What information must a Fitstop franchisee provide when giving notice of deviation from recommended operating hours?
Fitstop Franchise · 2024 FDDAnswer from 2024 FDD Document
We expect that you will keep your Franchised Business open and operating during those hours where the majority of our System businesses are open or as otherwise recommended in our Operations Manual, but as an independent contractor you may deviate from our recommended hours if (a) there are local regulations or landlord restrictions that affect your ability to actively operate your Franchised Business, or (b) you otherwise provide us with notice in writing of your hours of operation and an explanation regarding any material deviation from our recommended hours of operation.
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, while Fitstop expects franchisees to keep their businesses open during the hours recommended in the Operations Manual, franchisees can deviate from these hours under certain conditions. As an independent contractor, a Fitstop franchisee may deviate from the recommended hours if local regulations or landlord restrictions affect their ability to operate, or if they provide Fitstop with written notice.
The written notice to Fitstop must include the franchisee's hours of operation and an explanation regarding any material deviation from Fitstop's recommended hours of operation. This ensures that Fitstop is informed about any changes to the operating hours and understands the reasons behind them.
This policy allows Fitstop franchisees some flexibility in adapting to local conditions while ensuring that Fitstop maintains oversight of the brand's operating standards. It is important for prospective franchisees to understand the recommended operating hours and to assess whether any local factors might necessitate a deviation from those hours. Franchisees should also be prepared to provide a clear and justifiable explanation for any such deviations to Fitstop.