What is the definition of the 'Marketing Fund Contribution' for a Craters & Freighters franchise?
Craters_Freighters Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
We have established and will maintain and administer a national marketing fund ("Marketing Fund") for advertising and marketing programs. You must pay us a Marketing Fund contribution ("Marketing Fund Contribution") equal to one percent (1%) of monthly Adjusted Gross Sales. We have the right to increase the amount of your Marketing Fund Contribution up to two percent (2%) of monthly Adjusted Gross Sales upon 30 days written notice to you. You must pay the Marketing Fund Contribution to us at the same time that you
pay your monthly Royalty Fee. Company-owned or Affiliate-owned Craters & Freighters Franchised Businesses must contribute to the Marketing Fund at the same percentage rate as franchisees. The Marketing Fund will be administered by us and we may use a professional advertising agency or media buyer to assist us in doing so.
The Marketing Fund will be used exclusively for the purpose of promoting the System. We may expend Marketing Fund monies towards the creation, production, and/or placement of advertising in local, regional, or national media including, but not limited to, broadcast, print, electronic, direct mail, radio, television, or other media), developing promotional materials, and undertaking public relations activities on behalf of the entire System or on behalf of a particular portion of the System. The Marketing Fund may also be used to meet any and all costs of maintaining, administering, directing, and preparing marketing, advertising, and promotional efforts and programs including, but not limited to: direct mail advertising; local, regional, and national promotions; call centers; market research; public relations activities; developing and maintaining Franchisor's Website and franchisee geosites (including your Geosite); employing marketing, advertising, and public relations agencies (including the payment of commissions); purchasing promotional items; attending trade shows; providing other marketing materials and services to franchised businesses operating under the System; and other marketing, advertising, and promotional activities. These costs may include the proportionate salary share of employees of ours or any Affiliate of ours who devote time and render services for marketing, advertising, or promotion, or the administration of the Marketing Fund; such costs may include administrative costs, salaries, and overhead expenses. No part of the Marketing Fund will be used by us to defray any of our general operating expenses, other than those reasonably allocable to the marketing, advertising, or promotional activities described here or other activities reasonably related to the administration or direction of the Marketing Fund. We, any Affiliate of ours, and our authorized representatives may be reimbursed from the Marketing Fund for administrative costs, independent audits, reasonable accounting, bookkeeping, reporting and legal expenses, taxes and all other reasonable direct or indirect expenses that we, any Affiliate of ours, and our authorized representatives may incur relating to programs funded by the Marketing Fund.
The Marketing Fund is intended to maximize the general brand recognition of the System, and we are not obligated to expend Marketing Fund monies on your behalf or benefit or to expend Marketing Fund monies equivalent or proportionate to your contributions on your behalf or benefit. We do not guarantee that advertising expenditures from the Marketing Fund will benefit you or any other franchisee directly, on a pro rata basis, or at all. We do not derive revenue or any other material consideration as a result of your contributions to the Marketing Fund. We are not required to spend an amount from the Marketing Fund on local marketing or advertising in your Territory or the territory of any franchisee within our System. We do not spend any of funds collected by the Marketing Fund on directly soliciting new franchisees.
Any unused funds in any calendar year will be applied to the following year's funds, and we reserve the right to contribute or loan additional funds to the Marketing Fund on any terms we deem reasonable. Since the Marketing Fund is not audited, audited financial statements are not available to franchisees. Upon request, we will make available to you an annual accounting for the Marketing Fund that shows how the Marketing Fund proceeds have been spent for the previous year.
During our last fiscal year ending December 31, 2024, expenditures from the Marketing Fund were as follows: 2.6% on production, 81.5% on media placement, 3.5% on administrative expenses, and 12.4% on other expenditures relating to network sales and support, network software and hosting expenses, and network telephone supporting services.
We are not required to spend an amount on advertising in the territory where you are or will be located. We do not have any local or regional advertising cooperatives.
Source: Item 11 — FRANCHISOR'S ASSISTANCE, ADVERTISING, COMPUTER SYSTEMS, AND TRAINING (FDD pages 22–29)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to the 2025 Craters & Freighters FDD, the Marketing Fund Contribution is a fee that franchisees must pay to support the brand's advertising and marketing programs. This contribution is equal to one percent (1%) of monthly Adjusted Gross Sales. However, Craters & Freighters retains the right to increase this contribution up to a maximum of two percent (2%) of monthly Adjusted Gross Sales, provided they give the franchisee 30 days' written notice. Franchisees are required to pay this Marketing Fund Contribution at the same time they pay their monthly Royalty Fee. Company-owned or Affiliate-owned Craters & Freighters Franchised Businesses must contribute to the Marketing Fund at the same percentage rate as franchisees.
The Marketing Fund is intended to maximize general brand recognition for Craters & Freighters. The funds are used exclusively for promoting the Craters & Freighters system, which may include advertising in various media (local, regional, or national), developing promotional materials, and undertaking public relations activities. These activities aim to benefit the entire system or specific parts of it. The franchisor may also use the fund to cover the costs of maintaining, administering, and directing marketing and advertising efforts, including website maintenance, market research, and employing marketing agencies.
While franchisees contribute to the Marketing Fund, Craters & Freighters is not obligated to spend the funds in a way that directly benefits any specific franchisee or in proportion to their contributions. The FDD states that Craters & Freighters does not guarantee that advertising expenditures from the Marketing Fund will benefit franchisees directly or on a pro rata basis. Any unused funds from the Marketing Fund in a calendar year will be rolled over to the following year. Craters & Freighters also reserves the right to contribute or loan additional funds to the Marketing Fund under terms they deem reasonable.
Prospective franchisees should note that the Marketing Fund is not audited. However, Craters & Freighters will provide an annual accounting of the Marketing Fund upon request, showing how the proceeds were spent in the previous year. During the fiscal year ending December 31, 2024, the expenditures from the Marketing Fund were allocated as follows: 2.6% on production, 81.5% on media placement, 3.5% on administrative expenses, and 12.4% on other expenditures related to network sales and support, software and hosting expenses, and telephone supporting services.