What are some examples of expenses and obligations, not addressed in the Buona Franchise Agreement, that a franchisee may incur?
Buona Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
-site training fee deposit in the amount of Twenty Thousand Dollars ($20,000.00) upon the execution of this Agreement. The balance of the training fee shall be paid upon completion of the on-site training as determined by Franchisor and it is non-refundable.
- 8.4 Supplemental Education**.** Franchisor may from time to time provide, and may require, that Franchisee, its owners and/or managers attend and successfully complete supplemental training, seminars, regional franchise meetings or webinars to be conducted at times and locations designated by Franchisor. Franchisor may require attendance at such training, seminars and meetings for up to five (5) days each calendar
year. Franchisor may charge a tuition fee for any such training, seminars, meetings or webinars and Franchisee will be responsible for all expenses incurred by Franchisee's owners and/or managers in attending these programs.
- 8.5 Conferences and Conventions. Franchisor reserves the right to hold and require all franchisees to attend national, regional or local conferences for franchisees of both or either Franchisor to discuss updates to products, services, methods, operational standards, policies and procedures, and marketing and advertising. If Franchisor holds such conferences, Franchisee's owner(s) may be required to attend any conference for which Franchisor determines attendance is mandatory. Franchisor may charge Franchisee a fee to attend the conference ("Conference Registration Fee"). If Franchisor's owner(s) fail to attend any conference held during the term of this Agreement for which attendance is mandatory, Franchisee remains obligated to pay the Conference Registration Fee. Any costs or expenses associated with Franchisee's owner(s)'s attendance of such conferences will be borne solely by Franchisee.
- 8.6 Additional Training. Franchisee may request and Franchisor may, in its sole discretion, provide additional initial or ongoing training beyond the amount normally provided to franchisees ("Additional Training").
Source: Item 23 — RECEIPTS (FDD pages 78–356)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Buona's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, franchisees may incur several expenses and obligations beyond those explicitly detailed in the Franchise Agreement. These include costs related to supplemental education, conferences, and adhering to system standards.
Buona franchisees may be required to attend supplemental training, seminars, regional franchise meetings, or webinars, potentially incurring tuition fees and travel expenses for owners and managers. Additionally, attendance at national, regional, or local conferences may be mandatory, with franchisees responsible for conference registration fees and associated travel costs. Failure to attend mandatory conferences does not relieve the franchisee of the obligation to pay the Conference Registration Fee.
Franchisees are also responsible for expenses related to adapting standard plans and specifications to local laws, regulations, or ordinances, including the cost of qualified architectural and engineering services. Furthermore, franchisees must comply with Buona's standards, policies, and procedures for participating in the National Accounts Program and meet the specific requirements of each National Account they service. These obligations ensure uniformity and quality across all Buona businesses, but they also represent potentially significant additional costs for the franchisee.