What kind of additional training or assistance can I request from Bigfoot Forestry?
Bigfoot_Forestry Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
During the operation of your Bigfoot Forestry Business, we may, but need not:
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- Provide additional training or assistance you request, as discussed below under "Training Program". (§5.3)
We may offer periodic refresher or supplemental training courses for your Managing Owner, Project Manager (if applicable) and other management personnel. We may designate each course as mandatory or optional. Any new Managing Owner or Project Manager you appoint or hire must successfully complete initial training prior to managing your Business. If we determine you are not operating in compliance with the Franchise Agreement or Manual, we may require that your Managing Owner, Project Manager (if applicable) and other management personnel attend remedial training relevant to your operational deficiencies. You may also request additional training, which we may (but need not) provide.
Our current instructors include Ben Bartnikowski, Phillip Gillian and Carrie Hoff.
Ben Bartnikowski is in charge of our training program. He is the founder of Bigfoot Forestry and has been part of the system since 2020. He has served as Chief Executive Officer of: (a) the franchisor since July 2022; (b) BigFoot Forestry, LLC (which operates our company-owned outlet) since 2020; and (c) ACAE (our affiliate which is the designated supplier of the Equipment Package and Startup Package) since 2013. Ben provides instruction on all topics and has 12 years of experience in the industry.
Phillip has been part of our system since 2021 and currently serves as our Director of Field Operations. He
provides instruction on matters relating to operations and equipment (including use and maintenance). Phillip spent 10 years as an equipment operator, trainer, service technician and delivery driver/transport for Skywalker. He also spent nearly 5 years as an equipment operator, trainer and service technician for Steel Fab. He has a total of 27 years of experience in the relevant field.
Carrie Hoff has been part of our system since January 2024 and currently serves as our Chief Financial Officer. She provides instruction on accounting matters and use of certain software. Prior to joining us, she spent 3 years as a Service Manager for Company Wrench and 2 years as a Staff Accountant for Black Jack Harley Davidson. She has a total of 16 years of experience with accounting, accounting software, CRM programs and business management.
Ben, Phillip and Carrie may recruit other instructors to assist with our training program. All instructors would have a minimum of 5 years of experience in the relevant field.
We provide our pre-opening initial training program at no additional charge. We also do not charge a training fee for system-wide refresher or supplemental training programs. We may charge you a training fee of up to $500 per person per day for any person who attends: (a) initial training after you open (e.g., new Managing Owner or Project Manager); (b) retraining after failing a prior attempt; (c) remedial training; or (d) additional training you request. If we provide onsite training or assistance, you must also reimburse all Travel Expenses we incur. You are responsible for all wages and Travel Expenses that you and your trainees incur for training.
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, franchisees can request additional training or assistance, although the franchisor is not obligated to provide it. This additional training may be especially useful if a franchisee feels they need more support beyond the initial and ongoing training programs.
Bigfoot Forestry may offer periodic refresher or supplemental training courses for the Managing Owner, Project Manager, and other management personnel. The franchisor may designate each course as mandatory or optional. If Bigfoot Forestry determines that a franchisee is not operating in compliance with the Franchise Agreement or Manual, they may require that the Managing Owner, Project Manager, and other management personnel attend remedial training relevant to operational deficiencies.
Ben Bartnikowski, Phillip Gillian, and Carrie Hoff are the current instructors for Bigfoot Forestry. Ben Bartnikowski provides instruction on all topics with 12 years of experience in the industry. Phillip Gillian provides instruction on matters relating to operations and equipment with 27 years of experience. Carrie Hoff provides instruction on accounting matters and use of certain software with 16 years of experience. These instructors may recruit other instructors to assist with the training program, provided they have a minimum of 5 years of experience in the relevant field.
Bigfoot Forestry provides its pre-opening initial training program at no additional charge, and they also do not charge a training fee for system-wide refresher or supplemental training programs. However, Bigfoot Forestry may charge a training fee of up to $500 per person per day for any person who attends initial training after opening, retraining after failing a prior attempt, remedial training, or additional training requested by the franchisee. If Bigfoot Forestry provides onsite training or assistance, the franchisee must also reimburse all travel expenses incurred by Bigfoot Forestry. The franchisee is responsible for all wages and travel expenses that they and their trainees incur for training.