Does Deck Medic have to approve a franchisee's local marketing programs?
Deck_Medic Franchise · 2024 FDDAnswer from 2024 FDD Document
may suggest pricing levels that we recommend.
Advertising
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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. In the first year of operation, we will help you develop a plan for advertising, promotions and public relations throughout your Operating Territory and you shall make expenditures in accordance with such plan. Beginning in the second year and continuing every year thereafter, you shall spend 5% of your annual Gross Sales based on the preceding year on the local marketing of your Deck Medic Business to customers located within your Operating Territory and in accordance with our standards and specifications. We will review your local marketing programs and notify you if we approve same. 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 in having them printed, distributed and/or 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. We will designate for your Operating Territory information about your Deck Medic Business on the www.mydeckmedic.com webpage or such other websites as we may designate for the System. (Franchise Agreement, Article 9.F.);
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- National Advertising Fund We may control and administer a national advertising fund (the "National Advertising Fund") (Franchise Agreement, Article 9.A.). As disclosed in Item 6 of this Disclosure Document, you must contribute a monthly sum not to exceed 2% of monthly Gross Sales to the National Advertising Fund.
Source: Item 11 — FRANCHISOR'S ASSISTANCE, ADVERTISING, COMPUTER SYSTEMS AND TRAINING (FDD pages 24–29)
What This Means (2024 FDD)
According to Deck Medic's 2024 Franchise Disclosure Document, franchisees must get approval from Deck Medic for all advertising, marketing materials, and mediums used to promote their franchise. Franchisees are only allowed to use marketing materials that Deck Medic designates and approves in writing. Deck Medic may provide approved marketing templates with pre-approved ads, ad copy, and digital media for franchisees to use at their own expense. If a franchisee wants to use materials not already approved, they can submit a written request, and Deck Medic will approve or disapprove it within 15 days.
Deck Medic also requires franchisees to engage in local marketing efforts and to commit a specific minimum amount of funds to these efforts. In the first year, Deck Medic will assist in developing a marketing plan. Starting in the second year, franchisees must spend 5% of the previous year's gross sales on local marketing, following Deck Medic's standards. Deck Medic will review these local marketing programs and notify franchisees of their approval.
Furthermore, all digital media and marketing must be approved by Deck Medic. Deck Medic also controls how franchisees use websites and digital media, requiring franchisees to assign all website and digital media accounts to them. This level of control over marketing ensures brand consistency and adherence to Deck Medic's standards, but it also means franchisees have limited autonomy in their marketing strategies and must factor in the time needed for approvals.