What are the certification requirements for a Bonchon Area Manager?
Bonchon Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
Prior to you (or your affiliate) opening your third Bonchon Business, you must designate in writing to us an "Area Manager" who will have the obligation to oversee operations of each Bonchon Restaurant that you and/or your affiliates own and operate. Prior to engaging the services of an Area Manager, you must identify such individual to us. The Area Manager must be certified to manage multi-unit operations. Your Area Manager must also have first attended, received and hold a current Bonchon approved nationally accredited food manager certification in addition to any safe food handling courses required by the local municipality in which the subject Restaurant is located. Once your Area Manager has obtained its Bonchon approved nationally accredited food manager certification, then your Area Manager must attend and successfully complete our Initial Training Program and such additional training that we may require (as described in the first Franchise Agreement we sign for your first Bonchon Business, attached hereto as Exhibit B) prior to the opening of your third Bonchon Business. Your Area Manager may not hold any other position in your organization or business entity or in any of your Bonchon Businesses or Restaurants while he/she is serving as your Area Manager. The requirement to designate an Area Manager prior to the opening of your third Bonchon Business applies whether the development of your third Bonchon Business is (i) pursuant to the Development Schedule in Section 6.01 above, (ii) you (or your affiliate) entering into separate unrelated unit franchise agreements, (iii) your (or your affiliate's) acquisition of existing Bonchon Businesses or (iv) some combination of the foregoing.
Upon the death, disability or termination of employment of the Area Manager, for any cause or reason, you shall immediately notify us, and designate and obtain our prior written approval of an interim or acting Area Manager and, no later than 90 days following the death, disability or termination of the predecessor Area Manager, you must designate a successor Area Manager. Each
successor Area Manager must be certified to manage multi-unit operations, obtain a Bonchon nationally accredited food manager certification from the National Restaurant Association and attend and successfully complete our next scheduled Initial Training Program (as described in the first Franchise Agreement we sign for your first Bonchon Business, attached hereto as Exhibit B). The failure to employ and train a successor Area Manager shall constitute a material breach of this Agreement.
Source: Item 23 — RECEIPTS (FDD pages 92–536)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Bonchon's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, an Area Manager is required once a franchisee (or their affiliate) opens their third Bonchon restaurant. The Area Manager must be certified to manage multi-unit operations. Prior to beginning their duties, the Area Manager must have a current Bonchon-approved nationally accredited food manager certification, in addition to any safe food handling courses mandated by the local municipality where the restaurant is located.
After securing the food manager certification, the Area Manager is then required to attend and successfully complete Bonchon's Initial Training Program, as well as any additional training that Bonchon may require. The franchisee is responsible for covering all expenses incurred by the Area Manager during training, including salaries, travel, meals, and lodging.
If an Area Manager leaves their position due to death, disability, or termination, the franchisee must promptly notify Bonchon. They must then designate an interim or acting Area Manager, securing Bonchon's written approval. Within 90 days, a successor Area Manager must be appointed, who must also be certified to manage multi-unit operations, obtain the food manager certification, and complete the Initial Training Program. Failing to properly train a successor Area Manager constitutes a material breach of the franchise agreement.