After the initial period, what options does the Coffee News franchisee have regarding printing services?
Coffee_News Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
all have the right to produce and supply Copy to Franchisee under the terms of a separate agreement entered into between Franchisor and 2703203 Manitoba Inc.
- 4.4 Printing Services. Franchisee acknowledges and agrees that it will purchase the printing services from Coffee News Printing, LLC in Bangor, Maine for a minimum period of one (1) year from the date of this Agreement. Upon expiration of such one (1) year, Franchisee may continue using the printing service of Coffee News Printing, LLC, but has the option to purchase printing service from another print shop.
Source: Item 23 — Receipts (FDD pages 36–118)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to the 2025 Coffee News Franchise Disclosure Document, franchisees must purchase printing services from Coffee News Printing, LLC for the first year of their agreement. After this initial one-year period, Coffee News franchisees have the option to continue using Coffee News Printing, LLC, or they can choose to purchase printing services from another print shop.
However, there is an exception to this rule. If Coffee News provides financing to a franchisee to purchase a minimum of four franchised units, and the franchisee has made the initial training fee payment, the franchisee must use the printing services of Coffee News Printing, LLC for the entire term of the loan. This condition ensures that Coffee News maintains a level of quality control and consistency in its publications, especially when it has a financial stake in the franchisee's operations.
This requirement to use Coffee News's printing services for the first year, and potentially longer if financing is involved, is an important consideration for prospective franchisees. It impacts their operational costs and potentially limits their ability to negotiate for better printing rates or services from local providers. Franchisees should carefully evaluate the costs and benefits of using Coffee News Printing, LLC, and factor this into their overall business plan.