Is a Buona franchisee required to maintain a clean and attractive appearance?
Buona Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
Franchisor will continue its reasonable efforts to assist Buona Businesses in maintaining high and uniform standards of quality, cleanliness, appearance and service, to protect and enhance the reputation of the System and the demand for the products and services of the System.
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 Manual 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.
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;
- (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.
Source: Item 23 — RECEIPTS (FDD pages 78–356)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Buona's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, maintaining high standards of quality, cleanliness, appearance, and service is crucial for protecting the reputation of the Buona system. Buona franchisees must operate their franchised business in strict compliance with the uniform methods, standards, and specifications that Buona prescribes in its manual or in writing. This ensures that the highest degree of quality, service, and cleanliness is consistently maintained. Franchisees must avoid any deviations from these standards and specifications and must not operate in any manner that reflects negatively on Buona's name, goodwill, marks, or the system itself.
Buona franchisees are responsible for maintaining the premises of their franchised business, including all fixtures, furnishings, signs, systems, and equipment, in accordance with Buona's high standards and public image. This maintenance is at the franchisee's expense. Franchisees must also make any additions, alterations, improvements, repairs, and replacements required by Buona from time to time. This includes keeping the franchised business in the highest degree of cleanliness, sanitation, and repair, as well as repainting, repairing, or replacing damaged or obsolete furniture, fixtures, and equipment, and replacing obsolete signs, as Buona may reasonably direct.
Furthermore, Buona 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 products and materials. The purpose is to meet the then-current design criteria for Buona businesses, including structural changes, remodeling, and redecoration, as well as modifications to existing improvements. However, a franchisee is only required to conduct such a renovation once during the term of the agreement, and not if there is less than one year remaining in the term.