Does Southern Steer require franchisees to obtain written approval before conducting any advertising, promotion, marketing, or sponsorship programs for their business?
Southern_Steer Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
ibed by the Franchisor, a written summary of the Members' contributions to the Local Advertising Cooperative and an accurate accounting of the Local Advertising Cooperative's expenditures for approved Production and Marketing.
- (g) Off Set. The Local Advertising Cooperative Fee paid by the Franchisee to the Local Advertising Cooperative will be applied to satisfy the Franchisee's Local Marketing requirement set forth in Section 12.2.
12.4. Other Requirements.
- (a) Approved Marketing and Advertising. The Franchisee will not conduct any advertising, promotion, marketing and/or sponsorship programs for its Southern Steer Business, without the written approval of the Franchisor. For purposes of this Section 12.4(a), the Franchisee's use of advertising, marketing and promotional materials provided to the Franchisee in the Brand Manual or otherwise furnished by the Franchisor to the Franchisee will be deemed to have been approved by the Franchisor. The Franchisee will not permit any party to advertise its Southern Steer Business, services or products on the premises of the Franchised Location without the Franchisor's authorization. Franchisee must submit all Franchisee marketing and advertising materials to Franchisor for its approval and may not use any marketing and advertising materials without Franchisor's prior written approval. Franchisor will approve or disapprove of Franchisee's marketing and advertising within 15 days of the date Franchisor receives it.
Source: Item 22 — ITEM. 22 CONTRACTS (FDD pages 61–168)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Southern Steer's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, franchisees must obtain written approval from Southern Steer before conducting any advertising, promotion, marketing, or sponsorship programs for their business. However, the use of advertising, marketing, and promotional materials provided in the Brand Manual or furnished by Southern Steer is considered pre-approved.
This requirement ensures that all marketing efforts align with the brand's standards and image. Franchisees must submit their marketing and advertising materials to Southern Steer for approval, and Southern Steer has 15 days to respond. If Southern Steer fails to respond within this timeframe, the materials are deemed disapproved.
If Southern Steer approves the franchisee's marketing and advertising materials, Southern Steer may use these materials and make them available to other franchisees, licensees, or affiliates. This clause allows Southern Steer to leverage successful marketing strategies across the franchise system, potentially benefiting all franchisees.
This approval process extends to the franchisee's online presence as well. Franchisees are prohibited from establishing a website, mobile application, blog, or any other social media presence to advertise or promote their Southern Steer business without prior written approval from Southern Steer.