DTI Advisory on Franchising

Bureau Order No. 10-24

Series of 2010

Subject: Advisory on Due Diligence to be Undertaken by a Prospective Franchisee

In order to protect the interest and welfare of a prospective franchisee, the DTI-Bureau of Trade
Regulation and Consumer Protection (BTRCP) has issued the following advisory:

1. Scope and Coverage

This advisory is addressed to persons engaged or interested in the franchise business.

2. Definition of Terms

2.1. Franchise Agreement is a written contract or agreement between two or more parties by which a
Franchisor grants the Franchisee right to engage in the business of offering, selling, or distributing
goods or services under a marketing plan/system/concept, for a certain consideration. Unless
otherwise provided, said right includes the use of a trademark, service mark, trade name/business
name, know-how, logo-type advertising, or other commercial symbols associated with a particular
business.

2.2. Franchisor is a person, individual or a corporation, duly registered with the Department of Trade
and Industry (DTI) or the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC)

2.3 Franchisee is a person, individual or a corporation, duly registered with the Department of Trade
and Industry (DTI) or the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC)

2.4 Franchise Disclosure Information refers to a set of information and documents that needs to be
disclosed by the Franchisor to the Franchisee and/or prospective Franchisee

3 Due Diligence to be undertaken by a prospective Franchisee

Before a person decides to engage in or acquires a franchise business, due diligence should be
done by the prospective franchisee.

3.1 Secure or ask Disclosure Information for the Franchisor as follows:

3.1.1 Business address, email address, internet home page/website, fax numbers and other contact
details

3.1.2 Copy of DTI or SEC Registration

3.1.3 Parent companies and affiliates, if any, and their respective roles in the Franchise, and
Franchisors declaration if any affiliate is a supplier and what they will supply.
3.1.4 Names of the Board of Directors and officers with a brief description of their qualifications and
background, ownership of interests and references

3.1.5 The contact number and business location of existing Franchisees

3.1.6 Executed promotional / marketing materials

3.1.7 Description of the business concept, which includes brand image, brand personality, unique
selling proposition, target market, mission and vision, among others

3.1.8 Basic Information on training, commercial and /or technical assistance

3.1.9 Certificate that the Franchisor is a member in good standing of any franchisor association and
that the franchisor has no pending administrative, civil or criminal case.

3.1.10 Declaration of the Initial Fee, amount that will be collected and services covering these fees.

3.1.11 Training that will be provided, number of persons, how long and training modules

3.1.12 Number of years company has operated and number of years it has franchised with
corresponding numbers of company owned branches and franchised outlets.

3.1.13 Draft Franchise Agreement

3.1.14 Full disclosure of the Financial requirements of the franchise business

3.1.15 A provision that requires the franchise applicant to seek adequate legal and financial counsel
before signing the Franchise Agreement

3.1.16 Mechanism for dispute resolution

3.2 Call or visit or consult any of the following:

3.2.1 Franchisor Association (FIFA Filipino International Franchise Association 995-0734)

3.2.2 Nearest DTI Regional or Provincial Offices

3.2.3 Securities and Exchange Commission

3.2.4 DTI Direct (Telephone Number 751-3330)

3.2.5 Certified Franchise Executive

3.2.6 Franchise Consultant

4. Franchisor Association or organization

To establish a databank of Franchisor association or organization nationwide, Franchisor association
or organization should submit to DTI-Bureau of Trade Regulation and consumer Protection (BTRCP)
the following documents:

4.1 A certified true copy of its Articles of Incorporation and By-laws

4.2 A current certified true copy of Certificate of Good Standing from the SEC

4.3 Updated list of trustees, officers and members of the organization including their addresses and

4.4 Other pertinent document such as Code of Ethics and Standards

5. Self-Policing of members

This Advisory aims to promote and encourage the Franchise industry to self-police its own ranks by
setting a Code of Ethics and Standards for grievance or dispute resolution mechanism to redress
complaints against its members, including issues arising from transactions with their franchisees,
prospective or otherwise.

6. Publication

This advisory shall be published in newspapers of general circulation and shall be part of the DTI
Information, Educational and Communication Program

Issued this 17th day of November 2010 in Makati City

Victorio Mario A. Dimagiba

Director