Which Disclosure Document item discusses advertising requirements for Counselor Realty franchisees?
Counselor_Realty Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
[Item 11: FRANCHISOR'S ASSISTANCE, ADVERTISING, COMPUTER SYSTEMS AND TRAINING]
You may develop advertising materials for your own use, at your own expense. Advertising materials and media (including print, audio, video, website and computer-transmitted media) must conform at all times to Counselor's brand standard and image. If Counselor determines, in its sole discretion, that any advertising materials or media do not conform to Counselor's brand standard or image, you will alter or remove any such advertising materials or media, as directed in writing by Counselor. You have the option to develop your own website as part of your overall promotion strategy. Your use of Counselor's trademarks in any advertising materials and media must conform at all times to the requirements set forth in the Franchise Agreement. Counselor does not currently require any advertising materials or media to be approved by Counselor prior to you using them, but reserves the right to review and approve any advertising materials or media (and to require you to alter or cease using all or any portion of such advertising materials or media it does not approve).
During the operation of your Business, Counselor will provide periodic advice on principal aspects of the Business, through various means. Franchise Agreement, Section 6.2.
You must participate in Counselor System advertising programs.
If your Office (including any Additional Officer or Extension Office) is located within the 11 county metropolitan area of the Twin Cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul, Minnesota (including the Counties of Scott, Wright, Isanti, Dakota, Anoka, Hennepin, Washington, Carver, Ramsey, Sherburne and Chisago, the "Twin Cities"), you must pay to Counselor an Advertising Fee equal to $60 per agent per month for each agent operating out of the Office, Additional Office or Extension Office located in such metropolitan area, as a contribution towards the general costs of marketing activities conducted by Counselor. "Counselor" offices owned and operated by Counselor contribute toward the general costs of marketing activities conducted by Counselor under a different formula, and are not required to pay the specific Advertising Fee described above.
| Obligation | Section in Franchise Agreement | Disclosure Document Item |
|---|---|---|
| o. Advertising | Sections 5.4 and 7.1 | Item 11 |
| Subject Matter |
|---|
| Affiliation: Broker and Associate |
| Office Policies |
| Advertising |
Source: Item 11 — FRANCHISOR'S ASSISTANCE, ADVERTISING, COMPUTER SYSTEMS AND TRAINING (FDD pages 17–21)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Counselor Realty's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, Item 11, titled "Franchisor's Assistance, Advertising, Computer Systems and Training," covers the advertising requirements for franchisees. This item details various aspects of advertising, including the franchisee's option to develop their own website, the franchisor's right to ensure that all advertising materials conform to Counselor Realty's brand standards, and the franchisee's required participation in Counselor System advertising programs.
Item 11 also discusses the advertising fees that franchisees must pay. If a Counselor Realty office is located within the 11-county metropolitan area of the Twin Cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul, Minnesota, the franchisee must pay an Advertising Fee of $60 per agent per month. For offices located outside the Twin Cities, franchisees must be members of the Regional Advertising Group and pay an Advertising Fee of $25 per agent per month to the Regional Advertising Fund.
Additionally, Item 11 references sections within the Franchise Agreement that pertain to advertising, specifically Sections 5.4 and 7.1. It also mentions that the Counselor Franchise Policy Guidelines contain information about advertising, with 3 pages devoted to the subject.