What specific advertising mediums might Cream require a franchisee to use for their Cream shop?
Cream Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
You are solely responsible for conducting all local advertising for your Shop. However, you must satisfy our System Standards for all advertising for your Shop and/or using the Marks or the System. Our System Standards may require that you advertise and market your Shop in specific advertising mediums we determine, use forms of advertisement we approve, list your Shop with the online directories and subscriptions we periodically prescribe, and/or include links or references to
Digital Presences in the manner we prescribe. You must ensure that your advertising, promotion, and marketing is completely clear, factual, and not misleading and conform to both the highest standards of ethical advertising and marketing and the advertising and marketing policies that we prescribe from time to time. At least 14 days before you use them, you agree to send us for approval samples of all advertising, promotional, and marketing materials which we have not prepared or previously approved. If you do not receive written approval within 14 days after we receive the materials, they are deemed to be disapproved. Once we approve the materials, you are permitted to use them. However, we may withdraw our approval at any time and for any reason. You may not use any advertising, promotional, or marketing materials that we have not approved or have disapproved. We may also elect to control any or all Digital Presences associated with the Marks and/or your Shop, including that we may elect to control responses posted to comments of your customers on third-party platforms and directories.
Source: Item 23 — RECEIPTS (FDD pages 61–192)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Cream's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, franchisees are responsible for their Cream shop's local advertising. However, Cream maintains System Standards for all advertising. These System Standards may require franchisees to advertise and market their shops in specific advertising mediums that Cream determines. Cream also has the right to require franchisees to use specific forms of advertisement that they approve. Cream may also require franchisees to list their shop with online directories and subscriptions that they periodically prescribe, and/or include links or references to Digital Presences in the manner they prescribe.
Cream requires franchisees to submit samples of all advertising, promotional, and marketing materials that Cream has not prepared or previously approved at least 14 days before use. If the franchisee does not receive written approval within 14 days after Cream receives the materials, they are considered disapproved. Cream can withdraw approval at any time and for any reason. Franchisees cannot use any advertising, promotional, or marketing materials that Cream has not approved or has disapproved.
Cream may also elect to control any or all Digital Presences associated with the Marks and/or the franchisee's shop, including responses posted to customer comments on third-party platforms and directories. This gives Cream significant control over the franchisee's local advertising and marketing efforts, ensuring brand consistency but potentially limiting the franchisee's creative freedom.