Every small business knows that you participate in the community, then the community will shop in your store. In a franchise business, the franchisor should also encourage, if not require a franchise outlet to do community service and stay involved with the community that will support them.

It is for this reason that in my company, we required as per the franchise agreement, as well as the confidential operations manual, that each franchisee perform fund-raising events for local charities. It may seem all odd that a franchise or would have required as of their franchises, but I don't see it that way. I wanted to be known up front in prior to the commencement of the franchise operation that he franchisee is required and must help the community. Below is the clause I've put into each and every franchise agreement;

3.16.5 Community Events

Franchisee must perform twelve (12) car wash fundraisers, one for each month, for their local community(s) each year.

During rainy months in your Marketing Area and with our prior written approval Franchisee may substitute one community

service project per quarter in lieu of three car wash fundraisers as outlined in the Confidential Operations Manual. All community events are to be performed no further than fifteen (15) miles from any border of their Marketing Area or within their Marketing Area.

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As your franchising company considered requiring community service and community involvement? If not, perhaps you will contact your franchising attorney and ask them if this makes sense for your franchising company. I hope you will consider this in 2006.

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