Can a Cordova franchisee engage in marketing that is not preapproved by Cordova?
Cordova Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
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- Generally All advertising, marketing, marketing materials and all marketing mediums used by you in the marketing and promotion of the Franchised Business must be pre-approved by us in writing and conform to our standards and specifications. You may only use those advertising and marketing materials and mediums that we designate and approve in writing. In our discretion we may make available to you approved marketing templates comprised of pre-approved ads, ad copy and digital media that you may utilize at your own expense. If you wish to utilize marketing materials and/or marketing mediums that are not currently approved by us in writing, you may submit a written request requesting permission and we will approve or disapprove of your request within 15 days of your submission of the written request and sample marketing materials. We are not required to conduct any advertising or spend any amount on your behalf on advertising in your operating territory. (Franchise Agreement, Article 9);
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- Franchisee Directed Local Marketing You are not authorized to engage in any marketing unless it is preapproved by us, in our discretion. (Franchise Agreement, Article 9.B.). You are required to engage in local marketing and you are required to commit specific minimum amount of funds to your local marketing efforts. We will make available to you and provide you with access, in the form of a source document, to our approved marketing campaigns, media, and messaging that may be used by you. In those instances where we provide you with access to our marketing campaigns, we provide you with the source designs, copy, and design specifications. However, you will incur the direct costs associated with customizing, duplicating and using such marketing campaigns and having them printed, distributed and placed with media sources. (Franchise Agreement, Article 9);
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Digital Media and Website All digital media and marketing must be approved by us.
Source: Item 11 — FRANCHISOR'S ASSISTANCE, ADVERTISING, COMPUTER SYSTEMS AND TRAINING (FDD pages 23–28)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Cordova's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, franchisees are generally not authorized to engage in marketing unless it is pre-approved by Cordova. All advertising, marketing materials, and mediums used to promote the franchised business must receive written pre-approval from Cordova and conform to their standards. Franchisees may only use advertising and marketing materials that Cordova designates and approves in writing.
Cordova may provide approved marketing templates, including pre-approved ads, ad copy, and digital media, for franchisees to use at their own expense. If a franchisee wants to use marketing materials or mediums not already approved, they can submit a written request for permission. Cordova will then approve or disapprove the request within 15 days of submission.
Cordova also maintains full discretion over marketing standards and media used for promotion. All digital media and marketing must be approved by Cordova. Franchisees are required to engage in local marketing and commit a specific minimum amount of funds to these efforts. Cordova will provide access to approved marketing campaigns, media, and messaging, but franchisees will bear the costs of customizing, duplicating, and using these materials.