Frequently Asked Questions

This page is the short version of the entire Franchise Handbook. Each answer links to the full article on the topic.

Starting a franchise

What is a Ghostbusters fan franchise?

An organized, regional group of fans who build screen-accurate costumes and props, appear together at public events, and raise money for charity. They are independent volunteer groups — not licensed by Sony, not affiliated with Ghost Corps, and not official chapters of anything. See What is a fan franchise?.

There isn't one in my area. Can I start one?

Yes — if no active franchise covers your area. First, check the directory. If your area is marked as a placeholder and you meet the eligibility rules (live within the territory, not already a founder elsewhere), you can take over the placeholder instantly and be promoted to founder. If there's no placeholder, apply at /fans/franchises/new. See Starting a franchise.

Can I run a franchise by myself?

Technically yes, practically no. The Starting a franchise guide recommends finding at least one co-founder before your first public event. Franchises run by a single person are fragile and burn their founders out.

How should I name my franchise?

Use a geography word plus "Ghostbusters" — "Austin Ghostbusters", "Pacific Northwest Ghostbusters". Avoid "official", "licensed", or "authorized" language. Avoid trademark-adjacent wordplay. See Picking a name and territory.

Can I use the official no-ghost logo?

No. That symbol is a registered trademark of the Ghostbusters property holders and is not licensed to fan groups. Design your own logo that evokes the aesthetic without copying the registered mark. See Designing your logo and GhostCorps, Sony, and trademarks.

Legal questions

Do I need to be a 501(c)(3) non-profit?

No. Most fan franchises are not formal non-profits. The simplest and most common model is to have donors give directly to your chosen charity — no bank account, no paperwork on your side. See 501(c)(3) non-profit basics.

Do I need insurance?

You should. Most public venues that book fan franchises expect a certificate of insurance, and general liability coverage is affordable for small groups. See Insurance basics.

Can I sell merchandise at events?

Not to the public, and not with Ghostbusters trademarks on it. Franchise-branded patches and shirts sold at cost to members for event identification are generally accepted; selling merchandise to the public using the Ghostbusters name, the no-ghost mark, or Ecto-1 imagery is the fastest way to attract a cease-and-desist. See GhostCorps, Sony, and trademarks.

Can I charge for photo ops or appearances?

No. Fan-franchise activities are volunteer, and charging for appearances (even with an Ecto-1) moves you into commercial use of Sony-owned trademarks and trade dress. Appearances are free; donations flow to the charity.

What happens if Sony or Ghost Corps contacts me?

Respond promptly, be cooperative, and fix whatever they ask you to fix. Most contacts are about a specific item of merchandise or a specific social post, and are resolved in one email exchange. Consult an attorney if the request goes beyond a simple take-down. See the full detail in GhostCorps, Sony, and trademarks.

Charity

How do I pick a charity?

Look for a children- or family-focused mission, political neutrality, clear financials (check their 990), and a responsive local contact. Children's hospitals, food banks, literacy programs, and pediatric cancer charities are common fits. See Selecting a charity.

How should charity money flow?

The simplest model: donors give directly to the charity via a QR code or URL at your events. Nothing touches your franchise. Donors get their tax deduction directly from the charity. No bookkeeping burden on you.

Can we switch charities?

Yes — just handle it professionally. Finish in-flight commitments, announce the change cleanly, and don't publicly criticize the old charity.

Members

Do we have to run background checks?

Yes. Any volunteer group that interacts with the public — especially children — should run criminal background checks on every new member. See Screening new members.

What offenses disqualify a member?

At minimum: any offense against a minor, any sexual offense, a history on any sex-offender registry, and usually recent domestic-violence or stalking convictions. Other offenses warrant case-by-case review.

Can minors be members of the franchise?

Some franchises allow minor members; many don't. If you do, you need explicit parental consent, a stricter communication policy (all contact through parents), and no one-on-one interactions with adult members. See Safeguarding minors.

How do we screen a member we've already brought on?

Run a retroactive background check with their consent. If they won't consent, that is itself a concern. See Screening new members for the full process and re-check cadence.

Events

What's the minimum staffing for a public event?

Two vetted adult members, always. This is the non-negotiable floor from the safeguarding minors policy.

What should I bring to every event?

Banner, table cover, charity donation sign with QR code, hand sanitizer, first-aid kit, portable battery, tape, sign-in sheet for members, name tags. See Running public events.

A birthday-party parent wants us at their kid's party. Should we?

Almost always no. Private parties for children you don't know aren't a good fit for fan-franchise events. Direct them to public events where you'll be appearing.

What if a venue asks for insurance and we don't have any?

Decline the event and go get insurance before the next one. Don't attend an uninsured event at a venue that required coverage. See Insurance basics.

Social media and press

Can we use studio promotional photos?

No. Use photos of your own members. Studio stills are copyrighted and implying they represent you is a bigger problem than most people realize. See Social media and press.

Ghost Corps tagged us. Now what?

Thank them publicly, don't claim endorsement, and don't monetize the bump. Treat it like any other news boost — pleasant and not the point.

Can we post photos of kids who come to our events?

Only with explicit parental consent, never identifying a specific child by name or school, and take them down immediately on request. Default: don't.

A reporter wants an interview. How do I handle it?

Designate a press contact, confirm the outlet is legitimate, ask for questions in writing, stay on message (who you are, what you do, who you raise money for), don't speak for Sony, and always try to loop in a charity spokesperson. See Social media and press.

Governance

Does a franchise need bylaws?

Yes — at least a short constitution, a code of conduct, a membership policy, a safeguarding policy, and a charity disbursement policy. See Internal governance.

How should officers be chosen?

Election by members, 1–2 year terms, staggered so you don't lose the whole leadership at once. Founders should be term-limited too.

What if two members can't get along?

Resolve directly first; escalate to an officer; mediate; if necessary, officer vote. Don't put the whole membership in the position of judging interpersonal disputes. See Internal governance.

How do I remove a member?

Written complaint → initial review by two officers → member gets a chance to respond → officer vote → written decision with an appeal path. Safeguarding-related allegations trigger immediate suspension pending the process.

Winding down

Our founders want to step back. What do we do?

Announce with 60–90 days' notice, run an internal election, transfer passwords and accounts, introduce new leadership to partners and charity, and the old guard stays available for 90 days. See Inactive franchise handoff.

The franchise is wrapping up. What about the charity money?

All remaining funds go to the designated charity with a final public accounting. If there's insurance, notify the carrier. If there's a non-profit entity, follow formal dissolution.

Can our territory become a placeholder for a future group?

Yes — ask GBFans.com staff to mark your territory as a placeholder after your formal retirement. A future local fan who meets the eligibility rules can take it over instantly.

General

Where can I find other franchises?

The GBFans.com franchise directory — the map, the list, or by searching.

How can I support GBFans.com?

Keep your franchise listing accurate, contribute updates to this handbook (editor-role members can edit any guide here), and consider a supporting membership.

Something in this handbook is wrong or outdated. How do I fix it?

If you have editor access, click "Edit this guide" at the top of any article. If not, email [email protected] or ping an admin on Discord.

I have a question that isn't here.

Open a thread in the Ghostbusters forum or reach out to GBFans.com staff. If the same question comes in twice, it gets added here.

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