If a Fat Shack franchisee creates their own advertising materials, what must they do?
Fat_Shack Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
All marketing and promotion of your FAT SHACK Restaurant must conform to our standards and specifications. You must submit to us or our approved vendor samples of all advertising and promotional materials that have not been prepared or previously approved by us or them. You must pay for the cost of any necessary modifications we may require to conform to our standards and specifications for any proposed materials.
Except as prohibited or limited by law or unless we exempt you from a particular promotion, you must, at your sole cost, fully participate in all promotional campaigns, prize contests, special offers, discount programs, including deal-of-the-day and crowdsourcing programs, and other programs, whether national, regional, or local in nature, which we prescribe. In addition, at your sole cost, you must honor any coupons, gift certificates, gift cards, discounts, or other authorized promotional offers that we prescribe for the franchise system, unless we agree otherwise. In our discretion, we may create and make available to the public a mobile device application for the FAT SHACK system, which may incorporate
Source: Item 8 — Restrictions on Sources of Products and Services (FDD pages 22–26)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Fat Shack's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, if a franchisee wants to create their own advertising and promotional materials, they must submit samples to Fat Shack or their approved vendor. The franchisee is responsible for covering the costs of any modifications required to meet Fat Shack's standards and specifications.
This means that while Fat Shack franchisees have some flexibility in creating their own advertising, they do not have complete autonomy. Fat Shack retains control over its brand image and marketing message. This is a fairly standard practice in franchising, as franchisors need to ensure brand consistency across all locations.
It is important for prospective Fat Shack franchisees to factor in these potential advertising costs and time delays when planning their marketing strategies. While franchisees are required to participate in promotional campaigns, prize contests, special offers, and discount programs, they must also purchase all advertising, promotional, and point-of purchase materials from either Fat Shack or their designated vendor.