Who is responsible for paying wages, commissions, and benefits to employees of a Bigfoot Forestry franchise?
Bigfoot_Forestry Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
- (g) any labor, employment or similar type of Claim pertaining to your employees (including Claims alleging we are a joint employer of your employees) or our relationship with you or your Owners (including Claims alleging we are an employer of you and/or any of your Owners); or
- (h) any actions, investigations, rulings or proceedings conducted by any Governmental Authority (including the United States Department of Labor, Equal Employment Opportunity Commission or National Labor Relations Board) relating to your employees.
Source: Item 23 — RECEIPT (FDD pages 42–162)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to the 2025 Bigfoot Forestry Franchise Disclosure Document, the franchisee is responsible for all labor and employment-related claims pertaining to their employees. This includes the responsibility for paying wages, commissions, and benefits.
Specifically, the franchisee agrees to indemnify Bigfoot Franchising, LLC, and its affiliates against any losses or expenses they incur due to labor, employment, or similar claims related to the franchisee's employees. This encompasses claims alleging that Bigfoot Forestry is a joint employer of the franchisee's employees. It also extends to actions, investigations, rulings, or proceedings conducted by governmental authorities like the Department of Labor or the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission pertaining to the franchisee's employees.
This means that if an employee of a Bigfoot Forestry franchisee brings a claim for unpaid wages, discrimination, or any other employment-related issue, the franchisee is responsible for defending against the claim and covering any associated costs, including legal fees, settlements, or judgments. This arrangement is typical in franchising, where franchisees are generally considered independent business owners responsible for their own employees. Prospective franchisees should carefully consider these obligations and ensure they have adequate resources and insurance coverage to manage employment-related risks.