Under what conditions is attendance at Bigfoot Forestry conferences not mandatory?

According to Bigfoot Forestry's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, attendance at periodic conferences is generally mandatory for franchisees. However, there are two specific circumstances under which a franchisee is not required to attend. First, Bigfoot Forestry may designate attendance as optional, giving franchisees the choice to attend or not. Second, Bigfoot Forestry may waive a franchisee's obligation to attend if the franchisee can demonstrate good cause for their absence.

It's important to note that even if a franchisee is not required to attend a conference, they may still be responsible for the conference registration fee if they fail to attend a required conference without obtaining a waiver from Bigfoot Forestry. The FDD states that Bigfoot Forestry may charge a conference registration fee of up to $1,000 per person per conference. Franchisees are also responsible for any wages and travel expenses incurred by themselves or their personnel when attending these conferences.

This policy highlights the importance of communication between Bigfoot Forestry and its franchisees. If a franchisee has a legitimate reason for not being able to attend a mandatory conference, they should proactively seek a waiver from Bigfoot Forestry to avoid being charged the registration fee. Understanding the conditions under which conference attendance is not mandatory allows franchisees to plan accordingly and manage their business operations effectively.