Can 1 800 Packouts require franchisees to attend refresher training?
1_800_Packouts Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
Additional Training. We may require that you, your Manager, and/or other key personnel that we designate to attend optional or mandatory refresher training and/or ongoing educational training, seminars, conferences, webinars, other electronic communications and regional or national meetings, huddles, and meetings relating to the operation of Franchised Businesses at locations we select. There are certain certifications which you may desire to have your employees obtain. Having employees with various certifications can provide certain benefits to your Franchised Business. We may charge you a reasonable fee for each of your trainees required or scheduled to attend such programs and conferences regardless of whether such employees actually attend. You will be obligated to bear the cost of wages and any travel and living expenses incurred by you or your trainees related to any such programs and conferences. If we conduct training at your Franchised Business, you will be responsible for reimbursing us for the living and travel expenses of any of our representatives providing such training.
Source: Item 11 — FRANCHISOR'S ASSISTANCE, ADVERTISING, COMPUTER SYSTEMS, AND TRAINING (FDD pages 32–39)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to the 2025 FDD, 1 800 Packouts can mandate that franchisees, their managers, and other key personnel attend refresher training, ongoing educational training, seminars, conferences, webinars, electronic communications, and regional or national meetings related to the operation of the franchised businesses. These events will be held at locations selected by 1 800 Packouts.
1 800 Packouts may charge franchisees a reasonable fee for each trainee required or scheduled to attend these programs and conferences, regardless of actual attendance. Franchisees are responsible for the wages, travel, and living expenses incurred by themselves or their trainees for any such programs and conferences. If 1 800 Packouts conducts training at the franchisee's location, the franchisee must reimburse 1 800 Packouts for the living and travel expenses of their representatives providing the training.
This means that franchisees should budget not only for the direct costs of training fees, but also for indirect costs such as travel, accommodation, and wages for themselves and their employees when required to attend additional training. Franchisees should inquire about the frequency and location of mandatory refresher training to better estimate these potential costs.