What articles in the Buona Franchise Agreement outline the initial and ongoing training requirements?
Buona Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
Franchisor may from time to time provide, and may require, that Franchisee, its owners and/or managers attend and successfully complete supplemental training, seminars, regional franchise meetings or webinars to be conducted at times and locations designated by Franchisor.
Franchisor may require attendance at such training, seminars and meetings for up to five (5) days each calendar year.
Franchisor may charge a tuition fee for any such training, seminars, meetings or webinars and Franchisee will be responsible for all expenses incurred by Franchisee's owners and/or managers in attending these programs.
- 8.5 Conferences and Conventions.
Franchisor reserves the right to hold and require all franchisees to attend national, regional or local conferences for Buona franchisees to discuss updates to products, services, methods, operational standards, policies and procedures, and marketing and advertising.
If Franchisor holds such conferences, Franchisee's owner(s) may be required to attend any conference for which Franchisor determines attendance is mandatory.
Franchisor may charge Franchisee a fee to attend the conference ("Conference Registration Fee").
If Franchisor's owner(s) fail to attend any conference held during the term of this Agreement for which attendance is mandatory, Franchisee remains obligated to pay the Conference Registration Fee.
Any costs or expenses associated with Franchisee's owner(s)'s attendance of such conferences will be borne solely by Franchisee.
- 8.6 Additional Training.
Franchisee may request and Franchisor may, in its sole discretion, provide additional initial or ongoing training beyond the amount normally provided to franchisees ("Additional Training").
Source: Item 9 — FRANCHISEE'S OBLIGATIONS (FDD pages 34–37)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Buona's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, several sections within the Franchise Agreement address training requirements. Section 8.4, titled 'Supplemental Education', allows Buona to require franchisees, owners, and managers to attend supplemental training, seminars, regional franchise meetings, or webinars, potentially for up to five days each year. Buona may charge tuition fees for these programs, and the franchisee is responsible for all related expenses. Section 8.5 discusses 'Conferences and Conventions,' where Buona can mandate attendance at national, regional, or local conferences to discuss updates to the brand. A 'Conference Registration Fee' may be charged, and failure to attend mandatory conferences still obligates the franchisee to pay this fee. Section 8.6 addresses 'Additional Training,' stating that franchisees can request additional initial or ongoing training, which Buona may provide at its discretion.
Item 11 of the FDD also references specific sections of the Franchise Agreement related to training. Specifically, it mentions that Section 8.4, 8.5 and 8.6 of the Franchise Agreement cover additional training, seminars, meetings, webinars, and conferences that Buona may provide for franchisees and managers. These sections outline Buona's right to offer and require attendance at various training events to keep franchisees updated on products, services, operational standards, and marketing strategies.
In practical terms, these clauses grant Buona significant control over the training and development of its franchisees and their staff. A prospective franchisee should be prepared to invest time and money in ongoing training programs and conferences as directed by Buona. The franchisee bears the financial responsibility for tuition fees, registration fees, travel, and lodging expenses associated with these training events. Furthermore, mandatory attendance at conferences means that the franchisee must factor these events into their operational schedule and budget. Failure to comply with these training requirements could potentially lead to a breach of the Franchise Agreement.