Does Buff City Soap currently impose minimum hours of operation on its franchisees?
Buff_City_Soap Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
You must operate the Franchised Business under the System as specified in the Franchise Agreement, the Manuals, and in our standards and policies, including key assessments and service standards we make when visiting your Makery. You or your approved Store Manager must actively operate the Makery at all times. We do not currently impose minimum hours of operation.
Source: Item 16 — Restrictions on What the Franchisee May Sell (FDD pages 49–59)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Buff City Soap's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, Buff City Soap does not currently mandate minimum operating hours for its franchisees. However, the FDD stipulates that the franchisee or an approved store manager must actively operate the Makery at all times. This suggests that while there isn't a set number of hours, active management presence is a requirement.
This policy provides some flexibility for franchisees in managing their time, but it also necessitates a commitment to having either the franchisee or a designated manager present during all operating hours. This is a fairly common practice in franchising, as it ensures that the business is properly managed and that customer service standards are maintained.
Prospective franchisees should consider the implications of this requirement, particularly in terms of staffing and personal time commitment. While minimum hours aren't specified, the active management requirement means that franchisees need to plan for consistent coverage during business hours. It would be prudent for potential franchisees to discuss with Buff City Soap what constitutes "actively operate the Makery" to fully understand the expectations.