What specific examples of modifications or alterations to the Franchised Business premises are required of a Buona franchisee upon termination or expiration?
Buona Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
b) Upon the expiration or termination of either the Lease or the Franchise Agreement, Lessor will cooperate with and assist Franchisor in securing possession of the Premises and if Franchisor does not elect to take an assignment of the Lessee's interest, Lessor will allow Franchisor to enter the Premises, without being guilty of trespass and without incurring any liability to Lessor, to remove all signs and all other items identifying the Premises as a Franchised Business and to make other modifications (such as repainting) as are reasonably necessary to protect the Franchisor's marks, system, and trade dress, and to distinguish the Premises from a Franchised Business. In the event Franchisor exercises its option to purchase assets of Lessee, Lessor shall permit Franchisor to remove all the assets being purchased by Franchisor.
Source: Item 22 — CONTRACTS (FDD page 78)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Buona's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, upon the expiration or termination of either the lease or the Franchise Agreement, the franchisee (referred to as Lessee in this section) must allow Buona to enter the premises to remove all signs and other items identifying the premises as a Buona franchise. Buona is also permitted to make other modifications, such as repainting, that are reasonably necessary to protect Buona's marks, system, and trade dress, and to distinguish the premises from a Buona franchise. This ensures that the public will not confuse the location with an active Buona restaurant after the franchise agreement ends.
This requirement is fairly standard in franchising. It protects Buona's brand identity and prevents potential consumer confusion. By removing signage and altering the premises, Buona ensures that the terminated or expired location does not continue to benefit from the brand's reputation without being an active franchisee.
If Buona exercises its option to purchase the assets of the franchisee, the Lessor (property owner) must permit Buona to remove all the assets being purchased. This clause ensures Buona can take possession of purchased assets without interference from the property owner. This is contingent on Buona electing to purchase assets from the franchisee upon termination or expiration of the agreement.