Must a Devon Creek franchisee obtain approval for advertising or marketing materials?
Devon_Creek Franchise · 2024 FDDAnswer from 2024 FDD Document
You may develop advertising materials for your own use at your own cost, and you may use marketing materials that we may offer to you from time to time. You may not use any advertising or marketing materials, including press releases, unless they have been approved in advance in writing by us, which approval may be withheld in our discretion. We will respond to your request for approval within fifteen (15) business days; however, if we do not respond within fifteen (15) business days, the proposed advertising or marketing material is deemed "disapproved".
We will set up and monitor online advertising on your behalf as part of our Brand Fund service. You must list the Franchised Business in local business directories, including, but not limited to, listings on Internet search engines. If feasible, you may do cooperative advertising with other Devon Creek franchisees in your area, with our prior written approval. You may not maintain any business profile on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, YouTube, or any other social media and/or networking site without our prior written approval.
Source: Item 11 — FRANCHISOR'S ASSISTANCE, ADVERTISING, COMPUTER SYSTEMS AND TRAINING (FDD pages 24–32)
What This Means (2024 FDD)
According to Devon Creek's 2024 Franchise Disclosure Document, franchisees must obtain written approval from Devon Creek for all advertising and marketing materials before use. This includes press releases. Devon Creek has 15 business days to respond to the franchisee's request for approval. If Devon Creek does not respond within the 15 business days, the advertising or marketing material is considered disapproved.
Devon Creek also sets up and monitors online advertising on behalf of the franchisee as part of their Brand Fund service. Franchisees must list their business in local business directories, including internet search engines. Franchisees must also obtain prior written approval from Devon Creek to do cooperative advertising with other Devon Creek franchisees in their area.
Furthermore, franchisees are prohibited from maintaining any business profile on social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and YouTube without prior written approval from Devon Creek. This level of control over advertising and marketing ensures brand consistency but may limit a franchisee's ability to quickly respond to local market conditions or express their individual business's personality.