Under what circumstances might Ben Jerrys Scoop U Training occur virtually?
Ben_Jerrys Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
| Obligation | Section(s) in Agreement | Disclosure Document Item | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| u. Renewal | § 2 of Scoop Shop Franchise Agreement; § 6 of Satellite Addendum | Item 17 | ||
| v. Post-termination obligations | § 16 of Franchise Agreement; §§ 6, 8 of Development Agreement; §16 of Warehouse Addendum | Item 17 | ||
| w. Non-competition covenants | § 17 of Franchise Agreement; § 8 of Development Agreement | Item 17 | ||
| x. Dispute resolution | § 26 of Franchise Agreement; § 12 of Preliminary Agreement; § 17 of Development Agreement | Item 17 | ||
| y. Taxes/permits | §§ 5 and 19 of Franchise Agreement; § 10 of Development Agreement | Item 1 | ||
| SUBJECT | HOURS OF VIRTUAL OR INSTRUCTOR LED TRAINING | HOURS OF ON THE JOB TRAINING | LOCATION | |
| Ice Cream 101 - Product Summary - Approved Products - Our Flavors/Flavor Facts - Dipcase Setup -Dipcase Tour & Tasting flavors | :30 | 0 | Scoop University South Burlington, VT | |
| Scooping 101 - Health & Hygiene - Scooping Tools & Technique - Portions - Practice | :30 | 0 | Scoop University South Burlington, VT | |
| Product Quality & Handling - Overview - Shelf Life & Handling - Quality testing and reporting issues | :30 | 0 | Scoop University South Burlington, VT | |
| Foreign Objects & Allergies - Reducing Risk of Allergic Reactions - Serving Allergenic Customers -Foreign Objects | :30 | 0 | Scoop University South Burlington, VT | |
| Activism, Social Mission & Sustainability - Mission Statement - Initiatives -Executing in Shops | 1:30 | 0 | Scoop University South Burlington, VT | |
| Cleaning and Equipment - Approved Cleaning system - Cleaning/Sanitizing/3-bay sink -Scoop Shop Evaluation - Checklists - Dipcases/Freezers - Refrigerators - Other equipment/smallwares -Equipment use and maintenance | :30 | 0 | Scoop University South Burlington, VT | |
| Waterbury Experience/Tour | 1:00 | 0 | Ben & Jerry’s Waterbury Facility Waterbury, VT | |
| PR - Introduction & Examples -Why do PR? | :30 | 0 | Scoop University South Burlington, VT | |
| Orders/Vendors/Distribution - Ice Cream Orders - Retail Gift Program - Suppliers - Distribution/Supply Chain - Deliveries -Dry Storage Guidelines | 0:30 | 0 | Scoop University South Burlington, VT | |
| SUBJECT | HOURS OF VIRTUAL OR INSTRUCTOR LED TRAINING | HOURS OF ON THE JOB TRAINING | LOCATION | |
| Menu Items - Baked Goods (Waffle cones, Brownies, Cookies) - Sundaes - Frozen Drinks | 3 | 0 | Scoop University South Burlington, VT | |
| Cash Handling and Security - Cash Handling Standards - Overages/Shortages -Deposits | :30 | 0 | Scoop University South Burlington, VT | |
| Introduction to POS - System Overview - Pieces/Parts - Ringing in Sales/Using the System - Practice - Back of House Information -Recommended Dashboard Reports | :30 | 0 | Scoop University South Burlington, VT | |
| Introduction to Cakes - How to sell a cake - Display vs. order cakes - Cake board - Storage and shelf lives - Packing cakes: hands-on practice -Decorating cakes: hands-on practice | 2:30 | 0 | Scoop University South Burlington, VT | |
| Introduction to Consumer Services | :30 | 0 | ||
| - Consumer complaints/praises | ||||
| -How to handle product issues | ||||
| Scoop Percent - What is Scoop Percent? -Managing Portion Control | :30 | 0 | Scoop University South Burlington, VT | |
| Open Scoop U for Business | 1:30 | 0 | Scoop University South Burlington, VT | |
| Brand Experience at Company-Owned | 4 | Downtown Store | ||
| Scoop Shop | Burlington, VT | |||
| Cost of Goods Sold - Theoretical Cost of Goods Sold - Using the workbook/calculating - Actual Cost of Goods Sold - Controlling costs -Weekly Ice Cream Inventory form | :30 | 0 | Scoop University South Burlington, VT | |
| Monthly Financial Reporting - Requirements - Reporting Workbook/Portal Reporting - 4% Marketing Plan -Approved Marketing Expenses | :30 | 0 | Scoop University South Burlington, VT | |
| Financial Management - P&L Review -Break Even Analysis | :30 | 0 | Scoop University South Burlington, VT | Timing also includes meet and greets with various members of the Ben & Jerry's community, as well as clean up and review/wrap of each day. |
Scoop U training is a mixture of classroom-style learning and online learning using the Rolling Cone and Ben & Jerry's Operations Manual as guide along with Scoop U online and handson experience in our demo Scoop Shop located at our corporate headquarters. Scoop U training may be administered fully virtually under certain circumstances, in which case the curriculum may be modified.
Source: Item 11 — FRANCHISOR'S ASSISTANCE, ADVERTISING, COMPUTER SYSTEMS, AND TRAINING (FDD pages 43–60)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Ben Jerrys's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, Scoop U Training may be administered fully virtually under certain circumstances. In these instances, the curriculum may be modified to suit the virtual format.
Ben Jerrys provides initial training programs for new franchisees, called "Scoop University", "Scoop U", or "Scoop U Training". This training is for up to 3 trainees for any Scoop Shop within the first 6 months of opening. The standard Scoop U training consists of three full days of instruction at Ben & Jerry's central office headquarters in South Burlington, Vermont. It also includes pre-work before arriving in Vermont and supplemental remote/virtual instruction as needed. The in-person training includes lectures, presentations, conversations, field trips, and hands-on experience conducted both in Scoop U as well as in company-owned Scoop Shops.
Prospective franchisees should inquire with Ben Jerrys about what specific circumstances would necessitate virtual training and how the curriculum is modified in those cases. Understanding the conditions that lead to virtual training and the extent of curriculum changes will help franchisees prepare for their training experience.