factual

What is the nature of the operating assistance that Central Bark Doggy Day Care provides?

Central_Bark_Doggy_Day_Care Franchise · 2025 FDD

Answer from 2025 FDD Document

ory and supplies, providing approved services, advertising and promoting the business and operating the business. (Franchise Agreement – Section V.C. and V.D.)

    1. We will provide initial training for you or your Managing Owner (as defined below). We will also provide opening assistance. (See description below) (Franchise Agreement – Section V)
  1. We will provide you with the use of the Operating Manual and other manuals and training aids we designate, as we may revised them. (Franchise Agreement – Section VII.)

Our Obligations to Franchisees During the Operation of the Franchised Business – Franchise Agreement

After the opening of your Franchised Business, we will provide you with the following assistance:

    1. We will advise you of operating problems of the Franchised Business disclosed by reports submitted to or inspections we make. Operating assistance may include advice and guidance with respect to: (1) methods, standards and operating procedures utilized by a CENTRAL BARK facility; (2) products and services authorized for sale by a CENTRAL BARK facility; (3) selecting, purchasing, and displaying inventory; (4) advertising and promotional programs; and (5) administrative, bookkeeping, accounting, inventory control, sales and general operating procedures for the Franchised Business. (Franchise Agreement – Section V.D.)
    1. Guidance is furnished in the form of our Operating Manual, bulletins, or other written materials, telephonic consultations and/or consultations at our offices or at your Location in connection with an inspection of the Franchised Business. (Franchise Agreement – Section V.D.)
    1. We will administer a marketing fund. (Franchise Agreement Section VI.A.)
    1. We will maintain a Website to advertise, market and promote CENTRAL BARK facilities. (Franchise Agreement – Section VI.D.)
    1. We may periodically set a maximum or minimum price that you charge for products and services offered by your CENTRAL BARK facility, though we are not obligated to do so. We also may require you to comply with an advertising policy which will prohibit you from advertising any price for a product or service that is different than our suggested retail price. (Franchise Agreement – Section X.I.)

Marketing Programs.

Marketing Fund

You must contribute a monthly marketing fee equal to the greater of (i) 2% of the Gross Sales of your Franchised Business or (ii) $500 (the "Fund Contribution") to our system-wide marketing fund (the "Fund"). Fund Contributions are due at the same time and in the same manner as the Royalty Fee under the Franchise Agreement.

We use the Fund to develop and implement advertising, marketing, media placement, public relations, website development and maintenance, research, and other promotional activities that we determine are appropriate to promote the CENTRAL BARK brand and franchise system. These activities may include, but are not limited to: production of video, audio, and print advertising; digital marketing (e.g., search engine, social media, email, and display campaigns); development

and maintenance of websites and mobile apps; public relations efforts; and the creation of promotional materials and brand assets.

The Fund may also be used to pay for: (i) reasonable salaries and expenses of our employees who manage or support Fund activities; (ii) interest on borrowed funds; (iii) administrative costs and overhead related to Fund operations; and (iv) software and technology platforms used in marketing. We may produce marketing materials in-house or engage outside agencies. You will receive reasonable quantities of marketing materials at the same cost, terms, and conditions as other franchisees.

We may spend more or less than the total contributions to the Fund in any fiscal year. The Fund may borrow from us or third parties to cover shortfalls or invest surpluses for future use. While it is our intent to spend all contributions in the year received, unspent funds may be carried over to the following year.

During the fiscal year ended December 31, 2024, Fund expenditures were allocated as follows: 0.7% to creative production, 26.2% to website development and maintenance, 48.3% to administrative expenses, 24.8% to media placement and public relations, and 11.5% to other expenses.

The Fund is not a trust and is not our asset. It is accounted for separately from our other funds. We do not owe fiduciary duties to you in administering the Fund and assume no direct or indirect liability for its operation. We will provide an unaudited annual statement of Fund revenues and expenditures upon written request. We do not guarantee that your contributions will result in proportional or direct benefits to your Franchised Business.

Source: Item 11 — FRANCHISOR'S ASSISTANCE, ADVERTISING, COMPUTER SYSTEMS, AND TRAINING (FDD pages 24–32)

What This Means (2025 FDD)

According to Central Bark Doggy Day Care's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, after the opening of a franchised business, Central Bark Doggy Day Care will advise franchisees of operating problems disclosed by reports or inspections. This operating assistance includes advice and guidance regarding methods, standards, and operating procedures, authorized products and services, inventory selection and display, advertising and promotional programs, and administrative, bookkeeping, accounting, inventory control, sales, and general operating procedures. This guidance is provided through the Operating Manual, bulletins, written materials, telephonic consultations, and on-site consultations during inspections.

Central Bark Doggy Day Care also administers a marketing fund and maintains a website to advertise and promote Central Bark Doggy Day Care facilities. They may periodically set maximum or minimum prices for products and services, and require compliance with an advertising policy that prohibits advertising prices different from their suggested retail price. Franchisees must contribute to a system-wide marketing fund, with contributions being the greater of 2% of gross sales or $500 per month.

Central Bark Doggy Day Care may establish a local advertising cooperative (LAC) in areas with two or more locations. Franchisees are required to participate in the LAC and contribute their share, as determined by the LAC members, potentially up to 2% of gross sales. These LAC contributions will count toward local advertising expenditures. The franchisor also uses the marketing fund to develop advertising, marketing, media placement, public relations, website development, research, and other promotional activities. During the fiscal year ended December 31, 2024, fund expenditures were allocated as follows: 0.7% to creative production, 26.2% to website development and maintenance, 48.3% to administrative expenses, 24.8% to media placement and public relations, and 11.5% to other expenses.

Disclaimer: This information is extracted from the 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document and is provided for research purposes only. It does not constitute legal or financial advice. Consult with a franchise attorney before making any investment decisions.