What is the Buff City Soap franchisee's obligation regarding written updates and amendments to the Manuals?
Buff_City_Soap Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
(i) "Manuals" means Franchisor's operations and training manuals, and any other written directives related to the System, in whatever form and provided in whatever manner, as the same may be periodically amended and revised by Franchisor at it sole option, including the Standards, all bulletins, supplements and ancillary and additional manuals and directives established by Franchisor from time to time.
(mm) "Manuals" means Franchisor's operations and training manuals, and any other written directives related to the System, in whatever form and provided in whatever manner, as the same may be periodically amended and revised by Franchisor at its sole option, including the Standards, all bulletins, supplements and ancillary and additional manuals and directives established by Franchisor from time to time.
Source: Item 23 — Receipts (FDD pages 69–186)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to the 2025 Buff City Soap Franchise Disclosure Agreement, the Manuals consist of the Buff City Soap Franchising, LLC operations and training manuals, and any other written directives related to the System. These can be amended and revised periodically by Buff City Soap Franchising, LLC at its sole option. This includes the standards, all bulletins, supplements and ancillary and additional manuals and directives established by Buff City Soap Franchising, LLC from time to time.
In practical terms, this means that Buff City Soap has the right to change the rules and guidelines for operating a franchise. These changes can be communicated through various means, including updates to the operations and training manuals, bulletins, supplements, and other directives.
For a prospective franchisee, this highlights the importance of staying informed and adaptable. Franchisees must regularly review and implement any changes communicated by Buff City Soap Franchising, LLC to remain compliant with the franchise agreement. While the FDD defines what the manuals are, it does not specifically state the franchisee's obligation to written updates and amendments to the manuals. Therefore, a prospective franchisee should ask the franchisor about the specific requirements and procedures for receiving, acknowledging, and implementing updates to the manuals.