Is a Coffee News franchisee required to maintain the content of the periodical?
Coffee_News Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
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.
Source: Item 23 — Receipts (FDD pages 36–118)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to the 2025 Coffee News Franchise Disclosure Document, franchisees are generally required to maintain the content and format of the periodical. Specifically, franchisees cannot edit, change, add to, eliminate from, or alter the contents or format of the Coffee News publication without prior written consent from the franchisor. The unalterable characteristics, referred to as the "Format," include the size (11" x 17" page size), light brown coloring of the paper, two-sided printing with a specific column layout, designated sections with specific titles, equal proportions for advertisements, and specific advertisement borders using "S" shapes.
Coffee News retains editorial supervision over the periodical and can make changes it deems necessary. The franchisor has final authority regarding the content of the periodical. This ensures brand consistency and quality control across all franchise locations.
This requirement ensures a consistent brand image and customer experience across all Coffee News locations. While franchisees have some autonomy in their local advertising sales and distribution, the core content and format are centrally controlled by Coffee News to maintain uniformity and brand recognition.