Is Bigfoot Forestry obligated to conduct field visits to a franchisee's business?
Bigfoot_Forestry Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
(c) we inspect and confirm your Bigfoot Forestry Vehicle meets our standards and specifications;
(d) you secure access to a suitable Storage Facility;
(e) you set up your office and acquire and install all required Technology Systems;
(f) you obtain all required licenses, permits and approvals from Governmental Authorities;
(g) you purchase all required insurance policies and provide us with evidence of;
(h) you hire your initial Service Technicians and, if applicable, Project Manager; and
(i) you fulfill all of your other preopening obligations under this Agreement and the Manual.
8. MANAGEMENT AND STAFFING.
8.1. Owner Participation. You must designate an Owner with primary responsibility for the management and operation of your Business (the "Managing Owner"). We strongly recommend, but do not require, that you adhere to an owner-operator model whereby the Managing Owner: (a) remains actively and personally involved with the operation of your Business on a full-time basis; and (b) travels to job sites for purposes of providing Bigfoot Forestry Services, managing projects and supervising Service Technicians (if any). However, we do permit you to hire a Project Manager in accordance with §8.2 to assume these responsibilities from the Managing Owner. Either the Managing Owner or a Project Manager be present at each job site for purposes of providing Bigfoot Forestry Services, managing the project and supervising Service Technicians. The Managing Owner must: (a) be approved by us; (b) successfully complete all training programs we require; (c) dedicate either (i) full-time efforts to the Business (if you adhere to an owner-operator model) or (ii) commercially reasonable efforts to the Business (if you hire a Project Manager); (d) at all times own
- at least 20% of the Equity Interests in the Business or Franchisee Entity unless we waive this requirement; and (e) have binding decision-making authority on matters involving your Business.
Your other Owners may be passive investors.
Source: Item 23 — RECEIPT (FDD pages 42–162)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
Based on the 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, it appears that Bigfoot Forestry does not explicitly state an obligation to conduct field visits to a franchisee's business. However, the FDD does outline certain requirements and recommendations regarding the franchisee's or a Project Manager's presence at job sites.
Specifically, Bigfoot Forestry strongly recommends, but does not require, that the Managing Owner of the franchise remains actively and personally involved with the operation on a full-time basis, including traveling to job sites for providing services, managing projects, and supervising Service Technicians. The FDD permits the franchisee to hire a Project Manager to assume these responsibilities. The Managing Owner must be approved by Bigfoot Forestry and successfully complete all required training programs.
While Bigfoot Forestry emphasizes the importance of on-site management and supervision, the document does not explicitly mandate that Bigfoot Forestry itself will conduct regular field visits. A prospective franchisee should clarify with Bigfoot Forestry during their due diligence process the extent to which the franchisor conducts field visits, the purpose of those visits, and what support or oversight franchisees can expect from the franchisor's field representatives.