What is Carbones Pizzeria's stance on absentee ownership?
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.
If you are an entity, including a partnership, or you transfer your Franchise Agreement to an entity, including a partnership, you and any other owners (and your and their spouses) must sign a personal guaranty of all obligations under the Franchise Agreement and agreeing to be bound by all such obligations.
Source: Item 15 — OBLIGATION TO PARTICIPATE IN THE ACTUAL OPERATION OF THE FRANCHISE BUSINESS (FDD page 23)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Carbones Pizzeria's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, while not strictly prohibited, the company strongly discourages absentee ownership. Carbones Pizzeria recommends that at least one owner actively participate in the direct operation of the restaurant.
If an owner cannot act as the operations manager, Carbones Pizzeria requires the franchisee to employ an operations manager who will provide on-site supervision of the restaurant. This operations manager must complete the initial training program provided by Carbones Pizzeria. Notably, this manager is not required to hold any equity in the restaurant business.
For franchisees structured as entities, including partnerships, all owners (and their spouses) must sign a personal guaranty. This guaranty ensures they are bound by all obligations outlined in the Franchise Agreement, regardless of their day-to-day involvement in the business. This requirement underscores Carbones Pizzeria's emphasis on commitment and accountability from all owners, even those not directly managing operations.