Is City Publications engaged in any other line of business besides franchising?
City_Publications Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
We were formed solely for the purpose of offering franchises and supporting franchisees who operate businesses in conjunction with the trademark "CITY PUBLICATIONS" and certain associated logos (collectively referred to as the "Marks"), and in accordance with our "System" which is described in greater detail in our Franchise Agreement, attached as Exhibit C to this Disclosure Document. We refer to these businesses as "CITY PUBLICATIONS Businesses." We refer to the CITY PUBLICATIONS Business you will operate as the "Franchised Business." Each CITY PUBLICATIONS Business provides high quality direct mail, email and mobile marketing, advertising targeted to the affluent homeowner. You may operate and administer the Franchised Business from a home office space of approximately 100 to 200 square feet. Typically, you will be located within or near the area you are servicing.
We have offered franchises since our formation in 2002. We do not and have not previously offered franchises in any other line of business. We do not own or operate a business of the type being franchised, however, as described below, our affiliate, through common ownership, operates one such business in Atlanta, Georgia. We are not engaged in any other line of business.
Source: Item 1 — THE FRANCHISOR, AND ANY PARENTS, PREDECESSORS AND AFFILIATES (FDD pages 8–9)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to City Publications' 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, City Publications focuses primarily on franchising. The FDD states that City Publications was formed solely for the purpose of offering franchises and supporting franchisees who operate businesses in conjunction with the trademark "CITY PUBLICATIONS". The company has been offering franchises since 2002. The document explicitly states, "We are not engaged in any other line of business."
However, the FDD also mentions that City Publications has an affiliate, City Publications Service, Inc. This affiliate provides marketing and design services, as well as mailing list services, to City Publications franchisees, in addition to other marketing activities unrelated to the franchise system. While the affiliate engages in these additional marketing activities, City Publications itself remains focused on franchising and supporting its franchisees.
It's important to note that City Publications is introducing a new print advertising franchise model in 2025, featuring a booklet of advertisements instead of the traditional card deck. This new model will be offered to both current and new franchisees. For new franchisees, the initial franchise fee for this model is $29,000, and a franchise agreement is required. This expansion indicates a diversification within the franchising model itself, rather than a completely separate line of business.