What are some of the franchisee's obligations prior to opening a Burneys Sweets More business?
Burneys_Sweets_More Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
You (or if you are a corporate entity, one of your principals) must attend our initial training. If we approve your Shop to operate with an Operations Manager, at least the Operations Manager plus another manager must successfully complete the training program, unless we waive this requirement with respect to him or her. Other managers may attend, but you will be required to pay us for the attendance of any employees beyond your Operations Manager and you. We plan to conduct the training program on an as-needed basis. Initial training is conducted at our Elizabethtown, North Carolina location, and it generally spans a one-week period. You or a principal, and, if applicable, your Operations Manager, must complete the training program to our satisfaction before we will authorize you to open your Shop.
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- Consultation Services. We are not required to provide you other supervision, assistance or services prior to the opening of your Shop. (Franchise Agreement Section 4.) However, if requested, we will advise on additional topics related to the opening of your Shop.
We do not deliver or install these items. You will be responsible for ordering and handling the costs of such items. (Franchise Agreement Section 4(a)(ii) – (iii))
At any time that you or any of your affiliates are in breach of the obligations under the Franchise Agreement, or any other agreement with us or any of our affiliates, we or our affiliate may defer the performance of our obligations under the Franchise Agreement (for example, our obligation to accept your site in a timely manner) or such other agreement, or defer the opening of your Shop, until you (or your affiliate's) breach has been cured.
You must also spend at least $500 before or within the first 3 months after opening your Shop to promote the grand opening of your Shop. Any amount you spend toward your grand opening will count toward your 1% local advertising requirement.
The factors that may increase or decrease the time periods discussed above are: the amount of time and effort you commit to the site selection process and the construction of your Shop; the availability of acceptable sites within the geographical area you choose; your ability to obtain a lease, financing and building permits; your credit and personal financials; and zoning and licensing requirements. Delays or a lack of effort by you, your contractors or your prospective landlord will increase these time periods. If you change your employment, business or financial status before the opening of your Shop, you do so at your own risk. Any and all such changes should be made only as a result of careful thought and advanced planning after obtaining advice from appropriate professional advisors.
Source: Item 11 — FRANCHISOR'S ASSISTANCE, ADVERTISING, COMPUTER SYSTEMS, AND TRAINING (FDD pages 25–33)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Burneys Sweets More's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, franchisees have several obligations to fulfill before opening their shop. One key requirement is that the franchisee, or if the franchisee is a corporate entity, one of its principals, must attend and successfully complete the initial training program. If Burneys Sweets More approves the shop to operate with an Operations Manager, then the Operations Manager and at least one other manager must also complete the training, unless this requirement is waived. This training is conducted at Burneys Sweets More's Elizabethtown, North Carolina location and generally lasts for one week. The franchisee is responsible for all indirect training costs, including employee salaries, travel, lodging, and meals.
Prior to opening, Burneys Sweets More is not required to provide supervision, assistance, or services, but may offer advice on additional topics related to the shop opening if requested. However, Burneys Sweets More may defer the opening of the shop if the franchisee is in breach of any obligations under the Franchise Agreement. Franchisees must also order and handle the costs of any items needed to open the Burneys Sweets More location, as Burneys Sweets More does not deliver or install these items.
Furthermore, franchisees are required to spend at least $500 before or within the first 3 months after opening their shop to promote the grand opening. This grand opening spending will count toward the franchisee's 1% local advertising requirement. The FDD also notes that factors such as the franchisee's time commitment to site selection and construction, the availability of acceptable sites, and the ability to obtain necessary permits and financing can affect the pre-opening timeline. Any changes to the franchisee's employment, business, or financial status before opening are at their own risk and should be carefully considered with professional advice.