Is a Buona franchisee required to offer gift cards and/or a loyalty program?
Buona Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
10.11 Gift Cards/Loyalty Programs. Franchisee agrees:
(a) to offer for sale gift cards and/or the loyalty program, which must be in the form and version designated by Franchisor ("Official Gift Card/Loyalty Program"), as it may be amended from time to time;
(b) not to offer for sale or give away any form of Gift Card or Loyalty Program other than the Official Gift Card/Loyalty Program;
(c) not to create Franchisee's own Gift Card or Loyalty Program;
(d) to accept and honor the Official Gift Card/Loyalty Program in exchange for product when presented for redemption at Franchisee's Store;
(e) to obtain and maintain whatever is the currently designated equipment and/or software necessary to process the authorized Gift Cards/Loyalty Program, which may be through a Mobile Application; and
(f) to comply with any policy promulgated by Franchisor regarding changes to the form and use of Gift Card/Loyalty Program, including transition periods for the phasing in of modifications to the Official Gift Card/Loyalty Program.
Source: Item 23 — RECEIPTS (FDD pages 78–356)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Buona's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, franchisees are required to offer for sale gift cards and/or a loyalty program. These must be in the form and version designated by Buona, referred to as the "Official Gift Card/Loyalty Program," which may be amended over time. Franchisees are prohibited from offering any other form of gift card or loyalty program besides the official one, and they cannot create their own.
Buona franchisees must accept and honor the Official Gift Card/Loyalty Program when presented for redemption at their store. To facilitate this, franchisees are obligated to obtain and maintain the necessary equipment and/or software to process the authorized Gift Cards/Loyalty Program, potentially through a Mobile Application.
Furthermore, franchisees must comply with any policies that Buona implements regarding changes to the form and use of the Gift Card/Loyalty Program. This includes adhering to transition periods for phasing in modifications to the Official Gift Card/Loyalty Program. This ensures uniformity and consistency across all Buona locations in terms of customer loyalty and gift card redemption processes.