Besides the operating owner, what other personnel are required to attend and satisfactorily complete initial training for a Buona franchise?
Buona Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
Prior to opening the Buona Business, an operating owner having at least 10% ownership in the franchisee entity must attend and complete, to our satisfaction, our initial training program for owners and managers. A general manager and at least two assistant managers must attend and satisfactorily complete initial training with your owner. All personal expenses, including without limitation travel, food and lodging costs, incurred by your owners and managers will be paid by you. Neither your owners nor your employees will receive any compensation from us for services performed during training.
We provide our initial training program to you to protect the System, the Marks and our goodwill, not to control the day-to-day operations of your Buona Business. Initial training will be conducted a minimum of 5 times a year as necessary for new franchisees. Training must be completed 30 days prior to the opening of your Buona Business.
The training materials include online instruction and information and the Manual.
Currently the initial training is conducted by the following individuals who are employed by our affiliates:
- Steve Felson, Senior Vice President, Franchise Operations for The Buona Companies, L.L.C.
- o Mr. Felson has been Senior Vice President, Franchise Operations since January 2024. He has 41 years of prior experience in franchise operations and training.
- John Westland, Director of Franchise Operations for The Buona Companies, L.L.C
- o Mr. Westland has been Director of Franchise Operations since March 2024. He has 41 years of prior experience in franchise operations.
- Joseph Buonavolanto III
- o Mr. Buonavolanto is currently our Executive Vice President and served our affiliate for 15 years as General Manager, Area Coach, and Director of Training.
- Samantha Klecyngier, Director of Curriculum for The Buona Companies, L.L.C
- o Ms. Klecyngier has been Director of Curriculum since 2024. She has 10 years of previous field training experience with franchise systems.
- Jenifer Navarro
- o Ms. Navarro has been a Learning and Development specialist for The Buona Companies L.L.C. since 2021. She has been a crucial part in the development of the training tools for Buona Beef and its affiliates. She is tasked with maintaining the e-learning modules and in-store compliance for Buona Beef.
Source: Item 11 — FRANCHISOR'S ASSISTANCE, ADVERTISING, COMPUTER SYSTEMS, AND TRAINING (FDD pages 37–46)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Buona's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, in addition to an operating owner with at least 10% ownership in the franchisee entity, a general manager and at least two assistant managers must attend and satisfactorily complete the initial training program. This training is mandatory for these key personnel.
The initial training is designed to protect Buona's system, marks, and goodwill. It is scheduled a minimum of 5 times per year as needed for new franchisees. The training must be completed at least 30 days before the Buona Business opens.
The franchisee is responsible for covering all personal expenses, including travel, food, and lodging, for the owner and managers attending the training. Neither the owners nor the employees receive compensation from Buona for their time during the training period. If a manager fails to complete the training program successfully or is deemed unqualified, Buona requires the franchisee to replace them. Failure of the designated owner to successfully complete the initial training gives Buona the right to terminate the Franchise Agreement.