What expenses related to Initial Training are the responsibility of the Buona franchisee?
Buona Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
| Type of Fee | Amount | Due Date | Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|
| Initial Training | No charge for the first attendee to the ownership training (the operating owner having at least a 10% interest); No charge for the first 5 managerial owners/employees to the initial manager training. Additional parties pay our then current tuition fee which is currently $1,500 per week. | As incurred | The cost of Initial Training (instruction and required materials) is borne by us. All other expenses, including travel, meals and lodging and your employee wages, are your responsibility. Additional owners and managers may attend the initial training program as space in available and for the current tuition fee. |
Source: Item 6 — OTHER FEES (FDD pages 16–23)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Buona's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, while the cost of initial training instruction and required materials is covered by Buona, the franchisee is responsible for all other expenses. This includes travel, meals, lodging, and employee wages for those attending the training.
For a prospective Buona franchisee, this means that while you won't have to pay tuition for the initial training of the operating owner (with at least a 10% interest) and the first five managerial owners/employees, you will need to budget for the costs associated with getting yourself and your team to the training location, feeding them, housing them, and paying their salaries while they are in training. If additional owners or managers attend the initial training program, they may do so as space is available, but will be subject to a tuition fee, currently set at $1,500 per week.
This is a fairly standard arrangement in the franchise industry. Franchisors often cover the direct costs of training, but expect franchisees to bear the indirect costs. It is important for prospective franchisees to factor in these additional expenses when evaluating the overall cost of investing in a Buona franchise.