Does the Buona Franchise Acknowledgement Questionnaire ask if an independent investigation of a Buona Business has been conducted?
Buona Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
| l. | Yes | No | Have you received the completed Franchise Agreement and each exhibit attached to it? |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2. | Yes | No | Have you received the Franchise Disclosure Document we provided? |
| 3. | Yes | No | If you are purchasing a Buona/Rainbow Cone Dual Brand franchise, did you also receive the Five Flavors Franchising, LLC Franchise Disclosure Document? |
| 4. | Yes | No | Did you sign a receipt for the Franchise Disclosure Document (or both of them) indicating the date you received it? |
| 5. | Yes | No | Did the receipt for the Franchise Disclosure Document identify the franchise sellers with which you have had discussions about the franchise opportunity? |
| 6. | Yes | No | If you are entering into an Area Development Agreement, have you received the completed Area Development Agreement and each exhibit? |
| 7. | Yes | No | Have you spoken with existing Buona franchisees about the Buona Business? |
| 8. | Yes | No | Have you conducted an independent investigation of a Buona Business? |
Source: Item 22 — CONTRACTS (FDD page 78)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Buona's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, the Franchise Acknowledgement Questionnaire does indeed ask prospective franchisees whether they have conducted an independent investigation of a Buona Business. Specifically, question 8 on the questionnaire asks: "Have you conducted an independent investigation of a Buona Business?" Franchisees are required to answer either "Yes" or "No" to this question, indicating whether or not they have undertaken such an investigation.
This question is important because it encourages franchisees to perform their own due diligence before investing in a Buona franchise. By conducting an independent investigation, potential franchisees can gain a better understanding of the business, its potential risks and rewards, and whether it aligns with their personal and financial goals. This process typically involves speaking with existing franchisees, reviewing financial statements, and analyzing market data.
The inclusion of this question in the Franchise Acknowledgement Questionnaire suggests that Buona emphasizes the importance of informed decision-making on the part of its franchisees. It also serves as a reminder to franchisees that their success depends largely on their own efforts and business acumen, as well as factors beyond the franchisor's control. By acknowledging that they have conducted an independent investigation, franchisees demonstrate that they have taken the necessary steps to assess the opportunity and are prepared to assume the risks associated with owning a franchise.
It is worth noting that the questionnaire also provides space for franchisees to explain any negative responses. Therefore, if a franchisee answers "No" to the question about conducting an independent investigation, they are required to provide an explanation. This allows Buona to understand why the franchisee did not conduct an investigation and address any concerns or questions they may have. However, the FDD also states that prospective franchisees in California should not complete the questionnaire.