Does Stretch Zone require personal on-premises participation by the franchisee?
Stretch_Zone Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
You are not our employee. You are your own boss running your own business subject to our rights under your Franchise Agreement. You acknowledge and agree that your Franchise Business is not a "passive" investment. We recommend that you be active in the operation of your Franchise Business, but we do not require any personal "on-premises" participation by you. As discussed
below, however, you must designate an individual to serve as your Regional Manager. You must also have at least one Certified Stretch Zone Practitioner. You are solely liable and responsible for the operation of the Franchise Business in accordance with the terms of the Franchise Agreement and the Operations Manual, regardless of whether you choose to operate the Franchise Business as a full-time owner/operator or hire another individual to serve as your Regional Manager.
If you are a Business Entity, we recommend that one or more of the Franchise Owners participate personally in the direct operation of the Franchise Business, but we do not require any personal "on-premises" participation by a Franchise Owner. As discussed below, however, you must designate an individual to serve as your Regional Manager. At least one person must be a Certified Stretch Zone Practitioner. You are solely liable and responsible for the operation of the Franchise Business in accordance with the terms of the Franchise Agreement and the Operations Manual, regardless of whether you choose to operate the Franchise Business as a full-time owner/operator or hire another individual to serve as your Regional Manager.
Source: Item 15 — ITEM -15 OBLIGATION TO PARTICIPATE IN THE ACTUAL OPERATION OF THE FRANCHISE BUSINESS (FDD pages 62–64)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Stretch Zone's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, franchisees are not required to participate in the daily operations of the franchise on-premises. While Stretch Zone recommends that franchisees be active in the operation of their franchise, it does not mandate personal on-premises participation. However, the franchisee must designate a Regional Manager and have at least one Certified Stretch Zone Practitioner.
Even if a franchisee chooses not to be involved in the day-to-day operations, they are still solely liable and responsible for the franchise's operation in accordance with the Franchise Agreement and Operations Manual. This responsibility remains whether the franchisee operates the business full-time or hires a Regional Manager. If the franchise is owned by a business entity, Stretch Zone recommends that at least one of the owners participate directly in the franchise's operation, but again, on-premises participation is not required.
If the Franchise Agreement is signed by two or more individuals or a Business Entity, a Designated Representative must be appointed in writing. Stretch Zone will rely on this representative's instructions. The Regional Manager, whether it's the franchisee, the Designated Representative, or a hired individual, must complete Stretch Zone's training requirements. If a franchisee chooses to hire a Regional Manager instead of managing the business themselves, they should be aware that this may result in lower sales or higher costs compared to owner-operated franchises.