Is Southern Steer required to conduct an annual Brand Conference and Periodic Conferences and Seminars?
Southern_Steer Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
chisee or its Operating Principal and its Designated Manager as further described in Section 6.1; and
- (j) Providing Franchisee with guidance, strategy and advice for Franchisee's Southern Steer Business at Franchisee's reasonable request during Franchisee's regular business hours via the telephone, e-mail or other means determined by Franchisor.
- 10.3. Continuing Services. Currently, the continuing services provided by Franchisor, its Affiliate or designee after Franchisee's Required Opening Date will include:
- (a) Providing on-site assistance as described in Section 10.4;
- (b) May, but is not required, to conduct an annual Brand Conference and Periodic Conferences and Seminars as further described in Section 6.7;
- (c) May, but is not required to provide additional training and guidance. Franchisee will be required to pay Franchisor's then current fee for such additional training and guidance as further described in Section 3.2(c) and 6.4;
- (d) Periodically, provide general marketing recommendations and marketing materials (if any) at Franchisee's cost. Franchisor will review and approve the local marketing for Franchisee's Southern Steer Business as further described in Section 12.4(a);
- (e) May, but is not required to, periodically visit and review Franchisee's Southern Steer Business as further described in **Section [14.4]
Source: Item 22 — ITEM. 22 CONTRACTS (FDD pages 61–168)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to the 2025 Southern Steer Franchise Disclosure Document, Southern Steer may, but is not required, to conduct an annual Brand Conference and Periodic Conferences and Seminars. However, Southern Steer will not require a franchisee to attend in person more than two mandatory Periodic Conferences and Seminars in any given Calendar Year.
If Southern Steer holds a Brand Conference, franchisees are required to pay the then-current Brand Conference Fee for themselves, their Operating Principal, or their Designated Manager to attend. Franchisees also bear the responsibility for covering all travel and living expenses incurred by their attendees at the Brand Conference. If a franchisee wishes to have additional attendees at the Brand Conference, they must pay the then-current fee for each additional attendee.
Southern Steer also uses the Brand Fund for Brand Conferences, Periodic Seminars, and Conferences. Franchisees contribute to the Brand Fund a continuing weekly Brand Fund Contribution equal to 1% of Weekly Gross Revenues generated by the Franchisee's Southern Steer Business during the preceding Week. The Brand Fund is intended to maximize general public recognition and patronage of the System and the products and services offered by the Southern Steer Businesses, for the benefit of all Southern Steer's licensees and franchisees.