What control does a Coffee News franchisee have over the content of the periodical?
Coffee_News Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
ontent into the online feature system. Unless otherwise agreed in writing, any and all enrollment of Coffee News Online feature must be through the Franchisor.
5. CONTENT OF PERIODICAL.
- 5.1 MAINTENANCE OF CONTENT. Except as provided for herein, Franchisee shall not edit, change, add to, eliminate from, or alter in any way the contents or format of the Periodical without the prior written consent of Franchisor. For clarity, Franchisee agrees that the unalterable characteristics of the Periodical (the "Format") include, but are not limited to, the following:
- (a) Size. Eleven inches by seventeen inches (11" x 17") page size format.
- (b) Coloring. Light brown coloring of paper.
- (c) Format. Two-sided printing with each page divided into three (3) columns, with the two (2) border columns each allowing for eight (8) advertisements arranged vertically and a center column allowing for the publication of information.
- (d) Sections. On the cover page, the center column shall be divided into 5 sections entitled as the "Coffee News" heading, "Everybody's Talking", "Quoteable Quotes", "What's Happening" and "Trivia". On the reverse side, the center column shall be divided into 4 sections referred to as "Your Weekly Horoscope", "Did You Know", "On the Lighter Side" and "Answers" (to "Trivia" section on the cover page).
- (e) Proportions of Advertisements. The proportions of all advertisements are of equal size, approximately two and seven-eighths inches by two inches (2 7/8" x 2"), in a rectangular rounded corner box with one open corner.
- (f) Advertisement Borders. The borders of advertisements are in a series of backwards and forwards "S" shapes.
- 5.2 General Editorial Control. Franchisor shall exercise editorial supervision over the Periodical and may make such changes as it may deem necessary and advisable. Franchisor shall have final authority regarding the content of the Periodical.
6. NAMES, MARKS, TRADE SECRETS, AND COPYRIGHTS.
6.1 Franchise of "Coffee News" Name and Format. Nothing in this Agreement shall be construed as an assignment or grant to Franchisee of any right, title or interest in or to the "Coffee News" name or Format, it being understood that all rights relating hereto are reserved by 2703203 Manitoba Inc., a corporation of the Province of Manitoba, Canada and Franchisor except for this license to use the "Coffee News" name and Format only as specifically and expressly provided in this Agreement. Furthermore, nothing in this Agreement shall be construed as an assignment, grant or
license to Franchisee of any right, title or interest in any trade names, service marks, trade symbols, emblems, signs, slogans or insignia not designated by this Agreement as licensed to Franchisee, which may be developed by Franchisor for use with other franchisees.
Source: Item 23 — Receipts (FDD pages 36–118)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to the 2025 Coffee News Franchise Disclosure Document, franchisees have very limited control over the content of the Coffee News periodical. The franchisee cannot edit, change, add to, eliminate from, or alter the contents or format of the periodical in any way without prior written consent from Coffee News.
The FDD specifies that the unalterable characteristics of the periodical include the page size (11" x 17"), the light brown coloring of the paper, the two-sided printing format with three columns per page, and the specific sections on the cover and reverse pages, such as "Everybody's Talking," "Quoteable Quotes," "Your Weekly Horoscope," and "Did You Know". The proportions and borders of advertisements are also fixed.
Coffee News retains general editorial control over the periodical and has final authority regarding its content. To maintain brand consistency, Coffee News may require franchisees to post or use content provided by the company. Coffee News also reserves the right to monitor franchisees' social media use and remove any content that violates the company's social media policy, laws, or regulations, or that Coffee News deems inconsistent with its trademarks and logo. Franchisees are required to include disclaimers stating that the views and content are their own and do not necessarily reflect the position of Coffee News.