Can Itan recommend that a franchisee spend more than $5,000 on grand opening marketing?

According to Itan's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, Itan will collaborate with franchisees to develop a grand opening marketing plan for their salon. Franchisees are required to spend at least $5,000 on grand opening marketing and advertising. Based on the franchisee's grand opening marketing plan and Itan's assessment of local market conditions, Itan may recommend, but not require, that the franchisee spend more than the $5,000 minimum.

This means that while Itan mandates a minimum spend of $5,000 for grand opening marketing, they also have the discretion to suggest a higher amount based on their evaluation of the franchisee's marketing plan and the specific market conditions. This recommendation is not binding, giving the franchisee the final say on their marketing budget.

For a prospective Itan franchisee, this indicates that the initial investment for grand opening marketing could potentially exceed the stated minimum of $5,000, depending on Itan's recommendation and the franchisee's own marketing strategy. It is important for franchisees to factor in this potential variability when budgeting for their initial investment and to discuss marketing strategies and budget expectations with Itan during the planning phase.