What rights does a Coffee News franchisee receive regarding publishing the Periodical?
Coffee_News Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
ffered**
We sell to you the right to publish Coffee News (the "Periodical") in hard copy and/or online version ("Coffee News Online"), and to distribute the Periodical to restaurants and other local establishments and to distribute Coffee News Online within a specified geographic area which is your exclusive territory. "You" or "Publisher" represents the franchisee, or in the event of a corporation, limited partnership, or other entity, "you" represents the owners of the franchisee or the Publisher. You will generate revenue through sales of advertising space on weekly editions of the Periodical. Food-related businesses such as restaurants distribute Coffee News as a service to their clientele and do not pay or receive any fee for this service. There are no limits as to where you may sell advertising.
On July 3, 1995, we acquired and operated 4 franchises in the Greater Bangor, Maine area until October 1, 2003 when they were sold. On August 1, 2012, we reacquired the 4 franchises in the Greater Bangor Area in Maine and have added a 5th franchise for Waldo County, Maine. On June 1, 2017, we assumed control of five (5) franchises in Maine due to the sudden death of the franchisee. On October 1, 2019 the four (4) franchises in the Greater Bangor area in Maine, along with the one (1) Waldo County, Maine edition were sold bringing our company owned franchises to three (3). Since February 5, 1996, we have offered franchises for sale as a sub franchisor in the USA, Central America, and the Caribbean.
On January 4, 2021, we offered Coffee News Online, as a service from Chil Consulting in Ontario, Canada. On January 1, 2022, we offered a second Online service from Shadow Fox Consulting in Valdosta, GA. This enables you to offer an online version of Coffee News to readers within the service area of your print franchises. This service is mobile ready.
We do not operate any other line of businesses in this corporation.
The Periodical will compete for readership, display space, and advertising revenue with other print and online media. The publication is designed and intended for readership in restaurants, coffee shops, and other public places where patrons sit, wait, and eat. We know of no other periodical that has this specific focus.
You will compete for advertising revenue with all other media forms in the territory and there is no reason to believe you will be insulated in any way from the competition. The following strategies employed by us have been used extensively in Canada since 1988:
- The Periodical is designed specifically for use anywhere people are sitting, waiting or eating and in high foot traffic locations or online.
-
- Only one advertisement is suggested from each industry per edition.
Source: Item 1 — The Franchisor and any Parents, Predecessors, and Affiliates (FDD pages 7–9)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Coffee News's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, franchisees, referred to as "Publishers," are granted the right to publish Coffee News, both in hard copy and online versions, within a specific geographic area that constitutes their exclusive territory. This includes the right to distribute the periodical to local establishments like restaurants and to manage its online distribution. The primary revenue stream for franchisees comes from the sale of advertising space in the weekly editions of the Periodical. Food-related businesses, such as restaurants, receive Coffee News as a complimentary service for their customers and do not pay for it, except for advertising in seasonal or online editions.
Coffee News franchisees are responsible for providing local content for the "What's Happening" section of the Periodical, in addition to selling advertising. While Coffee News USA provides weekly copy, franchisees are not authorized to edit this copy without written permission from the franchisor. This ensures consistency across all Coffee News publications. Franchisees also have the option to enroll in Coffee News Online, with choices between Basic and Premium features as detailed in Section 4 of the Franchise Agreement, to enhance marketing opportunities and generate additional advertising revenue.
Prospective Coffee News franchisees should note that they will face competition for readership and advertising revenue from other print and online media within their territory. However, Coffee News aims to differentiate itself by focusing on distribution in restaurants, coffee shops, and similar public places. The franchisor employs specific strategies, such as limiting advertisements from each industry per edition and ensuring uniform ad sizes, to maximize readership. These strategies have been used extensively in Canada since 1988 and are adapted for the U.S. market, with some variations for online versions.