Does Bananas Smoothies Frozen Yogurt provide initial training, and if so, to whom?
Bananas_Smoothies_Frozen_Yogurt Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
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Training Programs
Prior to the opening of the Franchised Business we will provide initial training programs. You and/or at least one designated manager must attend and successfully complete our program. The training program will be conducted in Bethlehem, PA or at another designated training facility. The training program emphasizes on-the-job training but may also incorporate classroom training. It will also include accounting and administrative procedures training along with other elements of restaurant management. We do not charge a fee for the initial training program. There is no cost for the training, however, you will be responsible for all expenses incurred in training by you and/or your manager, including, but not limited to, travel costs, room, board and wages. Our training department will assess your satisfactory completion of training which will include proficient performance evaluation in all task areas and management areas related to the operation of the Franchised Business. We will assess competence and proficiency through a combination of written and/or oral tests and quizzes and observations. If you or your manager have not satisfactorily completed the training, you may be required to attend further follow-up training for which at our sole discretion, you may be required, to pay for the training instructors, materials, or incidental costs associated with providing the additional training.
Instructional material used in the training program consists of a fifteen-day (15) training schedule, study guide, product manual, operations & training manual and quizzes.
Experience of Instructors
Kelly Hernandez, Divisional Vice President of Operations, who has over 10 years experience, oversees our training program. Her biography appears in Item 2 above.
Types of Instruction in Initial Training
The initial training program for the Franchised Business consists of two 50-60 hour six-day work weeks. Training typically begins 5 to 6 weeks before opening and must be completed before the anticipated opening of the Franchised Business. Classroom and on-the-job training takes place at our corporate location listed in the chart below.
Source: Item 11 — FRANCHISOR'S ASSISTANCE, ADVERTISING, COMPUTER SYSTEMS AND TRAINING (FDD pages 38–43)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to the 2025 Bananas Smoothies Frozen Yogurt Franchise Disclosure Document, initial training programs are provided prior to the opening of the franchised business. The franchisee and/or at least one designated manager must attend and successfully complete this program. The training program is conducted in Bethlehem, PA, or at another designated training facility. The program emphasizes on-the-job training but may also incorporate classroom training, including accounting and administrative procedures, along with other elements of restaurant management. Bananas Smoothies Frozen Yogurt does not charge a fee for the initial training program. Instructional material includes a fifteen-day (15) training schedule, study guide, product manual, operations & training manual and quizzes. Kelly Hernandez, Divisional Vice President of Operations, oversees the training program and has over 10 years of experience.
The initial training program consists of two 50-60 hour six-day work weeks. Training typically begins 5 to 6 weeks before opening and must be completed before the anticipated opening of the Franchised Business. Classroom and on-the-job training takes place at the corporate location. The FDD outlines the subjects covered in training, including food and inventory purchases (6 hours of on-the-job training and 1-2 hours of classroom training), preparation and service of foods and beverages (55 hours of on-the-job training and 1-2 hours of classroom training), and operating of restaurant equipment (35 hours of on-the-job training and 1-2 hours of classroom training).
While there is no direct cost for the training itself, the franchisee is responsible for all expenses incurred in training by them and/or their manager, including travel costs, room, board, and wages. Bananas Smoothies Frozen Yogurt's training department will assess satisfactory completion of training, which includes proficient performance evaluation in all task areas and management areas related to the operation of the Franchised Business. Competence and proficiency will be assessed through a combination of written and/or oral tests and quizzes and observations. If the franchisee or their manager does not satisfactorily complete the training, they may be required to attend further follow-up training, for which, at Bananas Smoothies Frozen Yogurt's sole discretion, they may be required to pay for the training instructors, materials, or incidental costs associated with providing the additional training.