Can the Craters & Freighters Marketing Fund be used for attending trade shows?
Craters_Freighters Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
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.
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 Franchise Disclosure Document, the Marketing Fund can be used for attending trade shows. Craters & Freighters states that the Marketing Fund is to be used exclusively to promote the Craters & Freighters system.
Specifically, Craters & Freighters may use the Marketing Fund monies toward advertising in various media, developing promotional materials, and undertaking public relations activities. The fund can also cover the costs of maintaining marketing efforts and programs, including direct mail advertising, promotions, call centers, market research, public relations, website maintenance, employing agencies, purchasing promotional items, and attending trade shows.
These costs may also include a share of employee salaries for those involved in marketing, advertising, or promotion, as well as administrative costs and overhead. Craters & Freighters, its affiliates, and representatives may be reimbursed from the Marketing Fund for administrative costs, audits, accounting, legal expenses, taxes, and other expenses related to programs funded by the Marketing Fund. Franchisees should note that the fund is intended to maximize brand recognition, and Craters & Freighters is not obligated to spend money in proportion to a franchisee's contributions or guarantee direct benefits to any specific franchisee.