factual

Who bears the cost of additions, alterations, improvements, repairs, and replacements required by the franchisor for a Buona franchise?

Buona Franchise · 2025 FDD

Answer from 2025 FDD Document

r will be providing administrative, billing and/or collection services with respect to any National Account, Franchisor has the right to charge Franchisee a reasonable administrative fee for such services.

X. DUTIES OF FRANCHISEE

  • 10.1 Maintenance and Renovation of the Franchised Business. Franchisee understands and acknowledges that every detail of the System is important to Franchisor, Franchisee and other franchisees so as to develop and maintain high and uniform operating standards, to increase the demand for Buona products and services and to protect the reputation and goodwill of Franchisor, the System and the Marks. Accordingly, Franchisee agrees that:
  • (a) Franchisee shall maintain, at all times during the Term, at Franchisee's expense, the premises of the Franchised Business and all fixtures, furnishings, signs, systems and equipment, in conformity with Franchisor's high standards and public image and to make such additions, alterations, improvements, repairs, and replacements (but no others, without Franchisor's prior written consent) as may be required by Franchisor from time to time, including but not limited to the following, at Franchisee's sole cost and expense:
  • i. To keep the Franchised Business in the highest degree of cleanliness, sanitation and repair, including but not limited to such periodic repainting, repairs or replacement of damaged or obsolete, furniture, fixtures and equipment, and replacement of obsolete signs, as Franchisor may reasonably direct;
  • ii. To meet and maintain the highest governmental standards and ratings applicable to the operation of the Franchised Business; and
  • iii. For the Franchised Business to be able to offer new products or services or to permit the Franchised Business to operate more efficiently.
  • (b) In addition to the maintenance described in (a) above, Franchisee must complete a full reimaging, renovation, refurbish and modernization of the Franchised Business, within the time frame required by Franchisor, including the building design, parking lot, landscaping, equipment, point of sale system, signs, interior and exterior decor items, fixtures, furnishings, trade dress, color scheme, presentation of trademarks and service marks, supplies and other products and materials, to meet the then-current design criteria for Buona Businesses, including but not limited to such structural changes, remodeling and redecoration and such modifications to existing improvements as may be necessary to do so (a "Franchised Business Renovation"). Franchisee shall only be required to conduct a Franchised Business Renovation once during the Term and shall not be required to perform a Franchised Business Renovation if there is less than one (1) year remaining in the Term. Nothing herein shall be deemed to limit Franchisee's other obligations during the Term to operate the Franchised Business in accordance with Franchisor's standards and specifications for the System including but not limited to the obligations set forth in this Article X.
  • 10.2 System Compliance. Franchisee shall operate the Franchised Business in strict conformity with such uniform methods, standards and specifications as Franchisor may from time to

time prescribe in the Manuals or otherwise in writing to insure that the highest degree of quality, service and cleanliness is uniformly maintained, and Franchisee shall refrain from any deviation from such methods, standards and specifications, and shall refrain from otherwise operating in any manner which reflects adversely on Franchisor's name and goodwill or on the Marks or the System.

Source: Item 23 — RECEIPTS (FDD pages 78–356)

What This Means (2025 FDD)

According to Buona's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, the franchisee is responsible for covering the expenses related to maintaining and renovating the franchised business. This includes all costs associated with additions, alterations, improvements, repairs, and replacements required by Buona. The franchisee must maintain the premises and all fixtures, furnishings, signs, systems, and equipment to meet Buona's standards and public image.

This obligation ensures that all Buona locations maintain a consistent and high standard of operation, which protects the brand's reputation and goodwill. The franchisee's responsibilities extend to periodic repainting, repairs or replacement of damaged or obsolete furniture, fixtures, and equipment, as well as the replacement of obsolete signs, as directed by Buona. Additionally, the franchisee must meet and maintain the highest governmental standards applicable to the operation of the franchised business.

Furthermore, the franchisee is responsible for the costs associated with renovations and modernizations of the franchised business. This includes remodeling, reimaging, renovating, refurbishing, and modernizing the business to meet Buona's current standards for building design, parking lot, landscaping, equipment, point of sale system, signs, interior and exterior decor items, fixtures, furnishings, equipment, trade dress, color scheme, and presentation of trademarks and service marks. These renovations must typically be completed within six months after the execution of the current franchise agreement.

Buona requires these renovations to occur only once during the term of the franchise agreement, provided there is more than one year remaining in the term. This requirement ensures that the Buona franchise remains current and competitive, but it also represents a significant financial obligation for the franchisee. Franchisees should carefully consider these potential costs when evaluating the Buona franchise opportunity.

Disclaimer: This information is extracted from the 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document and is provided for research purposes only. It does not constitute legal or financial advice. Consult with a franchise attorney before making any investment decisions.