factual

Is Christies International Real Estate obligated to conduct advertising for its licensees?

Christies_International_Real_Estate Franchise · 2025 FDD

Answer from 2025 FDD Document

ng. We do not guarantee your note, lease, or obligation.

ITEM 11 FRANCHISOR'S ASSISTANCE, ADVERTISING, COMPUTER SYSTEMS AND TRAINING

Except as listed below, we are not required to provide you with any assistance.

Pre-Opening Obligations. Before you commence operations of your Business, we will:

  • Initial Training. We provide an initial training program as described below. (License Agreement, Section 4.1).
  • Lease. We will review and consent to your proposed leases for the Main Office. (License Agreement, Section 5.2(b)).
  • Operations Manual. We provide access to our confidential manual, which includes IP Owner's Brand Guidelines regarding the use of the Marks (the "Operations Manual"). (License Agreement, Section 4.9).
  • Pre-Approved Suppliers. We may establish and provide a list of pre-approved suppliers (which will include written specifications for certain items of equipment, signs, fixtures, opening inventory and supplies in some instances and pre-approved suppliers in other instances). We do not deliver or install any items. (License Agreement, Section 5.6).

During the Operation of the Business. During the term of the License Agreement, we will provide the following support to you:

  • Operational Support. We may offer assistance with operating problems and issues that you may encounter. (License Agreement, Section 4.4).

  • Ancillary Services. We or our affiliates may offer other ancillary services, directly or indirectly, to assist you in operating your Business. However, you are not required to use ancillary services. Ancillary services may include new development consulting and marketing, certain loan brokerage services, escrow services, title searches, and similar products or services related to a real estate brokerage operation, but we will not provide assistance in establishing prices for your Business. These services may not be available in all markets, and we have the right to add, change or discontinue any ancillary service at any time, and we reserve the right to charge our then-current fees for such ancillary services. (License Agreement, Section 4.7).

  • Marketing Support. Review marketing materials that you propose. (License Agreement, Section 7.2)

  • Software and Computer Systems. We may specify software and computer systems to assist in the operation of your Business. We or a designee will assist you to obtain the appropriate MLS data feed. (License Agreement, Sections 5.10 and 5.12).

  • Additional Training or Seminars. Provide additional option and mandatory training and conferences, as described below. (License Agreement, Sections 4.2 – 4.8).

  • Update the Operations Manual. Periodically provide you with updated and revised materials for the Operations Manuals (License Agreement, Section 4.9).

Site Selection, Time to Open:

We do not generally own the premises for your Main Office or Additional Offices and lease it to you. We must consent to any site you select before you sign a lease for that location. We typically provide you our consent (or notice that we don't consent) to a proposed site within 14 days of your submission to us of the information required by us on the proposed site. You may not operate your Business from a home office. We may allow you to utilize a co-working or shared office space for a temporary period after you commence operations of the Business; however, this will not likely be a long-term office solution that we consent to for your Business and we may require a separate physical office location for your Main Office.

Source: Item 11 — FRANCHISOR'S ASSISTANCE, ADVERTISING, COMPUTER SYSTEMS AND TRAINING (FDD pages 26–33)

What This Means (2025 FDD)

According to the 2025 Christies International Real Estate FDD, Christies International Real Estate is not required to provide franchisees with advertising, except as listed in Item 11. However, Christies International Real Estate does provide marketing support by reviewing proposed marketing materials.

Christies International Real Estate offers support to franchisees during the operation of the business, which may include operational support to help with issues that may arise. They may also offer ancillary services to assist in operating the business, such as new development consulting and marketing. However, franchisees are not required to use these services.

The franchisee is required to adhere to brand standards and advertising policies outlined in the Operations Manual. Franchisees must also obtain written approval before creating an independent website and must comply with the brand guidelines for digital marketing and social media.

In the fiscal year ending December 31, 2024, Christies International Real Estate did not collect or spend any advertising fund fees. This indicates that franchisees may need to handle the majority of their advertising and marketing efforts, although they do receive some support and oversight from the franchisor.

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.