Under what conditions can Buona require an Operating Owner to attend additional training?
Buona Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
y of Franchisee. Additional owners and managers may attend the initial training program as space is available and for the current tuition fee. The initial training program will be furnished at Franchisor's offices or other locations designated by Franchisor.
If, during the initial training program, Franchisor determines, in its sole discretion, that Franchisee's Operating Owner did not successfully complete the initial training, Franchisee has the right to require the Operating Owner to attend and successfully complete additional training or to require a different owner to be designated Operating Owner to attend and successfully complete training, and/or Franchisor has the right to terminate this Agreement, effective upon delivery of written notice thereof to Franchisee. If Franchisee is terminated by Franchisor for failure to successfully complete the initial owner training, Franchisor agrees to refund ten percent (10%) of the initial franchise fee paid upon Franchisee's execution and delivery to Franchisor of a termination agreement and general release of all claims in a form satisfactory to Franchisor
If during any training program, Franchisor determines, in its sole discretion, that any proposed manager is not qualified to manage the Franchised Business, Franchisor will notify Franchisee of that determination and Franchisee must then select and enroll a substitute manager in such training program, and such substitute manager must attend and successfully complete the initial training program. If Franchisee desires to have additional managers trained by Franchisors, Franchisor will make this opportunity available to Franchisee provided training space is available in a regularly scheduled class. For each such additional manager, Franchisee will pay the thencurrent fee for this additional training.
- 8.3 On-Site Opening Assistance. One or more of Franchisor's representatives will provide on-site training and opening assistance to Franchisee and Franchisee's managers and employees prior to and immediately following the date of the opening of the Franchised Business. The length of the on-site training will be as Franchisor deems necessary for the proper opening and initial period of operation of the Franchised Business. Franchisee will pay an on-site training fee in the amount of the then-current daily fee for each of Franchisor's representatives that provide the on-site training plus the travel expenses incurred by Franchisor's representative in conducting the on-site training. Franchisee will pay a non-refundable on-site training fee deposit in the amount of Twenty Thousand Dollars ($20,000.00) upon the execution of this Agreement. The balance of the training fee shall be paid upon completion of the on-site training as determined by Franchisor and it is non-refundable.
Source: Item 23 — RECEIPTS (FDD pages 78–356)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Buona's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, there are several circumstances under which Buona may require an Operating Owner to attend additional training. If, during the initial training program, Buona determines that the Operating Owner did not successfully complete the initial training, Buona has the right to require the Operating Owner to attend and successfully complete additional training. Buona can also mandate attendance at supplemental training, seminars, regional franchise meetings, or webinars, for up to five days each calendar year. Buona may charge a tuition fee for these events, and the franchisee is responsible for all expenses incurred by the owners or managers attending.
Buona also reserves the right to hold national, regional, or local conferences for franchisees to discuss updates to products, services, methods, operational standards, policies, procedures, and marketing and advertising. Franchisee's owners may be required to attend any conference that Buona deems mandatory. If an owner fails to attend a mandatory conference, the franchisee remains obligated to pay the Conference Registration Fee, and any costs associated with attending such conferences are borne solely by the franchisee.
In addition to mandatory training, a franchisee may request additional initial or ongoing training beyond what is normally provided, which Buona may provide at its sole discretion. If Buona provides this additional training, the franchisee will pay Buona's then-current training fees, plus any travel and living expenses incurred by Buona's representative if travel to the franchisee's location is necessary. Furthermore, to renew the franchise agreement, the franchisee and its managers must comply with Buona's then-current training requirements and attend refresher training classes as Buona deems necessary.