What are the responsibilities of the Managing Owner for a Bigfoot Forestry franchise?
Bigfoot_Forestry Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
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.
- **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.
- **8.3.
Service Technicians.** Bigfoot Forestry Services may only be performed by your Service Technicians.
Any Person you appoint as a Service Technician must successfully complete all training programs we require for Service Technicians and sign a Confidentiality Agreement (the Managing Owner does not sign a Confidentiality Agreement).
The Managing Owner may (but need not) serve as a Service Technician.
If you hire a Project Manager, the Project Manager must also serve as a Service Technician.
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, the Managing Owner has several key responsibilities. The Managing Owner is the person with primary responsibility for the overall management and operation of the Bigfoot Forestry business and must be approved by Bigfoot Forestry. The Managing Owner must successfully complete all required training programs. They must dedicate either full-time efforts if adhering to an owner-operator model or commercially reasonable efforts if a Project Manager is hired. The Managing Owner must also own at least 20% of the equity interests in the business, unless this requirement is waived by Bigfoot Forestry, and have binding decision-making authority.
Bigfoot Forestry strongly recommends an owner-operator model where the Managing Owner is actively involved full-time. This includes traveling to job sites to provide services, manage projects, and supervise service technicians. However, franchisees can hire a Project Manager to assume these on-site responsibilities. If a Project Manager is hired, the Managing Owner is responsible for monitoring and supervising the Project Manager to ensure compliance with the Franchise Agreement and the Manual.
If a Bigfoot Forestry franchisee opens and operates more than three territories, they must hire a Project Manager. The Managing Owner or Project Manager can manage a maximum of three territories. For every three additional territories, an additional Project Manager must be hired. The Managing Owner may also serve as a Service Technician, and if a Project Manager is hired, that Project Manager must also serve as a Service Technician. These requirements ensure adequate management and supervision as the Bigfoot Forestry business expands.