Under what circumstances might Azal Coffee charge training fees?
Azal_Coffee Franchise · 2024 FDDAnswer from 2024 FDD Document
onnel in accordance with our specifications.
7.3 Additional Training, Sales Programs and Meetings.
A Designated Owner (or, if specified by us, the General Manager or other management employees) must, solely at your expense, attend additional training, sales programs, and meetings reasonably specified by us, including regular periodic franchise meetings if specified by us. We will give reasonable notice of any additional specified training, sales programs, and meetings. We may require you to pay a reasonable charge for any training provided to you and/or your managers beyond the initial training program described in Section 7.1. Any fees we charge will be uniform as to all persons attending additional training at that time. We may require that you complete additional training before offering new Authorized Products from the Franchise Business.
We may require that your managers, including replacement managers in the event any previously trained manager-level employees are no longer employed at the Franchise Business, satisfactorily complete our training programs and additional training programs. We may charge reasonable fees for training managers. You are responsible for paying the wages or salaries, expenses for travel, food and lodging incurred by your employees during all training courses and programs. You agree to assist us in training other Azal Coffee franchisees; provided that, we must reimburse you for any expenses you incur in providing this assistance.
If you or your management personnel fail to attend required additional training without our consent, we may charge you liquidated damages under Section 15.7.
If you request additional assistance at any time, you will be responsible for our trainer's per diem fee and related travel costs. You must also pay wages, employment related expenses, travel, and living expenses for your employees. If we, in our sole discretion, complete the opening assistance and training and determine that your management staff needs additional training, you are responsible for the additional training costs, including wages, travel, and living expenses of our staff. If you or any member of your team fails to complete the training program to our satisfaction, in our sole and unfettered judgment, we may terminate this Agreement.
We will not be obligated to continue any specific ongoing training or advice we provide based on course of dealing or otherwise. We may discontinue or modify any ongoing training or advice at any time.
ARTICLE 8 – OPERATIONS AND SYSTEM STANDARDS
8.1 Continuing Operations and Best Efforts.
Source: Item 22 — CONTRACTS (FDD page 51)
What This Means (2024 FDD)
According to Azal Coffee's 2024 Franchise Disclosure Document, Azal Coffee may require a Designated Owner, General Manager, or other management employees to attend additional training, sales programs, and meetings. While the franchisee is responsible for the expenses, travel, food, and lodging incurred by their employees during training, Azal Coffee may charge for the training itself under certain conditions.
Azal Coffee may charge a reasonable fee for training provided to the franchisee or their managers beyond the initial training program. These fees will be uniform for all attendees of the additional training at that time. Azal Coffee may also require additional training before a franchisee can offer new authorized products from the franchise business. Furthermore, Azal Coffee may charge reasonable fees for training managers, including replacement managers if previously trained managers are no longer employed at the Franchise Business.
If a franchisee or their management personnel fail to attend required additional training without Azal Coffee's consent, Azal Coffee may charge liquidated damages. Additionally, if a franchisee requests additional assistance, they will be responsible for the trainer's per diem fee and related travel costs. If Azal Coffee determines that a franchisee's management staff needs additional training after the initial opening assistance and training, the franchisee is responsible for the additional training costs, including wages, travel, and living expenses of Azal Coffee's staff. Failure to complete the training program to Azal Coffee's satisfaction may result in termination of the Franchise Agreement.
Azal Coffee is not obligated to continue any specific ongoing training or advice and may discontinue or modify any ongoing training or advice at any time. The franchisee is responsible for ensuring their team is adequately trained and for covering the associated costs, including potential training fees, travel, and accommodation expenses.