Is the Buff City Soap franchisee solely responsible for the Technology System's acquisition, operation, maintenance, and upgrades?
Buff_City_Soap Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
limited to, third-party computer or electronic systems made part of the System. Franchisee will be responsible for its actions and the actions of its Personnel relating to such computer and electronic systems, including use of any logon IDs, passwords or other authentication methods provided to Franchisee. All Franchisee connectivity or attempted connectivity to Franchisor's computer and electronic systems will be only through Franchisor's security gateways or Franchisor's firewalls. Franchisee will not access and will not permit unauthorized persons or entities within its control to access, Franchisor's computer or electronic systems without Franchisor's express written authorization, and any such actual or attempted access will be consistent with any such authorization. Franchisee will fully comply with Franchisor's systems access requirements and related Standards with respect to such computer and electronic systems.
(f) Payment Processing. Franchisor may, at its sole discretion, choose to change credit card payment processing service providers. Such a change may require a replacement of credit card terminals used to process credit card, debit card and other methods of payment. In such circumstances, such replacements will be the Franchisee's responsibility. Franchisor may choose to be responsible to pay, on your behalf, any related or associated equipment manufacturers, value added resellers, or service providers for payment processing technologies. In such cases, Franchisor will invoice Franchisee for these technologies and services for which are required to operate Franchisee's BCS Makery.
**9.
Source: Item 23 — Receipts (FDD pages 69–186)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to the 2025 Buff City Soap Franchise Disclosure Document, franchisees have specific responsibilities regarding technology and system standards. While the document does not explicitly state that the franchisee is solely responsible for the Technology System's acquisition, operation, maintenance, and upgrades, it does outline several related obligations.
Specifically, the franchisee must comply with Buff City Soap's systems access requirements and related standards concerning computer and electronic systems. Additionally, if Buff City Soap changes credit card payment processing service providers, the franchisee is responsible for replacing credit card terminals. Buff City Soap may choose to pay equipment manufacturers or service providers on behalf of the franchisee, but in such cases, the franchisee will be invoiced for these technologies and services.
The FDD also states that the franchisee must comply with any changes made to the System by Buff City Soap at the franchisee's sole cost and expense and may be required to attend meetings, at its own cost and expense, to discuss any System changes. The franchisee will make such capital improvement or modifications necessary to modernize, redecorate, and upgrade the Makery, including without limitation the Operating Assets in accordance with Franchisor's then-current Standards, provided that (1) the aggregate amount of capital improvements, modifications, and upgrades to the Makery (including those upgrades required in Sections 8(b) and 8(c) of this Agreement) required by Franchisor will not exceed $500,000 during the Initial Term; and (2) Franchisee will not be required to make such capital improvements or modifications more frequently than every 5 years.
A prospective Buff City Soap franchisee should seek clarification from the franchisor regarding the specific allocation of responsibilities and costs associated with the Technology System to fully understand their financial and operational obligations.