Does Basecamp Fitness impose any limitations on whom you can hire as your Principal Operator?
Basecamp_Fitness Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
We do not impose any limitations on whom you can hire as your Principal Operator, but that person must complete our initial training requirements and all other training we reasonably designate, and that person along with your studio and fitness manager must sign a confidentiality and non-disclosure agreement with you that meets our requirements and that you provide to us before they attend training. We also require you to designate a Principal Owner of your business to attend our Conference each year, even if that person is not personally supervising your Basecamp Studio. We do not require the Principal Operator of your business to have any ownership interest in your business.
Source: Item 15 — OBLIGATION TO PARTICIPATE IN THE ACTUAL OPERATION OF THE FRANCHISE BUSINESS (FDD pages 50–51)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Basecamp Fitness's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, while they recommend franchisees personally supervise their Basecamp Studio, it is not mandatory. If a franchisee chooses not to be the on-premise manager, they must designate a Principal Operator to fulfill this role.
Basecamp Fitness does not impose specific limitations on who can be hired as the Principal Operator. However, the designated individual must complete the Initial Training Program and any other training deemed necessary by Basecamp Fitness. Additionally, the Principal Operator, along with the studio and fitness manager, is required to sign a confidentiality and non-disclosure agreement that meets Basecamp Fitness's requirements. This agreement must be provided to Basecamp Fitness before the individual attends training.
It's important to note that Basecamp Fitness requires the designation of a Principal Owner to attend their annual conference, regardless of whether that person is directly supervising the studio. The Principal Operator is not required to have any ownership interest in the business. Furthermore, all Principal Operators, studio managers, and fitness managers must sign non-disclosure agreements with the franchisee.
Franchisees must comply with all applicable employment laws when hiring and managing their staff. Basecamp Fitness emphasizes that they will not have any duty or obligation to direct the franchisee's employees, schedule them, or oversee employment policies and practices. The franchisee is solely responsible for all wages, travel, living expenses, and other costs incurred by the franchisee and their employees in connection with any training or instruction provided by Basecamp Fitness.