If an Owner of a Belocal franchise is not the full-time operator, what is required?

We encourage but do not require an Owner to personally supervise the Franchised Business. We prefer to select franchisees who favor and appear committed to a "hands on" and well-informed approach to the business. The Franchised Business must be directly supervised and managed by a person, identified to us and accepted by us, who has both passed a background check and successfully completed our training program or for whom, based on his or her experience, we have waived this requirement. If an Owner is not willing to be the full-time operator of the Franchised Business, then you will be required to hire a manager acceptable to and approved by us, and any such manager(s) must successfully complete our training program and execute a confidentiality and non-solicitation agreement similar to the one that the Owners will execute. We do not require that your managers have any equity in the franchisee entity or receive any percentage of your Commissions. We strongly recommend that you devote a substantial amount of time to the Franchised Business, whether or not you hire a manager. Franchisees who do not devote their full time and efforts to the establishment and operation of the Franchised Business may generate lower advertising revenue and Commissions and lesser recognition in their areas than those franchisees who do devote their full efforts to the business.

Source: Item 15 — OBLIGATION TO PARTICIPATE IN THE ACTUAL OPERATION OF THE FRANCHISE BUSINESS (FDD pages 47–48)