What training must a manager of a Ben Jerrys Scoop Shop complete?
Ben_Jerrys Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
this Agreement, "force majeure" means an act of God, war, civil disturbance, act of terrorism, government action, fire, flood, accident, hurricane, earthquake, or other calamity, strike or other labor dispute, or any other cause beyond the reasonable control of OPERATOR; provided, however, force majeure shall not include OPERATOR's lack of adequate financing. In the event OPERATOR's opening is delayed by a force majeure event, OPERATOR's time to open the Scoop Shop shall be extended by the shorter of: (a) the delay caused by such event, or (b) thirty (30) days.
6. TRAINING
- 6.1 Before opening the Scoop Shop, (i) OPERATOR (or, if OPERATOR is other than an individual, an Owner approved by BEN & JERRY'S), or (ii) OPERATOR's manager (if OPERATOR or an Owner will not be the on-Premises supervisor of the Scoop Shop on a fulltime basis) shall attend and complete to BEN & JERRY'S satisfaction Scoop U Training. If OPERATOR is an individual who will not manage the Scoop Shop personally, BEN & JERRY'S may require OPERATOR to attend and complete to BEN & JERRY'S satisfaction, initial training as determined by BEN & JERRY'S.
- 6.2 In addition to pre-opening training, BEN & JERRY'S may require any persons subsequently employed by OPERATOR in the position of manager to attend and complete to BEN & JERRY'S satisfaction, Scoop U Training for managers, for which training BEN & JERRY'S may charge OPERATOR a fee. OPERATOR, OPERATOR's manager, and other employees as OPERATOR may designate shall also attend such additional courses, seminars, and other training programs as BEN & JERRY'S may require from time to time. Every five (5) years, OPERATOR shall also attend such additional courses, seminars, and other training programs as BEN & JERRY'S may reasonably require from time to time irrespective of the number of Shops OPERATOR operates.
- 6.3 All training programs shall be at such times as may be designated by BEN & JERRY'S. Training programs shall be provided in Vermont and/or such other locations as BEN & JERRY'S may designate. OPERATOR may be required to pay a fee to BEN & JERRY'S, or to trainers designated by BEN & JERRY'S, for training courses, seminars and programs provided after the pre-opening training described in Section 6.1. OPERATOR or its employees shall be responsible for any and all other expenses incurred by them in connection with Scoop U Training and any other training, including the costs of transportation, lodging, meals, and wages. Trainees will not receive compensation from BEN & JERRY'S for work performed during Scoop U Training or such other training. OPERATOR acknowledges that Scoop U Training is designed to protect the BEN & JERRY'S brand and reputation, and is not designed to control the day-to-day operation of the Scoop Shop.
**7.
Source: Item 22 — CONTRACTS (FDD pages 133–134)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Ben Jerrys's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, a manager must complete Scoop U Training. Prior to opening a Scoop Shop, either the operator (or an approved owner if the operator is not an individual) or the operator's manager (if the operator or owner will not be the on-premises supervisor full-time) must attend and complete Scoop U Training to Ben & Jerry's satisfaction. If the operator is an individual who will not manage the Scoop Shop personally, Ben & Jerry's may require the operator to attend and complete initial training as determined by Ben & Jerry's.
Ben & Jerry's may also require any subsequently employed manager to attend and complete Scoop U Training for managers, potentially charging the operator a fee for this training. The operator, manager, and other designated employees must also attend additional courses, seminars, and other training programs as Ben & Jerry's may require from time to time. Every five years, the operator must attend additional training programs, regardless of the number of shops they operate.
All training programs will be held at times designated by Ben & Jerry's, typically in Vermont or other locations they specify. The operator may have to pay fees for training courses, seminars, and programs provided after the initial pre-opening training. The operator or their employees are responsible for all expenses related to Scoop U Training and other training, including transportation, lodging, meals, and wages. Trainees will not receive compensation from Ben & Jerry's for work performed during training. Ben & Jerry's states that Scoop U Training is designed to protect the Ben & Jerry's brand and reputation, and is not designed to control the day-to-day operation of the Scoop Shop.
Ben & Jerry's also requires the operator to maintain a competent, conscientious, trained staff, including a fully-trained manager (who may be the operator), and if the operator has multiple Scoop Shops, a fully-trained manager for each Scoop Shop. The Scoop Shop must be under the direct supervision of the operator or a manager who has satisfactorily completed Scoop U Training. Upon completion of Scoop U Training by the operator and the operator's manager, Ben & Jerry's will provide access to the Manual via electronic access for the term of the agreement.