Is the Beard Papas franchisee responsible for all costs associated with travel to and attendance at the Annual System Conference?
Beard_Papas Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
all occur and, if one is established in any particular year, the dates, content and location of the Annual System Conference. The Annual System Conference shall be for a duration of not more than three consecutive days per calendar year. Franchisee is responsible for all costs and expenses associated with Franchisee's travel to and attendance at the Annual System Conference.
- "Approved Services and Products" shall have the meaning defined in the "Recitals" section of this Agreement and shall further refer to and mean those products and services that Franchisor authorizes for sale by Beard Papa's Shops. Franchisor shall exclusively designate and determine the Approved Services and Products and Franchisor, in Franchisor's Reasonable Business Judgment, may change, modify, reduce, or supplement the Approved Services and Products that must be offered and sold by the Franchised Business and those products and services that may not be sold by the Franchised Business. The Operations Manual, subject to changes that Franchisor may make from time to time and Franchisor's right to change and modify the Approved Services and Products, shall designate the Approved Services and Products that must be offered and sold by the Franchised Business. The Franchised Business may only offer and sell the Approved Services and Products.
- "Assignment of Telephone Numbers and Digital Media Accounts" refers to and means the Assignment of Telephone Numbers and Digital Media Accounts agreement attached to this Agreement as Exhibit 6.
Source: Item 23 — RECEIPTS (FDD pages 58–275)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Beard Papas's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, the franchisee is responsible for all costs associated with travel to and attendance at the Annual System Conference. The franchisee must cover all expenses for their personnel, including travel, meals, and lodging.
Even if a Beard Papas franchisee chooses not to attend the Annual System Conference, they are still obligated to pay the Annual Conference Attendance Fee. The franchisor determines the amount of this fee, which cannot exceed $1,200 annually. This fee applies regardless of attendance, unless the franchisor specifically waives it for franchisees who do attend.
The Annual System Conference, if established by Beard Papas, is designed to facilitate networking among franchisees and provide general education. The franchisor decides whether the conference will occur in any given year, as well as its dates, content, and location. The conference will not last more than three consecutive days per calendar year. This policy of requiring fees regardless of attendance is not uncommon in franchising, as it helps to cover the costs of organizing the conference and providing resources to the franchise system.