What is the purpose of Degree Wellness's advertising fund?
Degree_Wellness Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
in existence with Visa, Master Card, and any other credit and debit card issuers or sponsors, check verification services, and electronic fund transfer systems that we designate from time to time, in order that the Franchise may accept customers' credit and debit cards, checks, and other methods of payment. We may require you to obtain such services through us or our affiliates or designated third parties.
11. ADVERTISING.
11.1 By Degree Wellness. As stated in Paragraph 6.3a, due to the importance of promoting the public image of Degree Wellness Studio franchises, we will establish, maintain, and administer the Fund to support and pay for national, regional, or local marketing and promotional programs that we deem necessary, desirable, or appropriate, in our sole discretion, to promote the good will and image of all Degree Wellness Studio franchises. You will contribute to the Fund in the amount set forth in Section 6.3a. We agree that any Studios owned by us or our affiliates will be required to contribute to the Fund on at least the same basis as you do, subject only to limitation under applicable law.
Degree Wellness will be entitled to direct all advertising programs financed by the Fund, with sole discretion over (i) the creative concepts, materials, endorsements, and media used therein, and (ii) the geographic, market, and media placement and allocation of the programs. Degree Wellness shall have the right to determine, in its sole discretion, the composition of all geographic territories and market areas for the development and implementation of such programs. You agree that the Fund may be used to pay any and all costs of maintaining, administering, directing, and preparing national, regional or local advertising
materials, programs, and promotional activities, including, without limitation, (a) costs for preparing and conducting television, radio, magazine, billboard, newspaper, internet and other media programs and activities, (b) costs associated with conducting marketing research, (c) costs associated with website development and marketing, including without limitation, search engine optimization and social media, (d) administering regional and multi-regional advertising programs, including, without limitation, purchasing direct mail and other media advertising, (e) employing advertising, program and marketing agencies, and vendors providing marketing services, (f) development, implementation and maintenance of online asset management tools, (g) marketing and advertising training programs and materials, and (h) costs for providing promotional brochures and advertising templates and materials to Degree Wellness Studio franchises. As available, we will provide you with digital or hard copies of our marketing materials via our intranet. We may, at our discretion, charge you for hard or digital copies of these marketing materials. You agree that the amounts you contribute to the Fund may be used for placement of advertising in television, radio, newspaper or other media as solely determined by Degree Wellness.
The Fund will be accounted for separately from other funds of Degree Wellness, and will not be used to defray any of our general operating expenses, except for any reasonable salaries, administrative costs, and overhead we may incur in activities reasonably related to the administration of the Fund and its advertising programs (including without limitation conducting market research, preparing advertising and marketing materials, and collecting and accounting for contributions to the Fund). We may spend in any fiscal year an amount greater or less than the total contributions to the Fund in that year. We may cause the Fund to borrow from us or other lenders to cover deficits of the Fund, or to invest any surplus for future use by the Fund.
Source: Item 23 — Receipts (FDD pages 66–257)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Degree Wellness's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, the advertising fund, referred to as "the Fund," is established to promote the public image and goodwill of Degree Wellness Studio franchises. Degree Wellness will maintain and administer the Fund to support national, regional, or local marketing and promotional programs. These programs are intended to enhance the overall image of all Degree Wellness Studio franchises, as deemed necessary or appropriate by Degree Wellness in its sole discretion.
Franchisees are required to contribute to the Fund, with the specific amount detailed in Section 6.3a of the agreement. Degree Wellness has the authority to direct all advertising programs financed by the Fund, including decisions on creative concepts, materials, endorsements, media usage, and the geographic placement and allocation of programs. The Fund can cover various costs related to advertising and promotional activities, such as television, radio, magazine, billboard, newspaper, and internet programs, as well as marketing research, website development, and the employment of advertising agencies.
The advertising fund will be accounted for separately from Degree Wellness's other funds and will not be used for general operating expenses, except for reasonable salaries, administrative costs, and overhead related to the administration of the Fund and its advertising programs. Degree Wellness may spend more or less than the total contributions to the Fund in any given fiscal year and may borrow or invest funds to cover deficits or surpluses. While Degree Wellness aims to use the Fund to benefit all Degree Wellness Studio franchises, there is no guarantee that expenditures will be proportionate to contributions from franchises in specific geographic areas or that any particular franchise will directly benefit in proportion to its contribution.