Can Brueggers Bagels disapprove of individuals serving in a Brueggers Bagels Bakery, and if so, what roles does this apply to?
Brueggers_Bagels Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
- 7.2.7. You and your staff must, at all times, cooperate with us and with our representatives.
We will have the ongoing right to approve or disapprove of the service of individuals in your Bakery as to the role that they play in your business (including but not limited to the capacity of Certified Managers, such as the Operating Partner and the Store Manager); if any time we disapprove of such an individual, you agree to remove him/her from the role that we disapprove (but you understand and agree that our disapproval of any individual's service in a particular role is not meant to be, and should not be construed as, any instruction or demand on our part that the individual should be dismissed as an employee).
Source: Item 22 — CONTRACTS (FDD page 61)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Brueggers Bagels's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, Brueggers Bagels retains the right to approve or disapprove of individuals serving in a franchisee's bakery. This extends to any role within the business, including Certified Managers such as the Operating Partner and the Store Manager.
This provision grants Brueggers Bagels significant control over the personnel in franchised locations. While Brueggers Bagels can demand the removal of an individual from a specific role, the document clarifies that this disapproval should not be construed as a demand for outright dismissal of the employee. The franchisee retains the discretion to reassign the individual to a different role within the bakery, or to terminate employment separately.
For a prospective franchisee, this means that Brueggers Bagels has the power to influence staffing decisions. While franchisees can hire their own employees, Brueggers Bagels can intervene if they deem an individual unsuitable for a particular role. This could lead to potential conflicts if the franchisee disagrees with Brueggers Bagels's assessment of an employee. It is important to understand the criteria Brueggers Bagels uses for evaluating personnel and to maintain open communication with the franchisor regarding staffing decisions to avoid potential issues.