Is a Buff City Soap franchisee required to participate in customer loyalty programs implemented by the franchisor or its affiliates?
Buff_City_Soap Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
Franchisee must, at Franchisee's expense, participate in, and comply with the requirements of, any gift certificate, gift card, stored value card, customer loyalty, or customer retention program (e.g. customer e-mail program) that Franchisor or its Affiliates implement for all or part of the System and must sign the forms and take any other action that Franchisor or its Affiliates require in order for Franchisee to participate in such programs. Without limitation, Franchisee must honor coupons, stored value cards, gift certificates, gift cards, or vouchers sold or distributed by other Buff City Soap locations and include the related proceeds in Net Sales strictly in accordance with the Standards and further comply with Franchisor's policies related to such coupons, stored value cards, gift certificates, gift cards and vouchers set forth in the Manuals. Franchisee will not issue or offer any gift certificate, gift card, stored value card, customer loyalty or retention program without Franchisor's prior written approval. Franchisee will utilize a vendor approved by Franchisor or its Affiliates for gift card processing. Any coupon offer proposed by Franchisee must be approved by Franchisor in writing prior to being offered.
Source: Item 23 — Receipts (FDD pages 69–186)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to the 2025 Buff City Soap Franchise Disclosure Document, franchisees are required to participate in any customer loyalty programs that Buff City Soap or its affiliates implement. The franchisee bears the expense of participation and must adhere to the program's requirements. This includes signing required forms and taking necessary actions to participate.
Buff City Soap franchisees must honor coupons, stored value cards, gift certificates, gift cards, or vouchers sold or distributed by other Buff City Soap locations and include the related proceeds in Net Sales strictly in accordance with the Standards. Franchisees must also comply with Buff City Soap's policies related to such coupons, stored value cards, gift certificates, gift cards and vouchers set forth in the Manuals.
Furthermore, franchisees cannot independently issue or offer any gift certificate, gift card, stored value card, customer loyalty, or retention program without obtaining prior written approval from Buff City Soap. They are also required to use a vendor approved by Buff City Soap or its Affiliates for gift card processing. Any coupon offer proposed by the franchisee must be approved by Buff City Soap in writing before it is offered.