Who bears the cost of instruction and required materials for Buona's initial training program?
Buona Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
- 8.2 Initial Training. The Operating Owner and three (3) managers must attend and successfully complete Franchisor's initial training program, including virtual pre-training to be completed prior to attending the in-person initial training program. The length of training will be determined at Franchisor's discretion and may be dependent upon the prior experience of the attendees. The cost of Initial Training for both the Operating Owner and managers (instruction and required materials) is borne by Franchisor. All other expenses, including travel, meals and lodging and Franchisee's employee wages, are the responsibility of Franchisee. Additional owners and managers may attend the initial training program as space is available and for the current tuition fee.
Source: Item 23 — RECEIPTS (FDD pages 78–356)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Buona's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, Buona covers the cost of instruction and required materials for its initial training program for the Operating Owner and three managers. However, the franchisee is responsible for all other expenses, including travel, meals, lodging, and employee wages, incurred during the training. Additional owners and managers may attend the initial training program as space is available and for the current tuition fee.
This means that while Buona provides the core training resources, franchisees need to budget for significant additional costs to cover logistics and personnel. This is a fairly standard arrangement in the franchise industry, where the franchisor provides the training expertise, and the franchisee covers the practical expenses of attending.
If Buona determines that the Operating Owner did not successfully complete the initial training, Buona has the right to require the Operating Owner to attend and successfully complete additional training or to require a different owner to be designated Operating Owner to attend and successfully complete training, and/or Buona has the right to terminate the Agreement. If the franchisee is terminated by Buona for failure to successfully complete the initial owner training, Buona agrees to refund ten percent (10%) of the initial franchise fee paid upon the franchisee's execution and delivery to Buona of a termination agreement and general release of all claims in a form satisfactory to Buona. If any proposed manager is not qualified to manage the Franchised Business, the franchisee must select and enroll a substitute manager in such training program, and such substitute manager must attend and successfully complete the initial training program. For each such additional manager, the franchisee will pay the then-current fee for this additional training.
Prospective franchisees should carefully consider these additional costs when evaluating the overall investment required to start a Buona franchise. It is also important to note that the length of training will be determined at Buona's discretion and may be dependent upon the prior experience of the attendees.