What do the 'System Standards' encompass for a My Salon Suite franchise?
My_Salon_Suite Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
- "System Standards" means all mandatory and suggested specifications, policies, standards, safety requirements, operating procedures, and rules periodically prescribed by Franchisor concerning the operation of a Franchised Business, and any information on Franchisee's other obligations under the Franchise Agreement to maintain the high and consistent quality critical to attracting and keeping clients of Franchised Businesses and preserving the goodwill of the Proprietary Marks; and
Any required standards exist to protect Franchisor's interests in the System and the Marks and not for the purpose of establishing any control or duty to take control over those matters that are reserved to Franchisee.
The Manual is to protect and maintain the System Standards and the Proprietary Marks and not to control the day-to-day operation of Franchisee's Franchised Business.
Within forty-five (45) days of Franchisee's execution of this Agreement and the Addendum, Franchisees agree to make all alterations, modifications and improvements to the Conversion Franchise premises as reasonably requested by Franchisor, which shall include, but not be limited to, replacing all signage, replacing the Existing Business's trade dress with My Salon Suite trade dress, and meeting the current standards of the System Standards. Franchisee will also replace all stationery, forms, invoices, business cards and all other written materials used in salon rental business with materials meeting our standards for such items and obtaining and replacing such equipment, computer hardware and software and other equipment (at your option), meeting our specifications and standards necessary to operate the Conversion Franchise under the System Standards; and to cancel and/or replace all forms of advertising, such as social media ads, online presence, and display ads, under the My Salon Suite name and substitute advertising approved by Franchisor using the Proprietary Marks.
Franchisee, as well as any individual Franchisee designated to manage the day-to-day operations of the Franchised Business (the "Designated Manager"), must attend, and complete to Franchisor's satisfaction, Franchisor's initial training program (the "My Salon Suite University") sixty (60) before opening the Franchised Business Effective Date.
My Salon Suite University is intended to protect and maintain the System Standards and the Proprietary Marks and not to control the day- to-day operation of Franchisee's Franchised Business.
Source: Item 23 — RECEIPTS (FDD pages 95–230)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to the 2025 My Salon Suite FDD, 'System Standards' encompass all mandatory and suggested specifications, policies, standards, safety requirements, operating procedures, and rules that My Salon Suite periodically prescribes. These standards concern the operation of a franchised business and include any information on the franchisee's obligations under the Franchise Agreement. The aim is to maintain the high and consistent quality critical to attracting and keeping clients and preserving the goodwill of the Proprietary Marks.
My Salon Suite's standards are designed to protect the interests in the System and the Marks, not to control the day-to-day operations, with standards generally set forth in the Manual or other written materials. The manual includes guidelines or recommendations in addition to required standards. Franchisees may follow these recommendations or some other suitable alternative, provided they meet and comply with the required standards. My Salon Suite reserves the right to determine if a franchisee is meeting a required standard and whether an alternative is suitable.
For a Conversion Franchise, franchisees must make alterations, modifications, and improvements to meet the current System Standards within forty-five days of executing the agreement. This includes replacing signage and trade dress, meeting System Standards, replacing written materials, and obtaining necessary equipment and software. Franchisees must also cancel and replace all forms of advertising to align with My Salon Suite's standards and use advertising approved by the franchisor using the Proprietary Marks.
My Salon Suite also provides initial training programs, 'My Salon Suite University', which franchisees and their designated managers must attend and complete to the franchisor's satisfaction before opening the franchised business. This training is intended to protect and maintain the System Standards and the Proprietary Marks. Franchisees must also sign a Training and Joint Employment Acknowledgment to indicate their understanding of this.