What is the consequence if a Buona franchisee fails to maintain a clean and attractive appearance?
Buona Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
s 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. In connection therewith, Franchisee agrees as follows:
- (a) To maintain in sufficient supply, and use at all times, only such ingredients, products, materials, supplies, and paper goods that conform to Franchisor's standards and specifications, and to refrain from deviating from such standards and specifications by using nonconforming items, without Franchisor's prior written consent, which Franchisor may withhold in its sole discretion;
- (b) To sell or offer for sale only such products and menu items that have been expressly approved for sale in writing by Franchisor, and that meet Franchisor's uniform standards of quality and quantity and have been prepared in accordance with Franchisor's methods and techniques for product preparation; including Franchisor's recipes, cooking techniques and processes as designated in the Manuals. Franchisee shall not alter, dilute, substitute or otherwise change the quality or composition of any ingredients and materials.
Source: Item 22 — CONTRACTS (FDD page 78)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Buona's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, maintaining the premises of the franchised business is critical. Buona requires franchisees to keep their locations in line with the franchisor's high standards and public image. This includes maintaining cleanliness, sanitation, and repair, as well as completing renovations as required by Buona.
Specifically, franchisees must keep the business in the highest degree of cleanliness and repair, meet governmental standards, and make changes to offer new products or improve efficiency. Franchisees must also complete a full renovation of the franchised business when required by Buona, including updates to the building design, parking lot, landscaping, equipment, point of sale system, signs, and decor. This renovation is only required once during the term, unless there is less than one year remaining in the term.
If a Buona franchisee fails to maintain and operate their franchised business in compliance with the agreement, system, and manual, Buona can terminate the agreement if the franchisee does not correct the issue within 30 days of written notice. Furthermore, a default under the franchise agreement is considered a default across all agreements between the franchisee and Buona, potentially leading to the termination of all agreements at Buona's discretion.