Is the Buff City Soap General Manager required to be one of the franchisee's owners?
Buff_City_Soap Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
At least 60 days prior to the Opening Date, Franchisee must designate and retain at all times a General Manager qualified to manage the Makery in accordance with the Standards including but not limited to completion of the Initial Training for General Managers set forth in the Manuals to Franchisor's satisfaction as described in Section 6.
The General Manager will execute the Confidentiality and Non-Disclosure Agreement attached hereto as Exhibit C and report to the Operator.
If, during the Term of this Agreement, the General Manager is not able to continue to serve in such capacity or no longer qualifies to act as such in accordance with this Section 13(a), Franchisee must promptly notify Franchisor in writing and designate a replacement within 30 days after the General Manager ceases to serve, such replacement being subject to the same qualifications described above.
Franchisee must provide for interim management of the Makery until such replacement is so designated, such interim supervision to be conducted in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.
Any failure to comply with the requirements of this Section 13(a) will be deemed an Event of Default under this Agreement.
- (b) Operator.
Concurrently with the execution of this Agreement, Franchisee must designate and retain at all imes an Operator who will manage the Makery in accordance with the Standards including but not limited to completion of Initial Training to Franchisor's satisfaction, as described in Section 6.
The Operator will execute the Operator's Confidentiality and Non-Compete Agreement attached to this Agreement as Exhibit D.
The Operator will supervise the General Manager and the operations of the Makery.
The Operator may not be involved in or supervise any other business or retail establishment concept outside of Buff City Soap makeries.
If, during the Term of this Agreement, the Operator is not able to continue to serve in such capacity or no longer qualifies to act as such in accordance with this Section 13(b), Franchisee must promptly notify Franchisor in writing and designate a replacement within 30 days after the Operator ceases to serve, such replacement being subject to the same qualifications described above.
Franchisee must provide for interim management of all Makeries owned by Franchisee that the Operator supervised until such replacement is so designated, such interim supervision to be conducted in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.
Any failure to comply with the requirements of this Section 13(b) will be deemed an Event of Default under this Agreement.
Source: Item 15 — OBLIGATION TO PARTICIPATE IN THE ACTUAL OPERATION OF THE FRANCHISE BUSINESS (FDD page 49)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Buff City Soap's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, the General Manager is not required to be one of the franchisee's owners. The franchisee must designate and retain a General Manager who is qualified to manage the Makery according to Buff City Soap's standards. This individual must complete the initial training program and execute a Confidentiality and Non-Disclosure Agreement. The General Manager reports to the Operator.
If the General Manager can no longer fulfill their duties, the franchisee must notify Buff City Soap and designate a replacement within 30 days, ensuring interim management is in place until the new General Manager is appointed. Failure to comply with these requirements constitutes an event of default under the Franchise Agreement.
Buff City Soap also requires the franchisee to designate an Operator who manages the Makery according to their standards, completes initial training, and executes a Confidentiality and Non-Compete Agreement. The Operator supervises the General Manager and the Makery's operations and cannot be involved in any other business or retail establishment outside of Buff City Soap. Similar to the General Manager role, a replacement must be designated within 30 days if the Operator can no longer serve, with interim management provided in the meantime. The FDD does not state that the Operator must be an owner of the franchise.