Who is responsible for the costs incurred by attendees participating in the initial Aplus training?

According to Aplus's 2024 Franchise Disclosure Document, while Aplus does not charge a fee for the initial training program for the first three participants, the franchisee is responsible for all related costs incurred by themselves and their attendees. These costs include expenses for hotel accommodations, travel, and wages. The Designated Manager must attend and successfully complete the training before the Aplus store can open.

This means that a new Aplus franchisee needs to budget not only for the initial franchise fee and other startup costs, but also for the expenses associated with sending their Designated Manager and up to two other people to the training program. These costs can vary significantly depending on the location of the training, the distance attendees must travel, the duration of their stay, and the wages paid to the employees while they are in training.

For additional or remedial training, Aplus provides this at no charge for the first two attendees, but charges $1,000 per week for each additional person attending. The franchisee is also responsible for hotel, travel, and wages for all attendees for additional training. This is a fairly standard practice in the franchise industry, as it ensures that franchisees have a vested interest in the training and are committed to implementing what they learn.

Prospective Aplus franchisees should carefully consider these training-related costs when evaluating the overall financial investment required to start and operate an Aplus franchise. It would be prudent to inquire about the typical duration of the training, the location, and any opportunities to reduce travel and accommodation expenses.