For Annex Brands, what training must a franchisee or their manager successfully complete?
Annex_Brands Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
Currently, initial training for standard, flex and express retail centers will typically last for 8 classroom days, 9 hours per day, with up to 1 additional 6-hour day for flex retail centers. We may give you pre-training materials and workbooks before initial training. We, typically, depending on enrollment, schedule initial training monthly (except in December). We may provide an online training program before you and/or your personnel attend the initial training class that may reduce the number of classroom days for initial training. You also must attend and successfully complete any pre-training preparation and post-training follow-up sessions, which may include, but are not limited to, teleconferences, online web-based training, and live webcast sessions. Currently, we have an online financial training portal that includes 14 courses in which you must complete at least the initial 2 courses before attending initial training, with the remainder of the courses to be completed during training or within 6 months after you (i) open your retail center, (ii) assume operation of an existing retail center by transfer, or (iii) convert an existing business to a retail center. Course completion requirements are subject to change in our sole discretion. We may
choose, in our sole discretion, to shorten training based on certain circumstances, such as attendees' prior experience with the subject matter, the number of attendees, scheduling, etc. We may choose to eliminate initial training for persons previously trained or with comparable experience.
Initial training generally concludes from 0 to 4 months before the projected opening of your retail center.
You (or, if you are a legal entity, 1 of your principals) and/or your designated personnel (not to total more than 4 persons) must successfully complete initial training to our satisfaction.
Source: Item 15 — Obligation to Participate in the Actual Operation of the Franchise Business (FDD page 70)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to the 2025 FDD, Annex Brands requires franchisees or their managers to successfully complete initial training. This training is mandatory for the franchisee, one of their principals if the franchisee is a legal entity, or a designated manager, with a limit of four people attending. The initial training typically lasts for 8 classroom days, 9 hours per day, with a possible additional 6-hour day for flex retail centers. This training usually concludes 0 to 4 months before the retail center's projected opening.
Annex Brands may also provide pre-training materials, workbooks, and online training programs to potentially reduce the number of classroom days required. Franchisees must also complete any pre-training preparation and post-training follow-up sessions, such as teleconferences, online web-based training, and live webcast sessions. Currently, Annex Brands has an online financial training portal with 14 courses, where at least the first two courses must be completed before attending initial training, with the remaining courses finished during training or within 6 months after opening, assuming operation, or converting an existing business.
Annex Brands may also require franchisees, experienced managers, or new managers to attend periodic training courses online or at designated locations. Additionally, Annex Brands may offer national conventions and regional meetings for further training in areas like marketing, advertising, equipment technology, and business management. The company may charge a registration fee for refresher training courses, conventions, meetings, or optional training programs. Franchisees and their designated personnel must attend the full program and stay at the designated hotel for each national convention and any regional meeting held in their area.
Franchisees must also ensure they have the necessary computer hardware, software, and internet access before or at the initial training, as specified by Annex Brands. On-site initial training may be provided at the franchisee's location for up to 4 days for new franchisees and 1 day for transfers or existing franchisees at no charge. Additional training beyond this may incur a daily fee of $300 per person, plus costs for transportation, lodging, and meals for Annex Brands' personnel.