What are the specific obligations of a Cinnaholic franchisee regarding advertising and promotion (Item 9), and how does this relate to the franchisor's advertising assistance (Item 11)?
Cinnaholic Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
Franchisee recognizes the mutual benefit to Franchisee, Franchisor and other franchisees of the CINNAHOLIC® System of the uniformity of the appearance, services, products and advertising of the CINNAHOLIC® System and acknowledges and agrees that such uniformities are necessary for the successful operation of CINNAHOLIC® Bakeries. Franchisee also acknowledges and agrees that products and services sold under the Marks and at CINNAHOLIC® Bakeries have a reputation for excellence. This reputation has been developed and maintained by Franchisor, and Franchisee acknowledges and agrees that it is of the utmost importance to Franchisor, Franchisee, and all other franchisees of the CINNAHOLIC® System that such reputation be maintained. To this end, Franchisee covenants and warrants with respect to the operation of the Bakery that Franchisee and its employees and agents will comply with all of the requirements of the CINNAHOLIC® System and the Operations Manual and will throughout the term of this Agreement:
- (i) Operate the Bakery and prepare and sell all products and services sold therein in accordance with the specifications, standards, business practices and policies of Franchisor now in effect or hereafter promulgated, and comply with all requirements of Franchisor, the CINNAHOLIC® System and the Operations Manual as they are now or hereafter established, including, without limitation, any health, sanitation and cleanliness standards and specifications.
11.2. Advertising Fund. In addition to all other amounts required to be paid hereunder, during the term hereof, Franchisee must pay to Franchisor, or such other entity designated by Franchisor, an amount based upon Gross Sales to be designated by Franchisor from time to time, in its sole discretion, provided such amount shall not exceed 2% of Gross Sales (the "Advertising Fee"), which amount shall be used by the Advertising Fund (as such term is hereinafter defined). The Advertising Fee shall be the same for all CINNAHOLIC® franchisees. Payment of the Advertising Fee shall be made on or before Tuesday of each week and be based upon Gross Sales of the Bakery for the preceding week. Advertising Fees shall be paid concurrently with the payment of the Royalty Fees.
The Advertising Fee will be expended for the benefit of Franchisor, Franchisee and all other franchisees or users of the CINNAHOLIC® for the production or purchase of such radio, television, print and/or other advertising materials or services as Franchisor deems necessary or appropriate, in its sole discretion, on a national, regional or local basis (the "Advertising Fund"). The expenditure of such funds for advertising is to be under the control of, and in the discretion of, Franchisor at all times, or such other entities designated by Franchisor. Franchisee understands and acknowledges that the Advertising Fund is intended to maximize and support general public recognition, brand identity, sales and patronage of CINNAHOLIC® Bakeries for the benefit of all CINNAHOLIC® Bakeries and that Franchisor undertakes no obligation to ensure that the Advertising Fund benefits each CINNAHOLIC® Bakery in proportion to its respective contributions. Franchisor agrees that all funds contributed to the Advertising Fund may be used to meet any and all costs (including, without limitation, reasonable salaries and overhead incurred by Franchisor) of maintaining, administering, directing and preparing national, regional or local advertising materials, programs and public relations activities including, without limitation, the costs of preparing and conducting television, radio, magazine, billboard, newspaper, direct response literature, direct mailings, brochures, collateral advertising material, implementing websites for Franchisor and/or its franchises, surveys of advertising effectiveness and other media programs and activities, employing advertising agencies to assist therewith and providing promotional brochures, decals and other marketing materials.
During the term of this Agreement, Franchisor may, in its sole discretion, upon the request of Franchisee, furnish counseling and advisory services to Franchisee with respect to the opening and operation of the Bakery, including consultation and advice regarding the following: (i) equipment selection and layout; (ii) employee selection and training; (iii) advertising and promotion; (iv) recipes, food, formulas and specifications; (v) bookkeeping and accounting; (vi) purchasing and inventory control; (vii) operational problems and procedures; (viii) periodic inspections; and (ix) new developments and improvements to the CINNAHOLIC® System. These counseling and advisory services shall occur at Franchisor's offices or via telephone or e-mail. Franchisor shall provide such assistance at no expense to Franchisee; provided, however, Franchisor reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to charge Franchisee a reasonable fee for unusual, extensive or extraordinary assistance requested by Franchisee and/or require Franchisee to reimburse Franchisor for expenses incurred by it in connection with providing such counseling and advisory services. In addition, if requested by Franchisee and Franchisor's personnel are available, Franchisor may provide onsite assistance and training at the Bakery, however, Franchisor reserves the right to charge a reasonable fee for this onsite assistance plus expenses and costs incurred by Franchisor in rendering such assistance. In no event shall Franchisor be liable to Franchisee in connection with providing or failing to provide such services.
Local Advertising. You must spend at least 2% of your Gross Sales each calendar quarter on local advertising. We have the right to require that you provide us with proof that these funds were spent. If we require you to participate in an advertising cooperative, you will be able to designate a portion of the monies otherwise spent on local advertising towards the funds required by the cooperative. All affiliate-owned Bakeries must spend money for local advertising on an equal percentage basis with all franchised Bakeries.
Any advertising or marketing materials not prepared or previously approved by us must be submitted to us at least two weeks before any publication or run date for approval. All advertising and promotion must be factually accurate and must not detrimentally affect the Marks or the CINNAHOLIC® franchise system. We may grant or withhold our approval of any advertising or marketing materials, in our sole discretion. We will provide you with written notification of our approval or disapproval within a reasonable time. If we do not notify you of our approval or disapproval within 10 days of our receipt of the materials, the materials will be deemed approved. You must discontinue your use of any approved advertising within five days of your receipt of our request if we subsequently request you to do so. (See Franchise Agreement, Section 11.5).
You must participate in any promotional and advertising programs that we establish.
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Cinnaholic's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, franchisees have several obligations regarding advertising and promotion. Cinnaholic franchisees must recognize the mutual benefit of uniformity in the brand's appearance, services, products, and advertising. Franchisees must operate their bakeries and sell products and services according to Cinnaholic's standards, business practices, and policies. Franchisees must also participate in any promotional and advertising programs that Cinnaholic establishes.
In addition to these obligations, Cinnaholic franchisees are required to pay an Advertising Fee, which cannot exceed 2% of Gross Sales. This fee is paid weekly, along with royalty fees, and is used for the Advertising Fund. The Advertising Fund is controlled by Cinnaholic and is used for advertising materials and services on a national, regional, or local basis. Cinnaholic is not obligated to ensure that each bakery benefits proportionally to its contributions.
Cinnaholic also provides assistance to franchisees in advertising and promotion. Cinnaholic will give franchisees periodic guidance on advertising and promotion. Cinnaholic also provides access to advertising and promotional materials they develop. Franchisees must spend at least 2% of their Gross Sales each calendar quarter on local advertising, and Cinnaholic has the right to request proof of these expenditures. Any advertising or marketing materials not prepared or previously approved by Cinnaholic must be submitted for approval at least two weeks before publication. Cinnaholic may grant or withhold approval in its sole discretion. Franchisees must discontinue use of any approved advertising within five days of receiving a request to do so from Cinnaholic.
Cinnaholic may form advertising cooperatives, and if a franchisee is required to participate, they can allocate a portion of their local advertising funds to the cooperative. Cinnaholic retains the right to approve all marketing programs and advertising materials of the cooperative and can terminate or suspend a cooperative's program or operations with 30 days' notice. Cinnaholic does not restrict where franchisees can advertise, and other franchisees are not precluded from advertising in a franchisee's territory. Cinnaholic or its affiliates may also advertise within a franchisee's territory for the sale of products and supplies.