Who must the Fitstop franchisee identify as the person who has undergone the training program?
Fitstop Franchise · 2024 FDDAnswer from 2024 FDD Document
The Franchised Business must be directly supervised and managed by a person, identified to us who has undergone our training program. Based on his/her/their experience, we may choose to waive this requirement in our sole discretion. If you are not willing to be the full-time operator of your business, then you will be required to engage a manager and have them complete our training program (the "Designated Manager"). The Designated Manager is not required to hold an equity interest in the franchisee entity.
Any and all Designated Manager(s) must sign our then-current prescribed form of Confidentiality and Non-Competition Agreement. If and when a Designated Manager leaves his/her/their employment at your Franchised Business, you must recruit a new Designated Manager within thirty (30) days and submit the replacement's qualifications to us for our review and approval (which may be conditioned on completion of certain "Management Criteria") before substituting a new Designated Manager at any of your locations (unless you resume taking over the day-to-day operations of the Franchised Business on a full-time basis).
Your Franchised Business must always be managed and staffed with at least one (1) individual who has successfully completed the components of the Initial Training Program associated with being an owner/operator or, if appropriate, Designated Manager. In the event you develop more than one (1) System
Source: Item 15 — OBLIGATION TO PARTICIPATE IN THE ACTUAL OPERATION OF THE FRANCHISE BUSINESS (FDD pages 40–41)
What This Means (2024 FDD)
According to Fitstop's 2024 Franchise Disclosure Document, the franchisee must identify the person who directly supervises and manages the Franchised Business and has completed the Fitstop training program. This individual can be the franchisee themselves or a Designated Manager. Fitstop may, at its discretion, waive the training requirement based on the individual's experience. If the franchisee chooses not to be the full-time operator, they must hire a Designated Manager who completes the training program.
The Designated Manager doesn't need to have any ownership in the Fitstop franchise. However, if a Designated Manager is employed, they must sign a Confidentiality and Non-Competition Agreement. If the Designated Manager leaves, the franchisee has 30 days to find a replacement and submit their qualifications to Fitstop for approval. The replacement's appointment may depend on meeting specific "Management Criteria".
Fitstop requires that each franchise location is always managed and staffed by at least one person who has successfully completed the Initial Training Program, either as an owner/operator or a Designated Manager. If a franchisee owns and operates multiple Fitstop locations, each location must have a properly trained Designated Manager if the franchisee is not the on-site manager.