Is a Buona franchisee required to offer catering services?
Buona Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
Franchisee shall offer and sell the following services in accordance with Franchisor's current standards, specifications and procedures as set forth in the Manuals or otherwise in writing.
- (a) Catering Services.
Franchisee shall offer catering services to customers of the Franchised Business.
In providing catering services, Franchisee shall (i) comply with all applicable health, sanitation, food handling, and food transportation requirements in connection with offering catering services, and (ii) shall purchase and maintain such vehicles, equipment and supplies necessary to offer catering services in compliance with Franchisor's standards, specifications and procedures.
Franchisee shall restrict such activities to the geographic area that Franchisor designates, which geographic area may differ from the Buona Protected Area and may be adjusted by Franchisor from time to time in its discretion.
Franchisor shall have the right to revoke Franchisee's right to offer and sell catering services if Franchisor determines in its sole discretion that Franchisee is not maintaining Franchisor's standards, specifications and procedures for catering or not complying with all applicable health, sanitation, food handling, and food transportation requirements, or if Franchisor determines in its sole discretion that offering such additional services is having an adverse impact on the quality of the operation of the Franchised Business.
- (b) Third Party Delivery Services.
Franchisee shall offer delivery to customers through Third Party Delivery Services unless such services are not available in Franchisee's market.
A "Third Party Delivery Service" as used herein shall mean a company or business through which customers purchase menu items from the Franchised Business, that delivers said menu items to the customer at a location other than the Franchised Business.
The Third Party Delivery Service typically charges the Franchisee a fee for this service which may be automatically deducted from the funds that are collected from the customer prior to disbursement of the funds by the Third Party Delivery Service to the Franchisee.
Current examples of Third Party Delivery Services include, but are not limited to GrubHub, DoorDash, UberEats, ezCater.
Franchisee shall, within seven (7) days of selling any menu items for the first time through a Third Party Delivery Service company, inform Franchisor in writing of the name of said company, and furnish Franchisor with access
Source: Item 16 — RESTRICTIONS ON WHAT THE FRANCHISEE MAY SELL (FDD page 52)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Buona's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, franchisees are generally required to offer catering services. Specifically, franchisees must offer catering services to customers of their franchised business, adhering to Buona's standards, specifications, and procedures as detailed in the manuals or other written communications. This includes complying with all applicable health, sanitation, food handling, and food transportation requirements. Franchisees are also responsible for procuring and maintaining the necessary vehicles, equipment, and supplies to meet these standards.
However, Buona franchisees must restrict their catering activities to a geographic area designated by Buona, which may differ from the franchisee's protected area and can be adjusted by Buona at its discretion. Buona retains the right to revoke a franchisee's ability to offer catering services if the franchisee fails to maintain Buona's standards, doesn't comply with health and safety requirements, or if offering catering services negatively impacts the quality of the franchised business's operations.
In addition to catering services, Buona franchisees are also required to offer third-party delivery services unless such services are unavailable in their market. Current examples of Third Party Delivery Services include, but are not limited to GrubHub, DoorDash, UberEats, ezCater. Franchisees must inform Buona in writing of the name of the Third Party Delivery Service company within seven days of selling any menu items for the first time through them.