What is the name of the national advertising fund for Marble Slab Creamery?
Marble_Slab_Creamery Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
We will conduct promotional/advertising activities, developed by us, an advertising agency and/or a public relations firm, to enhance our corporate name and image through a national advertising fund (the "Fund"). You must make a weekly contribution to the Fund in an amount equal to 2% of total net sales. This requirement is in addition to the 2% of total net sales which you must spend on local advertising under Section 10.1 of the Franchise Agreement. We reserve the right to increase the amount of your Fund contribution to up to 4% of your net sales. Except as described below, for each Restaurant owned by us or our affiliates, we, or our affiliates, will contribute the amount that would be required to be contributed to the Fund as if it were a franchised Restaurant.
During our Fiscal Year ended December 31, 2024, the following percentages of advertising expenditures were made in the areas described below: Media Placement: 43.7%, Production: 9.5%, Web Site: 10.5% and Other: 36.3%. Other includes: Franchisee Communications Platform, Guest Experience Programs, In Store Music, Franchisee Print Portal, Market Research & Product Testing, Marketing Partnership Funds, Overhead, Travel & Administrative Expenses, Social Media Management Software, PR Monitoring and Other Services. We have not spent any of the Marketing Fund contributions that we have received for marketing that was primarily a solicitation for the sale of franchisees.
Source: Item 11 — FRANCHISOR'S ASSISTANCE, ADVERTISING, COMPUTER SYSTEMS AND TRAINING (FDD pages 53–62)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Marble Slab Creamery's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, the national advertising fund is referred to as "the Fund". Franchisees are required to contribute to this fund weekly, with contributions set at 2% of total net sales. Marble Slab Creamery retains the right to increase this contribution up to 4% of net sales.
For each Marble Slab Creamery restaurant owned by the company or its affiliates, they will contribute to the Fund as if it were a franchised restaurant, matching the contribution requirements of franchisees. The funds are used for preparing and administering marketing activities for restaurants on a local, regional, or national level. These activities may include various forms of advertising campaigns, direct mail, marketing surveys, public relations, and more.
During the fiscal year ending December 31, 2024, Marble Slab Creamery allocated the advertising expenditures as follows: 43.7% for media placement, 9.5% for production, 10.5% for the website, and 36.3% for other expenses. These "other" expenses include franchisee communications platform, guest experience programs, in-store music, franchisee print portal, market research & product testing, marketing partnership funds, overhead, travel & administrative expenses, social media management software, PR monitoring and other services. Marble Slab Creamery may use up to 15% of the Fund for advertising or promotion that is principally a solicitation for the sale of franchises. However, they are not obligated to spend any money on advertising any particular restaurant or in any specific area or territory.