Is the Chatime Operating Manager allowed to engage in other businesses that require significant management responsibility?
Chatime Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
anchisee's Operating Manager may but need not be an owner of your business. You will ensure that the day-to-day operation of the Franchised Business is always actively managed by an Operating Manager who has attended and successfully completed such training as we may require from time to time. The Operating Manager will actively devote his or her full time, attention and effort to the Franchised Business and provide direct, day to-day supervision of the operation of the Franchised Business as provided in the then-current Operations Manual. The current Operations Manual requires the Operating Manager to devote at least 38 hours per week to the day to day operations of your Chatime Store. The Operating Manager shall not directly or indirectly engage in any other business or other activity that requires any significant management responsibility or time commitments or that may otherwise conflict with Franchisee's obligations under this Agreement.
- (3) The Operating Manager will ensure at all times the proper levels of customer service in accordance with the Operations Manual and this Agreement.
Source: Item 23 — Receipts (FDD pages 58–262)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Chatime's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, the Operating Manager is restricted from engaging in other business activities. The Operating Manager must devote their full time, attention, and effort to the Chatime business, providing direct, day-to-day supervision. The current Operations Manual mandates that the Operating Manager dedicate at least 38 hours per week to the daily operations of the Chatime store.
Specifically, the Operating Manager is prohibited from directly or indirectly participating in any other business or activity that demands significant management responsibility or time commitments. This restriction also applies to activities that may conflict with the franchisee's obligations under the Franchise Agreement.
Chatime franchisees must ensure that their Operating Manager dedicates their full-time efforts to the franchising, development, and operation of the Chatime network. This reinforces the commitment required to manage a Chatime franchise effectively and maintain brand standards. This policy ensures that the Operating Manager's focus remains solely on the Chatime business, preventing divided attention that could negatively impact the franchise's performance.