Does the definition of 'Catering Services' for Dog Haus include marketing practices?
Dog_Haus Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
- 7.38 Catering Services.
Franchisee shall follow Franchisor's Catering Services policies and procedures in the Manuals, which may require Franchisee to provide Catering Services or may restrict the areas in which Franchisee may offer Catering Services.
Franchisee acknowledges that Franchisor's Catering policies and procedures may allow other Dog Haus Restaurants to provide Catering Services in Franchisee's Protected Area and may allow Franchisee to provide Catering Services outside of Franchisee's Protected Area.
Franchisor may require Franchisee to discontinue Catering Services.
Source: Item 22 — CONTRACTS (FDD page 87)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to the 2025 Dog Haus Franchise Disclosure Document, the FDD does not explicitly define 'Catering Services' to include marketing practices. However, franchisees are required to adhere to Dog Haus's catering services policies and procedures as outlined in the manuals. These policies may dictate how catering services are offered and in which areas they can be provided.
The FDD indicates that other Dog Haus restaurants may be allowed to offer catering services within a franchisee's protected area, as well as outside of it. Dog Haus also retains the right to require a franchisee to discontinue catering services.
While the FDD does not directly link catering services to marketing, it does mention a 'Marketing, Creative & Technology Fund' used for marketing and promotional activities, including employing marketing agencies and supporting public relations. Franchisees pay a weekly fee equal to 2% of gross sales (which can be adjusted up to 3.5%) to contribute to this fund. It is important to note that the franchisor has sole discretion over all marketing and public relations programs and activities financed by this fund. Therefore, while catering services themselves aren't explicitly defined by marketing practices, franchisees should clarify with Dog Haus how the brand's marketing efforts support and integrate with their catering services.