Is attendance at Bigfoot Forestry conferences mandatory?

According to Bigfoot Forestry's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, attendance at periodic conferences is generally mandatory for franchisees. These conferences are designed to discuss business and operational matters relevant to Bigfoot Forestry businesses. However, there are exceptions to this rule. Attendance is not mandatory if Bigfoot Forestry designates the conference as optional or if they waive the franchisee's obligation to attend due to a showing of good cause.

Franchisees should be aware that Bigfoot Forestry may charge a conference registration fee of up to $1,000 per person per conference. Even if a franchisee fails to attend a required conference without obtaining a waiver, they are still responsible for paying the conference registration fee. Additionally, franchisees are responsible for covering the wages and travel expenses incurred by themselves and their personnel when attending these conferences.

This mandatory attendance policy, coupled with the potential conference fees and associated costs, highlights the importance of budgeting for ongoing training and development within the Bigfoot Forestry franchise system. Franchisees should inquire about the frequency and location of these conferences during their due diligence to better understand the potential financial and time commitments involved.