For an Aplus franchise, what staffing requirements must be met to service customers promptly and properly?
Aplus Franchise · 2024 FDDAnswer from 2024 FDD Document
aded gasoline requirements.
Standards of Operation and Appearance.
- (C) You agree to comply with the following standards of operation and appearance and with such standards as may be imposed by your APlus Franchise Agreement and Sunoco Motor Fuel Supply Agreement:
- (1) You agree to operate the Premises in such a manner as to not damage, tarnish, diminish, or disparage Sunoco's goodwill, service marks, trade dress, and service names.
- (2) You agree to be present on a regular basis for a total of at least forty (40) hours per week including 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on at least three (3) weekdays (Monday through Friday) if you operate one (1) APlus Store. You are required to participate in the management and
- the direct operation of the franchise. Your required participation includes supervising your employees and directing or making sales of products and service to the consumer.
- (3) You agree that if you lease two (2) or more APlus Stores, the same forty (40) hour requirement in Subsection 2.07(C)(2) above applies to you, except that you must be present at each APlus Store from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at least two (2) weekdays and you must have at least one (1) employee who has successfully completed the APlus Training Program at each APlus Store. You have four (4) months to replace the trained manager after he or she is no longer employed by you.
- (4) You agree to maintain and offer for sale at retail an inventory of Sunoco Branded Motor Fuels sufficient to promptly and efficiently satisfy the requirements of customers at all times the Premises are required to be open.
- (5) You agree to arrange and display inventory, advertising and sales promotion material in a lawful and orderly manner, visible to the public and to exclude any graphics and/or materials not specifically approved in writing by Sunoco.
- (6) You agree to wear and to have your employees wear neat, clean uniforms of a type and style approved by Sunoco.
- (7) You agree to have sufficient lighting and illuminated signs to provide full vision of the Premises, including enclosed areas, at all times while open for operation.
Source: Item 23 — RECEIPT (FDD pages 68–302)
What This Means (2024 FDD)
According to the 2024 Aplus Franchise Disclosure Document, franchisees must meet certain staffing requirements to ensure proper customer service. The franchisee is required to supervise employees and direct sales to customers. If a franchisee leases two or more Aplus stores, they must be present at each location from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. for at least two weekdays. Additionally, each Aplus store must have at least one employee who has successfully completed the Aplus Training Program. If the trained manager is no longer employed, the franchisee has four months to replace them.
To maintain service standards, Aplus requires franchisees to maintain sufficient inventory of Sunoco branded motor fuels to meet customer demands at all times the premises are open. Franchisees must also ensure that all employees wear neat, clean uniforms of a style approved by Sunoco.
Aplus also conducts quality assurance audits, including mystery shopper programs, to assess customer satisfaction. These audits may be performed by Aplus personnel, with the franchisee potentially charged $300 per inspection or the actual costs of a mystery shop plus administrative expenses up to $300. Aplus may also require franchisees to engage third-party service providers for periodic quality assurance audits and mystery shops at the franchisee's expense. These measures ensure that Aplus stores maintain consistent standards of operation and customer service.