Is it mandatory to hire a Project Manager for a Bigfoot Forestry franchise?
Bigfoot_Forestry Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
**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 15 — OBLIGATION TO PARTICIPATE IN THE ACTUAL OPERATION OF THE FRANCHISE BUSINESS (FDD pages 32–33)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Bigfoot Forestry's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, whether you need to hire a Project Manager depends on your operational model and the number of territories you manage. Bigfoot Forestry strongly recommends an owner-operator model where the Managing Owner is actively involved full-time. However, if you prefer, you can hire a Project Manager to handle on-site management responsibilities.
If you choose not to adhere to the owner-operator model, hiring a Project Manager becomes mandatory. The Project Manager must be approved by Bigfoot Forestry, meet the requirements for Service Technicians, complete additional training, dedicate full-time efforts to the business, and sign a Confidentiality Agreement. The Managing Owner is then responsible for monitoring and supervising the Project Manager to ensure compliance with the Franchise Agreement and Manual.
Furthermore, if you expand your Bigfoot Forestry business to include more than three territories, you are required to hire a Project Manager. The Managing Owner or a Project Manager can manage a maximum of three territories, so for every three additional territories you open, you must hire another Project Manager. This ensures adequate management and supervision across all your Bigfoot Forestry locations.