What are the consequences if a Buona franchisee fails to maintain and operate their franchised business in compliance with the agreement, system, and manual, specifically regarding required renovations?
Buona Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer 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, franchisees must maintain and renovate their franchised business to meet Buona's standards. Buona requires franchisees to maintain the premises and all fixtures, furnishings, signs, systems, and equipment to conform with Buona's high standards and public image. This includes making necessary additions, alterations, improvements, repairs, and replacements as required by Buona. Franchisees must keep the business clean, sanitary, and in good repair, including repainting, repairing or replacing damaged or obsolete items, and replacing obsolete signs as directed by Buona. They must also meet and maintain the highest governmental standards and ratings applicable to the business and ensure the business can offer new products or services or operate more efficiently.
Buona also requires franchisees to complete a full reimaging, renovation, refurbishment, and modernization of the franchised business within a timeframe specified by Buona. This includes 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 materials. These renovations must meet the then-current design criteria for Buona businesses, including structural changes, remodeling, and redecoration. A franchisee is only required to conduct such a renovation once during the term of the agreement, and is not required to do so if there is less than one year remaining in the term.
Failure to comply with these maintenance and renovation standards can have significant consequences. While the FDD excerpts provided do not explicitly detail the penalties for failing to maintain or renovate the business as required, it is implied that non-compliance would constitute a breach of the franchise agreement. Franchisees are obligated to operate in strict conformity with the methods, standards, and specifications prescribed in the Manual or in writing by Buona. Deviation from these standards or any operation that reflects adversely on Buona's name and goodwill or on the Marks or the System is prohibited. Prospective franchisees should carefully review the franchise agreement and Manual to understand the specific consequences of non-compliance, which may include monetary penalties, loss of renewal rights, or termination of the franchise agreement.