In the Bigfoot Forestry agreement, what is the franchisee entity required to perform?
Bigfoot_Forestry Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
(c) we inspect and confirm your Bigfoot Forestry Vehicle meets our standards and specifications;
(d) you secure access to a suitable Storage Facility;
(e) you set up your office and acquire and install all required Technology Systems;
(f) you obtain all required licenses, permits and approvals from Governmental Authorities;
(g) you purchase all required insurance policies and provide us with evidence of;
(h) you hire your initial Service Technicians and, if applicable, Project Manager; and
(i) you fulfill all of your other preopening obligations under this Agreement and the Manual.
8. MANAGEMENT AND STAFFING.
8.1. Owner Participation. You must designate an Owner with primary responsibility for the management and operation of your Business (the "Managing Owner"). We strongly recommend, but do not require, that you adhere to an owner-operator model whereby the Managing Owner: (a) remains actively and personally involved with the operation of your Business on a full-time basis; and (b) travels to job sites for purposes of providing Bigfoot Forestry Services, managing projects and supervising Service Technicians (if any). However, we do permit you to hire a Project Manager in accordance with §8.2 to assume these responsibilities from the Managing Owner. Either the Managing Owner or a Project Manager be present at each job site for purposes of providing Bigfoot Forestry Services, managing the project and supervising Service Technicians. The Managing Owner must: (a) be approved by us; (b) successfully complete all training programs we require; (c) dedicate either (i) full-time efforts to the Business (if you adhere to an owner-operator model) or (ii) commercially reasonable efforts to the Business (if you hire a Project Manager); (d) at all times own
- at least 20% of the Equity Interests in the Business or Franchisee Entity unless we waive this requirement; and (e) have binding decision-making authority on matters involving your Business.
Your other Owners may be passive investors.
- **8.2.
Project Manager.** If you do not adhere to an owner-operator model, you must hire a Person (a "Project Manager") to manage and supervise your Business.
The Project Manager must: (a) remain actively and personally involved with the operation of your Business on a full-time basis; and (b) travel to job sites for purposes of providing Bigfoot Forestry Services, managing projects and supervising Service Technicians (if any).
The Managing Owner must monitor and supervise the Project Manager to ensure your Business is operated in compliance with this Agreement and the Manual.
Any Person you hire as a Project Manager must: (a) be approved by us; (b) satisfy all requirements in §8.3 for Service Technicians; (c) successfully complete all additional training programs we require for a Project Manager; (d) dedicate full-time efforts to your Business; and (e) sign a Confidentiality Agreement.
If you own and operate more than three (3) Bigfoot Forestry Businesses, you must hire a Project Manager.
The Managing Owner or Project Manager can manage a maximum of three (3) territories.
You must hire an additional Project Manager for every three (3) additional territories you open and operate.
Source: Item 23 — RECEIPT (FDD pages 42–162)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Bigfoot Forestry's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, the franchisee entity has several key obligations related to management, staffing, and pre-opening preparations. A designated owner, known as the "Managing Owner," must be actively involved in the business's operations, dedicating full-time efforts if adhering to an owner-operator model, or commercially reasonable efforts if a Project Manager is hired. This Managing Owner must be approved by Bigfoot Forestry, complete required training programs, and maintain at least 20% equity interest in the business, unless this requirement is waived. They must also possess binding decision-making authority.
If the franchisee operates more than three Bigfoot Forestry Businesses, they are required to hire a Project Manager to oversee operations. This Project Manager must be approved by Bigfoot Forestry, meet the criteria for Service Technicians, complete additional training, dedicate full-time efforts to the business, and sign a Confidentiality Agreement. The Managing Owner or Project Manager can manage a maximum of three territories, necessitating the hiring of an additional Project Manager for every three additional territories opened.
Prior to opening, the franchisee must ensure the Bigfoot Forestry vehicle meets the franchisor's standards, secure a suitable storage facility, set up the office and install required technology systems, obtain all necessary licenses and permits, purchase required insurance policies, and hire initial Service Technicians and a Project Manager if applicable. These obligations ensure that each Bigfoot Forestry location is properly managed and staffed, adhering to the franchisor's standards and operational guidelines. The franchisee must also fulfill all other pre-opening obligations under the Franchise Agreement and the Manual.