What sections of the Augusta Lawn Care FDD address owner’s participation, management, and staffing?
Augusta_Lawn_Care Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
ction 11.16 | Not Applicable |Our training program lasts 4 days and is held at various locations in Blaine, Washington and. We will train up to two (2) people. Prior to scheduling training, key pre-opening tasks must be completed such as hiring staff and any business-related licenses. We typically schedule training four (4) to six (6) times per year, every other month, between October and March.
Mike Andes will oversee initial training. Mr. Andes has approximately four years of experience and his background can be found in Item 2 of this document. Additional Trainers Liz Naber and Lee Park may also conduct the training program and will have, at a minimum, experience similar to Mr. Andes', including significant lawn care industry experience. Trainees are expected to read and have reviewed the Operations Manual prior to attending training. Supplemental training will be provided in a review of the material along with hands-on, observational and visual instruction on our daily procedures and best practices for operating the Business.
If you are an individual, you and your original manager, if any, must attend and complete our initial training program to our satisfaction. If you are a legal entity, your Operating Principal and your original manager, if any, must attend and successfully complete initial training.
We currently conduct an annual national franchise conference that you (or your Operating Principal) must attend. The conference shall not occur more than one time per year. Currently, the national franchise conference fee is $500.
You (or your Operating Principal) and/or any previously-trained manager must attend any refresher or follow-up training that we designate. The cost of a follow-up training is $250 per additional training. You may also incur out-of-pocket costs in attending same.
Training for replacement managers or employees is required and provided on the same terms as the initial training provided to you, except that there may be a fee. Training for replacement managers will occur at a time we schedule on a space-available basis, and may not be available immediately after the replacement manager (or employee) is hired. You will be responsible for all expenses incurred by you and your employees in connection with attending all training programs, including the cost of transportation, lodging, meals and wages.
Training for transferees of your franchised business is required and provided on the same terms as the initial training provided to you, except that there may be a fee. Training for transferees will occur at a time we schedule on a space-available basis, but must be completed before the transfer takes place.
You must pay travel, lodging, and meal expenses for trainees and any compensation or benefits due trainees during initial training, or during any regional or national conferences, or any additional or refresher training.
Opening Business
The maximum time to open, after the Effective Date, is three hundred and sixty five (365) days.
Source: Item 11 — FRANCHISOR'S ASSISTANCE, ADVERTISING, COMPUTER SYSTEMS AND TRAINING (FDD pages 21–27)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to the 2025 Augusta Lawn Care FDD, Item 11 addresses aspects of owner's participation, management, and staffing through the initial and ongoing training programs. The FDD states that if the franchisee is an individual, they and their original manager (if any) must attend and complete the initial training program. If the franchisee is a legal entity, the Operating Principal and original manager (if any) must attend and successfully complete initial training. This highlights the importance Augusta Lawn Care places on proper training for both owners and managers.
Item 11 also states that Augusta Lawn Care may provide initial training of replacement managers at a location they determine and may charge a fee for this training. Training for replacement managers or employees is required and provided on the same terms as the initial training, except that there may be a fee. This ensures that even if there is turnover, new managers and employees receive the necessary training to maintain Augusta Lawn Care's standards. The franchisee is responsible for all expenses incurred by them and their employees in connection with attending all training programs, including the cost of transportation, lodging, meals, and wages.
Furthermore, the FDD mentions that Augusta Lawn Care presently has a Franchisee Advisory Council consisting of seven current franchisees who are voted upon annually. This council allows franchisees to participate in the brand's development and provide feedback to the franchisor. The franchisor also may provide periodic telephone and electronic mail assistance on daily operations, marketing, advertising, personnel, and other operating issues that the franchisee encounters, and provide review and analyses of their operations. This ongoing support can be valuable for franchisees as they manage their businesses and navigate challenges.