Is Bigfoot Forestry required to create a 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 company is not required to establish a franchise advisory council. The FDD states that Bigfoot Forestry may, but does not need to, create such a council.
If Bigfoot Forestry chooses to form a franchise advisory council, its purpose would be to gather suggestions for improving the Bigfoot Forestry system. These suggestions could relate to marketing, operations, new products, or services. While Bigfoot Forestry would consider these suggestions in good faith, it would not be legally bound to implement them.
Franchisees in good standing would have the right to be members of the council, with full voting rights. Company-owned Bigfoot Forestry businesses would also be members and have one vote each. However, Bigfoot Forestry retains the power to form, change, or dissolve the advisory council at its discretion.