What happens to the ownership of advertising plans and materials submitted to Hydrodog for review?
Hydrodog Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
- (b) the Cooperative must be organized for the exclusive purpose of administering marketing programs; developing, subject to our approval, standardized promotional materials for the members' use in Local Advertising within the Cooperative's area;
Source: Item 23 — RECEIPTS (FDD pages 43–166)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Hydrodog's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, if a franchisee participates in a regional advertising cooperative, the cooperative may develop standardized promotional materials for local advertising, but these plans and materials must be submitted to Hydrodog for approval. The FDD does not explicitly state that Hydrodog takes ownership of these materials. However, Hydrodog retains significant control over the content and use of advertising and marketing materials.
Hydrodog maintains control over the advertising and marketing programs financed by the Marketing Fund, including creative concepts, materials, endorsements, and the geographic, market, media placement and allocation. Hydrodog can furnish samples of advertising, marketing, and promotional formats and materials, and franchisees may get multiple copies at Hydrodog's direct cost of production, plus shipping, handling, and storage.
Hydrodog also requires that franchisees comply with system standards for social media use and reserves the right to execute collective or national campaigns through local social media accounts. Hydrodog retains the exclusive right to respond to reviews of Hydrodog Businesses posted on platforms like Yelp and TripAdvisor. Given this level of oversight, a franchisee should clarify with Hydrodog the ownership and usage rights of any advertising materials they develop and submit for approval, especially if they intend to use those materials independently of the cooperative or franchise system.