any advertising. (Franchise Agreement, Section 6). You must also obtain our approval before establishing, or having established, any websites, hashtags, profiles or accounts relating to us, your Restaurant, your business or to the franchise system. (Franchise Agreement, Section 6). We may also impose prohibitions on you posting or blogging comments about your Restaurant, business or the franchise system on social media. "Social media" 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.
Source: Item 11 — FRANCHISOR'S ASSISTANCE, ADVERTISING, COMPUTER SYSTEMS, AND TRAINING (FDD pages 15–19)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Carbones Pizzeria's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, franchisees are not required to spend a minimum amount on local advertising. However, Carbones Pizzeria encourages franchisees to advertise their businesses within the trade area where their restaurant is located.
While there is no mandatory minimum spending, Carbones Pizzeria retains control over local advertising content. Franchisees must obtain approval for all advertising materials before publication and must work with the franchisor's approved design firm for creating and publishing advertisements. Additionally, franchisees need approval before establishing any websites, hashtags, or social media profiles related to Carbones Pizzeria or their franchise.
Carbones Pizzeria also collects an advertising fee of 1% of monthly gross sales up to $2,000,000, with no advertising fee on gross sales exceeding that amount in a year. These funds are used to develop marketing and advertising programs to benefit the Carbone's Pizza brand. The franchisor may use these funds for various purposes, including consumer advertising, marketing technology, and media advertising. While franchisees are encouraged to participate in providing input regarding advertising methods, they are not required to participate in local or regional advertising cooperatives.