What is Pump It Up's discretion regarding the use of Brand Fund monies?
Pump_It_Up Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
ty. Pump It Up Businesses operated by us and our affiliates also will contribute to the Brand Fund on the same basis as comparable franchisees. From time to time, we or our vendors may deposit into the Brand Fund any rebates or similar allowances paid to us by our vendors although we have no obligation to do so.
(2) We have sole discretion to use the Brand Fund, and the monies in the Brand Fund, for any purpose that we believe will enhance and protect the System and Marks and/or that we believe will improve and increase public recognition and perception of the System and Marks. We will direct (or hire a third party to direct) all programs that the Brand Fund finances, and we will have sole control over the creative concepts, materials, and endorsements used and their geographic, market, and media placement, allocation and coverage (which may be national, regional or local). You may be required to participate in advertising, marketing, social media, promotions, research and public relations programs and national cause marketing partner program events instituted by us or the Brand Fund. Among the programs, concepts, and expenditures for which we may utilize the Brand Fund monies are: (a) creative development and production of print ads, electronic media, commercials, radio spots, point of purchase materials, direct mail pieces, door hangers, and other advertising and promotional materials; (b) creative development, preparation, production and placement of video, audio, and written materials and electronic media; (c) media placement and buying, including all associated expenses and fees; (d) administering regional and multi-regional marketing and advertising programs; (e) market research and customer satisfaction surveys, including the use of secret shoppers; (f) the creative development of, and actual production associated with, premium items, giveaways, promotions, contests, public relation events, and charitable or nonprofit events; (g) creative development of new program offerings for Pump It Up Businesses; (h) creative development of signage, posters, and individual Pump It Up Business décor items including wall graphics; (i) recognition and awards events and programs; (j) system recognition events, including periodic national and regional conventions and meetings; (k) website, extranet and/or intranet development and maintenance; (l) development, implementation, and maintenance of an electronic commerce Website and reservation system and/or related strategies; (m) retention and payment of advertising and promotional agencies and other outside advisors including retainer and management fees; (n) social media platform development and management; (o) public relations and community involvement activities and programs; (p) expenses of the Franchise Advisory Council; (q) search engine optimization and other similar online and/or social media engagement tools; and (r) any other purposes deemed beneficial to the Pump It Up System by us.
(3) We will account for the Brand Fund separately from our other funds. We are not required to segregate any Brand Fund monies from our other monies. We will not use the Brand Fund for any of our general operating expenses. We and our affiliates may be reimbursed by the Brand Fund for administrative expenses directly related to the Brand Fund's marketing programs, including without limitation, conducting market research, preparing advertising and marketing materials, and collecting and accounting for contributions to the Brand Fund. We may use the Brand Fund to pay the administrative costs of the Brand Fund including managing the advertising, marketing, and promotional programs and payment of outside vendors utilized by the Brand Fund. We may use the Brand Fund to pay the reasonable salaries and benefits of personnel (including our personnel and our affiliates' personnel) who manage and administer the Brand Fund. We may use the Brand Fund to pay for other administrative costs, travel expenses of personnel while they are on Brand Fund business, meeting costs, overhead relating to Brand Fund business, and other expenses that we incur in activities reasonably related to administering or directing the Brand Fund and its programs.
(4) The Brand Fund is not our asset.
Source: Item 23 — RECEIPTS (FDD pages 60–225)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Pump It Up's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, Pump It Up has broad discretion over how the Brand Fund is used. Pump It Up has sole discretion to use the Brand Fund monies for any purpose that it believes will enhance and protect the Pump It Up system and marks, or improve public recognition. This includes directing all programs financed by the Brand Fund and controlling the creative concepts, materials, and their placement.
Pump It Up may use the Brand Fund to create advertising and promotional materials, but does not guarantee that expenditures will be proportionate to contributions from Pump It Up businesses in any specific geographic area, or that any particular franchisee will directly benefit in proportion to their contribution. The Brand Fund is intended to maximize recognition of the Pump It Up system.
Pump It Up can use the Brand Fund to cover administrative costs, such as market research, preparing advertising materials, managing programs, and paying outside vendors. They may also use the fund to pay salaries and benefits of personnel managing the Brand Fund, as well as cover travel expenses and overhead related to Brand Fund activities. While the Brand Fund is not considered an asset of Pump It Up, contributions are held for the benefit of the system, though Pump It Up does not owe any fiduciary obligation to franchisees for administering the fund.
Pump It Up can spend more or less than the total contributions in a given year, borrow funds to cover deficits, or invest any surplus for future use. Interest earned on Brand Fund contributions will be used to pay for administrative costs. Pump It Up also has the right to defer or reduce contributions, suspend Brand Fund operations, or terminate the Brand Fund altogether. If terminated, the monies will be spent on advertising or distributed to franchisees and Pump It Up and its affiliates in proportion to their contributions over the prior 12 months.