If Annex Brands provides training materials, are franchisees required to use them?
Annex_Brands Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
To the extent that Franchisor provides Franchisee with materials and other resources related to training Franchisee's management and non-management personnel on matters in the interest of protecting and maintaining the goodwill of the System and the Marks, and not in order to give Franchisor control the day-to-day operation of the Center, Franchisee must use those training resources as Franchisor directs.
To the extent that Franchisor provides Franchisee with guidelines, recommendations, materials and other resources related to training Franchisee's management and non-management personnel on other matters, Franchisee may use those training resources, or may choose to use alternate training resources, so long as its management and non-management personnel are trained to operate the Center in a System-compliant, legal and safe manner.
Source: Item 22 — Contracts (FDD pages 109–110)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Annex Brands' 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, the use of training materials provided by Annex Brands depends on the subject matter. If Annex Brands provides materials and resources to train management and non-management personnel to protect and maintain the goodwill of the System and the Marks, franchisees must use those training resources as Annex Brands directs. This indicates that Annex Brands wants to ensure brand consistency and quality across all franchise locations.
However, if Annex Brands provides guidelines, recommendations, materials, and other resources related to training on other matters, franchisees have the option to use those resources or choose alternate training resources. The key requirement is that the franchisee's management and non-management personnel are trained to operate the Center in a System-compliant, legal, and safe manner. This provides franchisees with some flexibility in how they train their staff, as long as the training meets the standards set by Annex Brands and complies with legal requirements.
This distinction allows Annex Brands to maintain control over critical aspects of the business that directly impact the brand's reputation while giving franchisees some autonomy in other areas of training. Prospective franchisees should understand these requirements and consider how they align with their own training preferences and capabilities. Franchisees are always responsible for ensuring their employees are properly trained.