Are employees of a Buona Franchised Business considered employees of the Franchisor?
Buona Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
- 5.4 Franchisee's Business Name.
Franchisee acknowledges that between Franchisor and Franchisee, Franchisor has a prior and superior claim to the "Buona" trade name.
Franchisee shall not use the words "Buona" or any combination thereof, in the legal name of its corporation, limited liability company, partnership, or any other business entity used in conducting the Franchised Business.
Franchisee also agrees not to register or attempt to register a trade name using the words "Buona" in Franchisee's name or that of any other person or business entity, without the prior written consent of Franchisor.
Franchisee shall not identify itself as being "Buona" or as being associated with Franchisor or its Affiliates in any manner other than as a franchisee or licensee.
Franchisee shall, in all advertising and promotion and promotional materials, display its business name only in obvious conjunction with the phrase "an independent Buona Licensee" or "an independent Buona Franchisee" or with other words and in other phrases so as to identify itself as an independent owner of the Franchised Business, or as otherwise may be required in the Manual.
Source: Item 23 — RECEIPTS (FDD pages 78–356)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
Based on the 2025 Buona Franchise Disclosure Document, it appears the document does not explicitly state whether employees of a Buona franchise are considered employees of the franchisor. However, the FDD does state that the franchisee operates as an independent entity.
Item 5.4 states that the franchisee must identify itself as an independent owner of the franchised business. This suggests that the franchisee is responsible for managing their own employees.
To clarify the relationship between the franchisor and the franchisee's employees, a prospective Buona franchisee should seek explicit confirmation from the franchisor regarding the legal status of franchise employees. This confirmation should clarify liability and responsibility for employment-related matters.