Does Mr. Sandless require pre-approval of advertising materials?
Mr_Sandless Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
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ITEM 6 OTHER FEES
| Type of Fee | Amount | Due Date | Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|
| Royalty Fee – Mr. Sandless Business | 6% of Gross Sales or $600, whichever is greater | No Royalty Fee for the first 3 months after opening, transfers not included. Then monthly, not later than the 15th day of each month | Royalties are payable on your Gross Sales for the previous calendar month. If the 15th day of any month is not a business day, then payment is due on the next business day. See Note 1. |
| Advertising Fund | 1% of Gross Sales | Payable at the same time and in the same manner as the Royalty Fee | You must contribute to our Advertising Fund (described in Item 11) |
| Required Minimum Expenditure for Local Marketing and Advertising | Minimum $1,500 per month. | As incurred. | Payable to third parties. All advertising must be pre-approved by us. See footnote 2. |
| Additional Territory Fee | $5,000 per 100,000 population | As incurred upon signing an Amendment to add Territory | If you meet our qualifications, you have the option to purchase additional territory to a maximum of 4 territories under your Franchise Agreement. |
| Surveys | $140 | On demand | If we conduct a customer satisfaction survey for your Business and the results of the survey are below our minimum standards, we have the right to bill you for the cost of the survey. Any survey costs paid by you are contributed to the Advertising Fund |
| Transfer Fee | $5,000 per Owner | Upon transfer | The transfer fee includes all franchise units you own. |
| Successor Agreement Fee | $1,000 per Business | Upon signing the Successor Franchise Agreement | The Successor Agreement Fee is per franchise unit you hold. |
| Interest on Overdue Amounts | 18% per annum or the highest lawful interest rate for commercial transactions, whichever is less | As incurred | See Note 3. |
Source: Item 6 — OTHER FEES (FDD pages 10–13)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Mr. Sandless's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, franchisees are required to obtain pre-approval for advertising materials. Specifically, all local advertising utilized by the franchisee must be pre-approved by Mr. Sandless. Additionally, franchisees are prohibited from using social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn without first obtaining written approval from Mr. Sandless. Any use of social media must also be in strict accordance with Mr. Sandless's requirements.
This requirement means that a Mr. Sandless franchisee must submit all advertising materials to the franchisor for review and approval before they can be used. This includes, but is not limited to, print ads, online ads, and social media content. This process could potentially add time to the marketing process, as franchisees must wait for approval before launching campaigns. Failure to obtain approval for marketing materials can result in a fine of $500 per instance.
The pre-approval requirement allows Mr. Sandless to maintain brand consistency and ensure that all advertising aligns with the company's standards and messaging. It also helps Mr. Sandless ensure that franchisees are not making any misleading or inaccurate claims in their advertising. While this requirement may seem restrictive, it is a common practice in franchising to protect the brand and maintain quality control. Franchisees should factor in the time needed for approval when planning their marketing activities and ensure they are familiar with Mr. Sandless's advertising guidelines.
In addition to pre-approval, Mr. Sandless requires a minimum expenditure of $1,500 per month for local marketing and advertising, payable to third parties. Franchisees must also furnish Mr. Sandless with a quarterly report and documentation of local advertising expenditures. These measures ensure that franchisees are actively promoting their Mr. Sandless business within their local market, while also adhering to the franchisor's guidelines and standards.