Can the Casiola Brand Development Fund pay for media placements that benefit a franchisee's Administrative Office or Operating Market?

According to Casiola's 2024 Franchise Disclosure Document, the Brand Development Fund will generally not be used to directly market or promote an individual Franchised Business. Casiola retains the discretion to direct advertising, media placement, marketing, and public relations programs financed by the Brand Development Fund. However, the Brand Development Fund will not be used to pay for media placements that may benefit or include any media market that includes a franchisee's Administrative Office or Operating Market, unless otherwise directed by Casiola in its Reasonable Business Judgment.

This means that as a Casiola franchisee, you generally cannot expect the Brand Development Fund to be used for advertising campaigns specifically targeting your local market or administrative office. The fund is intended for the general enhancement of the Casiola brand and public recognition of the Licensed Marks.

However, Casiola retains the right to make exceptions to this rule in its Reasonable Business Judgment. This provides Casiola with the flexibility to support specific markets or administrative offices if it deems such support to be in the best interest of the overall Casiola system. As a prospective franchisee, it would be prudent to discuss with Casiola under what circumstances the Brand Development Fund might be used to support a franchisee's local market.