Is there a tuition fee for attending additional training programs, meetings, or webinars specified by Buona?
Buona Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
Your designated owner and/or managers of your Buona Business may be required by us to attend additional training programs, meetings, and webinars that we specify for up to 10 days each calendar year. We may charge a tuition fee for attendance at such training, meeting or webinars. You will be responsible for all costs or expenses associated with your owner's and/or managers' attendance at such training programs, meetings and webinars.
We may hold and require all franchisees to attend national, regional or local conferences for Buona franchisees to discuss updates to products, services, methods, operational standards, policies and procedures, and marketing and advertising. If we hold such conferences, your designated owner may be required to attend up to 4 days each calendar year. We may charge you a fee to attend the conference ("Conference Registration Fee"). If your owner fails to attend any conference held during the term of this Agreement for which attendance is mandatory, you remain obligated to pay the Conference Registration Fee. Any costs or expenses associated with your owner's attendance at such conferences will be your responsibility.
You may request and we may provide additional initial or ongoing training beyond the amount normally provided to franchisees for our then-current training fees, plus any travel and living expenses incurred by our representative if travel to your restaurant is necessary to conduct the additional training.
Source: Item 11 — FRANCHISOR'S ASSISTANCE, ADVERTISING, COMPUTER SYSTEMS, AND TRAINING (FDD pages 37–46)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Buona's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, Buona may require designated owners and/or managers to attend additional training programs, meetings, and webinars for up to 10 days each calendar year. Buona retains the right to charge a tuition fee for attendance at these events. The franchisee is responsible for covering all costs and expenses associated with their owners' and/or managers' attendance at these programs.
Buona may also hold national, regional, or local conferences for franchisees to discuss updates to products, services, methods, operational standards, policies, procedures, marketing, and advertising. If these conferences are held, the designated owner may be required to attend for up to 4 days each calendar year. Buona may charge a Conference Registration Fee for these conferences, and if attendance is mandatory, the franchisee is obligated to pay the fee even if the owner fails to attend. The franchisee is also responsible for all costs and expenses associated with the owner's attendance at these conferences.
In addition to the above, franchisees may request additional initial or ongoing training beyond what is normally provided. Buona may provide this additional training for their then-current training fees, plus any travel and living expenses incurred by Buona's representative if travel to the franchisee's restaurant is necessary.