What is Dollar Rent A Car's policy on using advertising material created by franchisees?
Dollar_Rent_A_Car Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
Under certain conditions, you may use your own advertising material. All advertising and promotion you use must be in the media (such as placement channel) and of the type and format that we approve. You must conduct the activities in a dignified manner, and they must conform to our standards. You must not use any advertising or promotional materials until you receive our written approval. You must submit samples of all advertising and promotional plans and materials (including electronic media and press releases) to us for our prior approval (including as to prices you charge, to the extent allowed by applicable law), if we have not prepared or previously approved the materials. If you do not receive written notice of disapproval within 30 days of mailing, you may assume that we have approved them.
Source: Item 11 — FRANCHISOR'S ASSISTANCE, ADVERTISING, COMPUTER SYSTEMS, AND TRAINING (FDD pages 61–69)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Dollar Rent A Car's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, franchisees can use their own advertising material under certain conditions. All advertising and promotion must be in a media type and format approved by Dollar Rent A Car and must be conducted in a dignified manner, conforming to their standards. Franchisees must receive written approval before using any advertising or promotional materials.
To get approval, franchisees must submit samples of all advertising and promotional plans and materials, including electronic media and press releases, to Dollar Rent A Car for prior approval. This includes approval of prices charged, to the extent allowed by applicable law, if Dollar Rent A Car has not prepared or previously approved the materials. If a franchisee does not receive written notice of disapproval within 30 days of mailing the materials, it is assumed that Dollar Rent A Car has approved them.
This policy ensures that all advertising associated with Dollar Rent A Car maintains a consistent brand image and meets the company's standards. It also allows franchisees some flexibility in creating their own advertising, provided they adhere to the franchisor's guidelines and obtain the necessary approvals. This is a fairly typical arrangement in franchising, where franchisors balance brand control with franchisee autonomy in local marketing efforts.