What is the range of the initial franchise fee for a Buona franchise, and when is it due?
Buona Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
ay not be refundable depending on their policies or your arrangements with them.
- (1) Initial Franchise Fee Your Initial Franchise Fee is $40,000 and is payable in full when you sign the Franchise Agreement. The Initial Franchise Fee is non-refundable, except if we terminate your Franchise Agreement for your failure to successfully complete initial training in which case we will refund 10% of the Initial Franchise Fee paid upon delivery to us of an executed release. If you are signing a Dual Brand Franchise Agreement, you will pay us the $40,000 initial franchise fee and you will pay our a
Source: Item 7 — ESTIMATED INITIAL INVESTMENT (FDD pages 23–32)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Buona's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, the initial franchise fee for a Buona franchise is $40,000. This fee is payable in full when the Franchise Agreement is signed. For franchisees signing a Dual Brand Franchise Agreement, they will pay Buona the $40,000 initial franchise fee and also pay Buona's affiliate, Five Flavors, an initial franchise fee of $20,000 for a Rainbow Express.
This initial franchise fee is generally non-refundable. However, there is an exception: if Buona terminates the Franchise Agreement because the franchisee fails to successfully complete the initial training, Buona will refund 10% of the initial franchise fee. This refund is contingent upon the franchisee delivering an executed release to Buona.
Prospective franchisees should note that the initial franchise fee is just one component of the overall initial investment. Other costs, such as design and architect fees, lease deposits, rent, and leasehold improvements, must also be considered. These additional costs can vary significantly depending on factors like the location and size of the premises.