Is pre-approval required for all advertising used by a Caring Senior Service franchisee?
Caring_Senior_Service Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
| Fee | Amount | Due Date | Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|
| Marketing Fee | 2% of Gross Billings | Payable at the same time and in the same manner as the Royalty Fee | See Item 11. |
| Local Advertising and Promotion | $5,000 during your first six months in operation; after which, if you do not have a full-time Homecare Consultant, we may require that you spend, in your next quarter, a maximum of the greater of $2,500 per month or 1% of Gross Billings from your previous quarter | As incurred | Payable to local advertising suppliers. All advertising you want to use must be pre approved by us. After your initial expenditures during your first six months in operation, at any time that you employ a full-time Homecare Consultant, we will not require that you spend a minimum local advertising expenditure amount. During any period you do not have a full time Homecare Consultant, however, you must prepare a quarterly marketing plan outlining your local advertising expenditure. We reserve the right to revise your plan, however, no revision we make will require that you spend, in your next quarter, more than the greater of $2,500 per month or 1% of Gross Billings from your previous quarter. If you do not submit the required marketing plans and reports, or you do not substantially implement any approved marketing plan, we may conduct promotional activities in your Territory for which costs and expenses you agree to reimburse us. |
Source: Item 6 — OTHER FEES (FDD pages 12–17)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Caring Senior Service's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, pre-approval is required for all advertising a franchisee wants to use. This requirement is specifically tied to local advertising and promotion efforts.
The FDD outlines that during the first six months of operation, franchisees are expected to spend $5,000 on local advertising and promotion. After this initial period, if a franchisee does not have a full-time Homecare Consultant, Caring Senior Service may require them to spend a minimum amount, which is the greater of $2,500 per month or 1% of Gross Billings from the previous quarter. Franchisees without a full-time Homecare Consultant must also prepare a quarterly marketing plan for approval. Caring Senior Service retains the right to revise this plan, but any revisions will not exceed the aforementioned spending limits.
If a franchisee fails to submit the required marketing plans and reports or does not substantially implement an approved marketing plan, Caring Senior Service may conduct promotional activities in the franchisee's territory, and the franchisee agrees to reimburse Caring Senior Service for the associated costs and expenses. This pre-approval requirement and the potential for franchisor-led marketing activities underscore the importance of adhering to Caring Senior Service's advertising standards and guidelines.