Besides the Advertising Contribution and Grand Opening Advertising, what other advertising-related obligation might a Carvel franchisee have?
Carvel Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
and install all materials necessary to participate in the promotional campaigns, including counter cards, posters, banners, signs, photographs, give-away items, and gift cards.
E. Local Marketing Obligation.
(i) Local Marketing. Unless otherwise specified in Schedule A, you must aggressively advertise, market, and promote your Franchised Business locally in accordance with our Standards and must spend a reasonable amount each calendar quarter for local market advertising. If we require you to spend a minimum amount on local market advertising, we will
specify the minimum amount in Schedule A (the "Local Marketing Obligation") and, upon our request, require you to submit for our written approval an annual local marketing plan. We may change the Local Marketing Obligation, provided that we must give you at least 60 days' written notice of the change. Your Local Marketing Obligation will be in addition to amounts you must pay or spend under Section 3.2.B (Advertising Contribution) and for the Grand Opening Obligation under Section 10.1.C. (Grand Opening Advertising). You will be responsible for determining the amount of advertising funds you spend for individual local market advertising, subject to the Local Marketing Obligation (if any) and our approval of your annual local marketing plan, if applicable.
- (ii) Compliance with the Local Marketing Obligation. Any contributions that you make to an Advertising Cooperative (if one exists) may be counted towards your Local Marketing Obligation. The following expenditures or costs will not count towards your Local Marketing Obligation: salaries, donations, press parties, in-store fixtures or equipment, menus, serving guides and nutritional facts, yellow page advertising, exterior or interior signage, and incentive programs, including costs of honoring coupons and food costs incurred in honoring sales promotions. We have the right to require you to provide documentation that demonstrates your compliance with the Local Marketing Obligation. If you fail to make advertising expenditures in accordance with this Section, we will have the right to spend an amount not to exceed your Local Marketing Obligation on local advertising for you, and you must reimburse us for these expenses. Your failure to comply with this Section10.1.E. is a material breach of this Agreement.
- (iii) Payment to Us. We have the right upon written notice to you to require you to pay all or a portion of the Local Marketing Obligation to us for us to, in our sole discretion, (a) contribute to the Ad Fund (as defined in Section 10.3.A. (Contributions to Ad Fund)), (b) spend on national, regional, or local advertising campaigns, (c) contribute to the Advertising Cooperative (as defined in Section 10.4.A. (Participation)) in your market, or (d) spend on local advertising in your market. If we exercise our right to collect your entire Local Marketing Obligation (and not just a portion of it), you will not be required to (x) spend a minimum amount on local advertising (other than your Grand Opening Obligation), (y) provide a local marketing plan, or (z) participate in, or contribute to, your Advertising Cooperative. We are not obligated to ensure that the Local Marketing Obligation monies that we spend are proportionate or equivalent to your contributions or that the Franchised Business will benefit directly or pro rata or in any amount from the placement of advertising.
10.2 Digital Marketing.
- A. Restrictions.
Source: Item 23 — Receipts (FDD pages 100–353)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to the 2025 Carvel FDD, franchisees may also be subject to a Local Marketing Obligation. Unless specified otherwise, Carvel franchisees must aggressively advertise, market, and promote their franchised business locally in accordance with Carvel's standards, spending a reasonable amount each calendar quarter. If Carvel specifies a minimum amount for local market advertising in Schedule A, this is the Local Marketing Obligation, and Carvel may require franchisees to submit an annual local marketing plan for written approval. This Local Marketing Obligation is in addition to the Advertising Contribution and Grand Opening Obligation.
The FDD states that the Local Marketing Obligation is equal to 1% of the Net Sales of the franchised business per calendar quarter. Carvel retains the right to modify the Local Marketing Obligation, providing at least 60 days' written notice of any changes. Franchisees are responsible for determining the specific allocation of advertising funds for individual local market advertising, provided they adhere to the Local Marketing Obligation, if any, and receive approval for their annual local marketing plan, if required.
Carvel may also require franchisees to participate in local, regional, or national cooperative advertising groups, known as Advertising Cooperatives. If participation is mandated, franchisees must enter into formal agreements and adhere to the decisions made by the Advertising Cooperative regarding advertising and marketing in the covered area. Payments to the Advertising Cooperative are determined by the participants and credited towards the Local Marketing Obligation. However, these contributions are in addition to the Advertising Contribution and Grand Opening Obligation. Failure to comply with the Advertising Cooperative's agreements or payments constitutes a material breach of the franchise agreement.