How far in advance must Hydrodog franchisees submit advertising and promotional materials for approval?
Hydrodog Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
All advertising and promotion by you and by any cooperative must be in the type of media and format that we approve, must be conducted in a dignified manner, and must conform to our standards and requirements. You or the cooperative must submit written samples of all proposed advertising and promotional plans and materials for our approval at least 30 days before their intended use, unless the plans and materials were prepared by us or have been approved by us within the last 12 months. (Franchise Agreement, Section 12.5)
Source: Item 11 — FRANCHISOR'S ASSISTANCE, ADVERTISING, COMPUTER SYSTEMS AND TRAINING (FDD pages 22–30)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Hydrodog's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, franchisees must submit all proposed advertising and promotional plans and materials for approval at least 30 days before their intended use. This requirement applies to both individual franchisee advertising and any advertising done through a regional advertising cooperative. However, there is an exception: if the plans and materials were prepared by Hydrodog or have been approved by Hydrodog within the last 12 months, franchisees do not need to resubmit them for approval.
This 30-day review period allows Hydrodog to ensure that all advertising and promotional activities align with their brand standards and comply with any applicable regulations. It also gives Hydrodog the opportunity to provide feedback and suggest changes to the materials before they are released to the public. This is a fairly standard practice in franchising, as franchisors want to maintain consistency and protect their brand image.
For a prospective Hydrodog franchisee, this means that any local advertising or promotional ideas need to be well in advance of planned execution. Failing to submit materials in a timely manner could delay marketing efforts. Franchisees should factor this 30-day lead time into their marketing planning process to avoid any disruptions. Also, franchisees should maintain records of previously approved materials to avoid resubmission and streamline the approval process.