Does Fitstop require franchisees to get approval for all advertising and promotion materials?
Fitstop Franchise · 2024 FDDAnswer from 2024 FDD Document
All advertising and promotion materials that you use in connection with your Franchised Business must be approved by us and conform to the standards and requirements that we specify. We may make available to you from time to time, at your expense, certain promotional materials, including newspaper mats, coupons, merchandising materials, point-of-purchase materials, special promotions, and similar advertising and promotional materials. You must also participate in certain promotions and advertising programs that we establish as an integral part of our System, provided these activities do not contravene regulations and laws of appropriate governmental authorities.
If you wish to use any advertising or promotional materials other than those that we have previously approved or designated within the preceding 12 months, then you must submit the materials you wish to use to us for our prior written approval at least ten (10) days prior to publication. We will use commercially reasonable efforts to notify you of our approval or disapproval of your proposed materials within 30 days of the date we receive the materials from you. If you do not receive our written approval during that time period, however, the proposed materials are deemed disapproved, and you may not use such materials. Once approved, you may use the proposed materials unless we: (i) prescribe a different time period for use; or (ii) require you to discontinue using the previously approved materials in writing. We may require you to discontinue the use of any advertising or marketing material, including materials we previously approved, at any time.
Source: Item 11 — FRANCHISOR'S ASSISTANCE, ADVERTISING, COMPUTER SYSTEMS, AND TRAINING (FDD pages 24–35)
What This Means (2024 FDD)
According to Fitstop's 2024 Franchise Disclosure Document, franchisees must get approval for all advertising and promotional materials used in connection with their franchised business. These materials must conform to Fitstop's standards and requirements. Fitstop may provide promotional materials at the franchisee's expense, such as newspaper mats, coupons, and point-of-purchase materials. Franchisees must also participate in advertising programs that Fitstop establishes, as long as these programs comply with governmental regulations.
If a Fitstop franchisee wants to use advertising or promotional materials that Fitstop hasn't previously approved or designated within the last 12 months, they must submit these materials for written approval at least ten days before publication. Fitstop will then try to notify the franchisee of their decision within 30 days. If the franchisee doesn't receive written approval within that time, the materials are considered disapproved and cannot be used.
Even if Fitstop initially approves advertising materials, they can later require the franchisee to stop using them. This gives Fitstop significant control over the brand's image and marketing strategies at the local level. This requirement ensures brand consistency across all Fitstop locations, but it also means franchisees have limited autonomy in their local marketing efforts and must adhere to Fitstop's guidelines.