Can the Mr. Sandless Advertising Fund be used for the creation and maintenance of a Website?
Mr_Sandless Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
We may use the Advertising Fund to satisfy any and all costs of maintaining, administering, directing, preparing, and producing advertising, including the cost of preparing and producing television, radio, magazine, social media, newspaper and electronic advertising campaigns, direct mail and outdoor billboard advertising; public relations activities conducting marketing research, employing advertising agencies to assist therein; developing, enhancing and maintaining the Website; and personnel and other departmental costs for advertising that we internally administer or prepare.
Nevertheless, you acknowledge that neither you nor any other System franchisees will benefit directly or on a pro rata basis from such expenditures.
While we do not anticipate that any part of the Advertising Fund contributions will be used for advertising which is principally a solicitation for franchisees, we reserve the right to use the Advertising Fund for public relations or recognition of the Mr.
Sandless brand, for the creation and maintenance of a Website, a portion of which can be used to explain the franchise offering and solicit potential franchisees, and to include a notation in any advertisement indicating "Franchises Available."
Source: Item 22 — CONTRACTS (FDD page 42)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Mr. Sandless's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, the Advertising Fund can be used for the creation and maintenance of a website. Specifically, Mr. Sandless may use the Advertising Fund to cover the costs of developing, enhancing, and maintaining the website. This website can be used to provide information about the Mr. Sandless system and its products and services. Mr. Sandless retains sole discretion and control over the website, acting as the webmaster either directly or through a third party.
Mr. Sandless also reserves the right to use the Advertising Fund for public relations or recognition of the Mr. Sandless brand, including the creation and maintenance of a website. A portion of this website can be used to explain the franchise offering and solicit potential franchisees, and to include a notation in any advertisement indicating "Franchises Available."
While franchisees contribute to the Advertising Fund, they may not directly benefit from its expenditures on a pro rata basis. This means that while the fund supports the overall Mr. Sandless system, individual franchisees may not see immediate or direct returns from specific advertising campaigns or website developments. Franchisees are generally not permitted to maintain their own individual websites related to the business without prior written approval from Mr. Sandless, and they must participate in any system-wide computer network or intranet implemented by Mr. Sandless.