Who is required to attend and successfully complete the required training programs for an Aplus franchise?
Aplus Franchise · 2024 FDDAnswer from 2024 FDD Document
You, or
your Designated Manager, must attend and successfully complete to our satisfaction all required training programs and provide ongoing training, guidance and supervision to all of your employees.
Before you commence operations, you must successfully complete our initial training program (see Item 11). You are responsible for ensuring that those managing or employed at the APLUS Store know how to operate the store in a safe and proper manner, which includes, but is not limited to, having an employee present at your APLUS Store during all operating hours who has the ability to communicate with the public in the English language.
If you are a multi-unit APLUS franchisee, you must have at least one full-time employee who has successfully completed our required training, at our satisfaction, on duty in each APLUS Store at least 40 hours per week. This employee may be our trained manager. When necessary, you have four months to replace a trained manager who is no longer employed by you. Replacement managers must attend and successfully complete, to our satisfaction, the initial training program. (Section 8.4 of the Franchise Agreement)
If Franchisor determines that the Designated Manager is unable to satisfactorily complete the training program described above, Franchisor has the unrestricted right to terminate this Agreement.
We provide an initial training program for your Designated Manager and up to two other people at least 5 weeks prior to you commencing operations. You must attend and complete to our satisfaction our initial training program before beginning operation of your APLUS Store. (Section 8.1. of the Franchise Agreement)
Franchisor shall make an initial training program available to your Designated Manager and two (2) other individuals who will be directly involved in the operation of the APLUS Store. Prior to the opening of the Franchised Business, the Designated Manager must attend and successfully complete initial training to Franchisor's satisfaction, including the passing of tests at the end of initial training. Franchisor shall not charge tuition or similar fees for initial training, however, all expenses incurred by Franchisee in attending such program including, but not limited to, travel costs, room and board expenses and employees' salaries or wages, shall be the sole responsibility of Franchisee. Franchisee shall be responsible for training its management and other employees.
We may provide additional or remedial training at our discretion, and we may require you and your staff to complete such training. The training will be conducted at our designated training center or another location. This training is provided at no charge for the first two attendees. We will charge you $1,000 per week for each additional person attending the training. You are responsible for your related incurred costs for hotel, travel, and wages for you and your attendees.
Source: Item 15 — OBLIGATION TO PARTICIPATE IN THE ACTUAL OPERATION OF THE FRANCHISE BUSINESS (FDD pages 51–52)
What This Means (2024 FDD)
According to Aplus's 2024 Franchise Disclosure Document, either the franchisee or their Designated Manager must attend and successfully complete all required training programs. The Designated Manager is the person with primary responsibility for managing the day-to-day operations of the Aplus store. If the franchisee operates as a sole proprietor, they also serve as the Designated Manager. If the franchisee operates under an approved business entity, the Designated Manager must typically hold at least 51% ownership of the entity's voting stock, unless Aplus agrees otherwise.
Prior to opening an Aplus store, the Designated Manager must attend and successfully complete the initial training program. Aplus also makes the initial training program available to two other individuals who will be directly involved in the operation of the Aplus Store. The franchisee is responsible for ensuring that all employees know how to safely and properly operate the store, including having an employee present during all operating hours who can communicate with the public in English.
Aplus may also provide additional or remedial training, which the franchisee and their staff may be required to complete. If the franchisee is a multi-unit operator, at least one full-time employee who has successfully completed the required training must be on duty at each Aplus store for at least 40 hours per week. Replacement managers must also attend and successfully complete the initial training program. Aplus reserves the right to terminate the Franchise Agreement if the Designated Manager is unable to satisfactorily complete the training program.
The initial training program is conducted primarily at "Sunoco University" located at one of Aplus's affiliate's offices outside of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. While Aplus does not charge a tuition fee for the initial training program for the first three participants, the franchisee is responsible for covering all associated costs, such as hotel, travel, and wages for themselves and their attendees. If additional training is needed, Aplus charges $1,000 per week for each additional person attending the training beyond the first two attendees.