Under what conditions might Ben Jerrys require a franchisee, their manager, or other employees to attend additional training programs?

According to Ben Jerrys's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, franchisees, their managers, and other employees may be required to attend additional training courses, seminars, and other programs that Ben & Jerry's may require from time to time. Ben & Jerry's may also impose a fee for these additional training programs. For any new employee in a manager position, Ben & Jerry's may require the employee to attend and successfully complete all or a portion of the Scoop U Training, which may also incur a fee.

Furthermore, every five years, franchisees must attend additional courses, seminars, and other training programs as required by Ben & Jerry's, regardless of the number of shops they operate. The franchisee is responsible for all expenses, including tuition if applicable, for any training programs required for new or replacement managers, additional courses, seminars, training programs, or refresher training programs.

This means that as a Ben & Jerry's franchisee, you should budget not only for the initial Scoop U training but also for ongoing training requirements for yourself, your managers, and potentially other employees. These costs can include tuition fees, transportation, lodging, meals, and wages for the time spent in training. The periodic refresher training every five years is a significant commitment that franchisees need to factor into their long-term business planning.