Is Bigfoot Forestry bound by the suggestions of the franchise advisory council?
Bigfoot_Forestry Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
We may, but need not, create a franchise advisory council to provide us with suggestions to improve the System, including matters such as marketing, operations or new products or services. We would consider suggestions in good faith, but would not be bound by them. The council would be established and operated according to rules and regulations we periodically approve, including procedures governing the selection of council representatives to communicate with us on matters raised by the council. You would have the right to be a member of the council as long as you comply with your Franchise Agreement and do not act in a disruptive or abusive manner, as determined by us in our discretion. As a member, you would be entitled to all voting rights and privileges granted to other council members. Any company-owned Bigfoot Forestry Business would also be a member of the council. Each member would be granted 1 vote on all matters on which members are authorized to vote. We would have the power to form, change or dissolve the advisory council in our discretion.
Source: Item 11 — FRANCHISOR'S ASSISTANCE, ADVERTISING, COMPUTER SYSTEMS AND TRAINING (FDD pages 22–29)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Bigfoot Forestry's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, the franchisor may, but does not have to, create a franchise advisory council. The purpose of this council would be to provide suggestions to improve the Bigfoot Forestry system, covering areas like marketing, operations, or new products and services.
While Bigfoot Forestry would consider these suggestions in good faith, the document explicitly states that they would not be bound by them. The council's structure and operation would be determined by Bigfoot Forestry, including the selection of representatives to communicate with the franchisor. Franchisees in good standing would have the right to be members of the council, with voting rights, and company-owned Bigfoot Forestry businesses would also be members.
Bigfoot Forestry retains the power to form, change, or dissolve the advisory council at its discretion. This means that while franchisees have a potential avenue to provide input and feedback, Bigfoot Forestry ultimately maintains control over whether or not to implement those suggestions. This is a fairly common arrangement in franchising, where the franchisor seeks franchisee input but retains the final decision-making authority to ensure brand consistency and system-wide standards.