If an operations manager is required for a Carbones Pizzeria, must they own equity in the Restaurant business?
Carbones_Pizzeria Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
Although not required we strongly recommend that one of your owners participate personally in the direct operation of the Restaurant. Although we do not prohibit it, we strongly discourage any form of "absentee ownership" of a Carbone's pizza restaurant.
If one of your owners will not act as the operations manager you must have an operations manager to conduct on-site supervision of your Restaurant operations. This manager must complete our initial training program. This individual is not required to own any equity interest in your Restaurant business.
Source: Item 15 — OBLIGATION TO PARTICIPATE IN THE ACTUAL OPERATION OF THE FRANCHISE BUSINESS (FDD page 23)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to the 2025 Carbones Pizzeria FDD, if an owner does not act as the operations manager, then an operations manager is required for on-site supervision. The FDD specifies that this operations manager is not required to have any equity interest in the Carbones Pizzeria restaurant business.
While Carbones Pizzeria strongly recommends that an owner participate directly in the restaurant's operation and discourages absentee ownership, they do allow for the possibility of an operations manager fulfilling this role. This provides flexibility for franchisees who may not be able to personally manage the day-to-day operations.
However, it is important to note that the operations manager must complete the initial training program provided by Carbones Pizzeria. This ensures that the manager is properly equipped to uphold the brand's standards and effectively manage the restaurant. The length of the training program is approximately 12-24 days for operations managers.