Does Engel & Volkers require franchisees to be responsible for their own local advertising?

According to Engel & Volkers' 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, franchisees are indeed responsible for their own local advertising. However, Engel & Volkers maintains significant control over the design and content of these advertisements to ensure brand consistency. Franchisees must adhere to the specifications outlined in the System Documentation, which covers various aspects such as buyer and seller services, advertisement design, signage, online and printed communications, and window displays. This requirement ensures that all local advertising aligns with the overall Engel & Volkers brand image and standards.

Engel & Volkers also requires franchisees to obtain prior written consent for any advertising or sales promotion campaign designs that deviate from those previously practiced or recommended by Engel & Volkers. This approval process is in place to maintain uniformity within the Engel & Volkers system and to prevent any advertising that might harm the brand's reputation. Furthermore, franchisees must have proper authorization or a license to use any text, copy, photography, images, sound, or video in their promotional materials. This includes websites, mobile applications, social media, and other marketing channels.

In addition to local advertising, Engel & Volkers franchisees must also participate in national advertising initiatives, specifically by placing at least one full-page advertisement per year in GG Magazine for their Approved Location. The cost of these advertisements is detailed in the current Price Lists, which are subject to change. For franchisees with multiple Approved Locations, the advertising requirements increase, with additional full-page advertisements required for each set of locations. This blend of required national advertising and franchisee-led local advertising ensures a comprehensive marketing strategy for Engel & Volkers.