Is My Salon Suite obligated to follow the advice of the Franchise Advisory Council?
My_Salon_Suite Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
The Franchise Advisory Council ("Council") was established in January 2017 and has been set up to advise us on operations & advertising policies. Members of the Council consist of both franchisees and corporate representatives. Members of the Council were selected by way of a voting method specified in the Council's bylaws. The purpose of the Council is to provide input regarding the operations and advertising strategy and to promote communication between us and all Franchised Businesses. The Council serves in an advisory capacity only. We will have the power to form, change, or dissolve the Council in our sole discretion.
Source: Item 11 — Franchisor's Assistance, Advertising, Computer Systems, and Training (FDD pages 42–53)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to the 2025 My Salon Suite Franchise Disclosure Document, the Franchise Advisory Council's purpose is to provide input on operations and advertising strategy and promote communication between My Salon Suite and its franchisees. The council consists of both franchisees and corporate representatives, with members selected through a voting method specified in the council's bylaws. However, the document explicitly states that the council serves only in an advisory capacity.
This means that while My Salon Suite values the input of the Franchise Advisory Council, it is not legally bound to follow its advice. My Salon Suite retains the power to form, change, or dissolve the council at its sole discretion. This structure is common in franchising, where the franchisor typically maintains ultimate decision-making authority while seeking franchisee feedback.
For a prospective My Salon Suite franchisee, this information is important for understanding the level of influence they can expect to have on the brand's operations and advertising. While the Franchise Advisory Council offers a platform for franchisees to voice their opinions and suggestions, My Salon Suite is not obligated to implement those suggestions. Franchisees should consider this advisory-only role when evaluating the franchise opportunity and assessing their comfort level with the franchisor's decision-making process.