What is a Bigfoot Forestry franchisee's obligation regarding cooperation during an inspection?
Bigfoot_Forestry Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
all amounts we incur in connection with the performance of such
warranty work (including payment of our then-current standard rate for any work performed us or any amount we pay to another franchisee for any work performed by such franchisee).
- 11.15.Quality Assurance Programs. For quality control purposes we may periodically inspect your home office, equipment, and job sites in accordance with §6.4 and §16.1. Inspections may address a variety of issues, including customer service, equipment condition, quality of work performed, waste removal, cleanup, etc. You must fully cooperate with all inspections. We may implement a scoring system pursuant to which each Bigfoot Forestry Business receives a "grade" or "score" based on the inspection results. Your failure to achieve a passing grade or score constitutes a default under this Agreement. You must take all actions we specify within the period of time we prescribe in order to rectify any non-compliance issues revealed by an inspection.
- 11.16.Failure to Comply with Standards. You acknowledge the importance of every one of our standards and operating procedures to the reputation and integrity of the System and goodwill associated with the Marks. If we notify you of a breach of our standards or operating procedures (including failure to submit required reports in a timely manner) and you fail to cure within the time period we prescribe, we may (in addition to our other remedies under this Agreement) impose a noncompliance fee of $500 per occurrence. We may impose a separate $100 fee every 48 hours the same noncompliance issue remains uncured after we impose the initial fee. Any noncompliance fees we collect are paid in consideration of us refraining from exercising our contractual right to terminate this Agreement. If you fail to cure a breach before the expiration of the cure period (if any) and we take steps to cure the breach (for example, obtaining required insurance coverage on your behalf or paying amounts you owe to system suppliers), then you must: (a) reimburse all costs and expenses we directly or indirectly incur in connection with our efforts to cure the default; and (b) pay us an administrative fee equal to 10% of all such costs and expenses. Your payment of these fees and expense reimbursements does not preclude us from terminating this Agreement in accordance with §20.2 if the default continues after we collect these amounts.
- **12.
Source: Item 23 — RECEIPT (FDD pages 42–162)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Bigfoot Forestry's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, franchisees must fully cooperate with all inspections conducted by the franchisor for quality control and compliance purposes. These inspections may address customer service, equipment condition, quality of work, waste removal, and cleanup.
Bigfoot Forestry may conduct inspections at any time without prior notice, except for home office inspections, which require at least 48 hours' notice and a scheduled reasonable time. Franchisees and their employees must not interfere with the inspection, and franchisees consent to Bigfoot Forestry accessing their Technology Systems to retrieve Business Data.
If a franchisee fails to achieve a passing grade or score based on the inspection results, it constitutes a default under the Franchise Agreement. The franchisee must take all actions specified by Bigfoot Forestry within the prescribed time to rectify any non-compliance issues. Franchisees are also required to reimburse Bigfoot Forestry for travel expenses and other costs incurred to conduct an inspection if it is to verify the remedy of a health or safety issue identified by a Governmental Authority or a breach of system standards brought to the franchisee's attention.