What is the required action for a Degree Wellness franchisee before hiring a General Manager?
Degree_Wellness Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
You must not hire any General Manager or successor General Manager without first receiving our written approval of such General Manager's qualifications. Each General Manager and successor General Manager must attend and complete our Initial Training (as defined herein) prior to commencing the role of General Manager. No General Manager may have any interest in or business relationship with any business competitor of your franchise. Each General Manager must sign a written agreement, in a form approved by us, to maintain confidential our Confidential Information described in Paragraph 9.1, to abide by non-solicitation and non-disparagement covenants, and to abide by the covenants not to compete described in Paragraph 9.3. We can provide a form for this required written agreement, however, our form is subject to review by your attorney for compliance with all local laws and rules. You must forward to us a copy of each such signed agreement. If we determine, in our sole discretion, during or following completion of the Initial Training program, that your General Manager (if any) is not qualified to act as General Manager of the Franchise, then we have the right to require you to choose (and obtain our approval of) a new individual for that position.
Source: Item 23 — Receipts (FDD pages 66–257)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Degree Wellness's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, a franchisee must receive written approval of the General Manager's qualifications from Degree Wellness before hiring them. The General Manager must also attend and complete Degree Wellness's Initial Training program before starting their role.
Furthermore, the General Manager cannot have any conflicting interests with the Degree Wellness franchise, such as involvement with a competing business. The General Manager is obligated to devote their full time and best efforts to the franchise's operations and must have the authority to implement Degree Wellness's System at the franchise.
Additionally, the General Manager must sign a written agreement, in a form approved by Degree Wellness, to protect the company's Confidential Information, abide by non-solicitation and non-disparagement covenants, and adhere to non-compete covenants. The franchisee is responsible for forwarding a copy of this signed agreement to Degree Wellness. Degree Wellness retains the right to require the franchisee to select a new General Manager if they determine the current one is not qualified, even after the completion of the Initial Training program.