factual

What specific maintenance standards does Buona require franchisees to adhere to regarding cleanliness, sanitation, and repair?

Buona Franchise · 2025 FDD

Answer from 2025 FDD Document

r will be providing administrative, billing and/or collection services with respect to any National Account, Franchisor has the right to charge Franchisee a reasonable administrative fee for such services.

X. DUTIES OF FRANCHISEE

  • 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;
  • ii. To meet and maintain the highest governmental standards and ratings applicable to the operation of the Franchised Business; and
  • iii. For the Franchised Business to be able to offer new products or services or to permit the Franchised Business to operate more efficiently.
  • (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. Nothing herein shall be deemed to limit Franchisee's other obligations during the Term to operate the Franchised Business in accordance with Franchisor's standards and specifications for the System including but not limited to the obligations set forth in this Article X.
  • 10.2 System Compliance. 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 Manuals 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. In connection therewith, Franchisee agrees as follows:

  • (a) To maintain in sufficient supply, and use at all times, only such ingredients, products, materials, supplies, and paper goods that conform to Franchisor's standards and specifications, and to refrain from deviating from such standards and specifications by using nonconforming items, without Franchisor's prior written consent, which Franchisor may withhold in its sole discretion;
  • (b) To sell or offer for sale only such products and menu items that have been expressly approved for sale in writing by Franchisor, and that meet Franchisor's uniform standards of quality and quantity and have been prepared in accordance with Franchisor's methods and techniques for product preparation; including Franchisor's recipes, cooking techniques and processes as designated in the Manuals. Franchisee shall not alter, dilute, substitute or otherwise change the quality or composition of any ingredients and materials. Franchisee acknowledges that such recipes, cooking techniques and processes are integral to the System and failure to adhere to such recipes, cooking techniques and processes (including the handling and storage of both ingredients and fully prepared menu items) shall be detrimental to the System and Marks;
  • (c) To sell or offer for sale the minimum menu items specified in the Manuals or otherwise in writing;
  • (d) To refrain from any deviation from Franchisor's standards and specifications for preparing, serving or selling the menu items, without Franchisor's prior written consent, which Franchisor may withhold in its sole discretion;

Source: Item 23 — RECEIPTS (FDD pages 78–356)

What This Means (2025 FDD)

According to Buona's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, franchisees must maintain the premises to meet Buona's standards. Buona requires franchisees to keep the franchised business in the highest degree of cleanliness, sanitation, and repair. This includes periodic repainting, repairs or replacement of damaged or obsolete furniture, fixtures and equipment, and replacement of obsolete signs, as Buona may reasonably direct. Franchisees must also meet and maintain the highest governmental standards and ratings applicable to the operation of the franchised business.

Buona also requires franchisees to complete a full reimaging, renovation, refurbish, and modernization of the franchised business within a timeframe required 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, to meet the then-current design criteria for Buona Businesses. However, franchisees are only 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 year remaining in the Term.

To ensure uniformity, Buona 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. Franchisees must operate the Franchised Business in strict conformity with such uniform methods, standards and specifications as Buona may from time to time prescribe in the Manual or otherwise in writing to ensure that the highest degree of quality, service and cleanliness is uniformly maintained. Franchisees must purchase all fixtures, furniture, signs, equipment, and other equipment, materials, products and supplies, and certain services, including but not limited to design and architectural services, from distributors and suppliers that Buona has designated or approved and/or that conform to Buona's specifications and standards.

Disclaimer: This information is extracted from the 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document and is provided for research purposes only. It does not constitute legal or financial advice. Consult with a franchise attorney before making any investment decisions.