What are the franchisee's responsibilities regarding travel and living expenses for managers attending additional training for the Aw franchise?
Aw Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
If you want to have more than 2 owners and managers trained by us when you attend the initial training program or if you want to send new or additional managers to training after you attend the initial training program, we will provide this training for a fee provided training space is available. You are responsible for all travel and living expenses and wages incurred by your managers who attend training. (Franchise Agreement, Section 5.1)
We may offer and we may require you (or your approved Owner) and any manager to attend supplemental training, seminars, programs, regional franchise meeting and/or webinars during the term of the franchise at times and places we designate. We have the right to charge you a tuition fee for these programs and you will be responsible for your and your managers' travel and living expenses. (Franchise Agreement, Section 5.2)
We may hold an Annual Conference of franchisees. You (or your approved Owner) and/or your operating manager must attend the Annual Conference. You must pay us the Annual Conference registration fee even if you fail to attend. You must pay the travel and living expenses you and any manager incur in attending the Annual Conference. However, we are not obligated to conduct an Annual Conference.
Source: Item 11 — FRANCHISOR'S ASSISTANCE, ADVERTISING, COMPUTER SYSTEMS AND TRAINING (FDD pages 22–29)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Aw's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, franchisees are generally responsible for covering the travel and living expenses of their managers who attend training programs. Specifically, if a franchisee wants to send more than two owners or managers to the initial training program, or if they want to send new or additional managers to training after the initial program, Aw will provide the training for a fee, assuming space is available. However, the franchisee must cover all travel, living expenses, and wages for these managers during the training period.
Aw may also require franchisees or their managers to attend supplemental training, seminars, programs, regional franchise meetings, or webinars. In these instances, Aw has the right to charge a tuition fee for these programs, and the franchisee will be responsible for their own and their managers' travel and living expenses. Additionally, Aw may hold an Annual Conference that franchisees and/or their operating managers must attend. Franchisees are obligated to pay the Annual Conference registration fee, even if they fail to attend, and they must also cover the travel and living expenses for themselves and any managers attending the conference.
This policy is fairly standard in the franchise industry, as it ensures that franchisees bear the costs associated with ongoing training and development, while Aw focuses on providing the training itself. It is important for prospective Aw franchisees to factor in these potential expenses when budgeting for their franchise, as these costs can accumulate over time, especially if Aw mandates frequent training sessions or conferences. Franchisees should inquire about the typical frequency and location of these events to better estimate the associated travel and living expenses.