What training program must a Beard Papas Operating Manager complete?
Beard_Papas Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
FRANCHISE BUSINESS**
The Franchise Agreement requires that you or, if you are a Corporate Entity, your designated managing shareholder, member or partner (your "Managing Owner") be personally responsible for the management and overall supervision of your Shop. Your Managing Owner must complete, to our satisfaction, our initial training program and be approved by us. While we recommend that your Managing Owner personally participate in the day-to-day management and on-site supervision and operations of your Shop, you may hire an operating manager to supervise and manage the day-to-day on-site operations of your Shop provided that your operating manager: (a) meets all of our minimum standards and criteria for managers; (b) completes our initial training program; and (c) signs our confidentiality agreements (an "Operating Manager"). At all times, your Shop must be managed and supervised on-site by either a Managing Owner or Operating Manager. If you own and operate multiple Shops then each Shop must be managed and supervised on-site by an Operating Manager.
You and, if you are a Corporate Entity, each of your members, shareholders and/or partners (collectively, "Owners"), must personally guarantee all of your obligations to us under the Franchise Agreement. Each Owner and the spouse of each Owner must personally guarantee your obligations to us under the Franchise Agreement. You and each Owner and spouse must also promise in writing that, among other things, during the term of the Franchise Agreement you will not participate in any business that in any way competes with the Franchised Business, and that for 24 months after the expiration of termination of the Franchise Agreement (with said period being tolled during any periods of non-compliance), neither you nor your Owners and their spouses will participate in any competitive business located within and/or servicing customers located within your Designated Territory and a 25 mile radius surrounding your Designated Territory.
Source: Item 15 — OBLIGATION TO PARTICIPATE IN THE ACTUAL OPERATION OF THE FRANCHISE BUSINESS (FDD pages 42–43)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to the 2025 Beard Papas Franchise Disclosure Document, if a franchisee chooses to hire an operating manager, that manager must meet certain requirements. Specifically, the operating manager must meet all of Beard Papas' minimum standards and criteria for managers. Additionally, the operating manager must successfully complete Beard Papas' initial training program. Finally, the operating manager is required to sign Beard Papas' confidentiality agreements.
This means that any individual hired to oversee the day-to-day operations of a Beard Papas shop must undergo the same initial training as the managing owner. This ensures that the operating manager is well-versed in the brand's standards, operational procedures, and quality control measures. The initial training program uses manuals, live instruction, and handouts. The training is under the direction and supervision of Beard Papa's Corporate Trainer, Aya Amada.
The requirement for the operating manager to sign a confidentiality agreement underscores the importance Beard Papas places on protecting its proprietary information. This includes recipes, production methods, and other confidential business practices. By mandating this agreement, Beard Papas aims to prevent the unauthorized disclosure of sensitive information that could potentially harm the brand's competitive advantage.
Furthermore, if the Franchised Business is not being managed by a Managing Owner or Operating Manager who satisfactorily completed the Training Program, Beard Papas is authorized to immediately appoint a manager to maintain the operations of the Franchised Business for and on behalf of Franchisee. Franchisor has the right to charge fees and expenses, as determined by Franchisor, for management services. This ensures the Beard Papas shop continues to operate according to brand standards.