Does Benjamin Franklin Plumbing require franchisees to meet training requirements as a condition of renewal?
Benjamin_Franklin_Plumbing Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
ing you from attending brand meetings, suspending access to the Call Center and technology platforms, and suspending other services. These actions are in addition to our right to terminate and/or bring a claim for damages. |
| Provision | Section in Franchise Agreement | Summary |
|---|---|---|
| h. "Cause" defined – non-curable defaults | Section 16.1 | Non-curable defaults include: failure to obtain an Approved Location or to open for business by deadline; failure to complete pre-opening training to our satisfaction; unauthorized closing; loss of premises or right to do business; refusing inspection or access to records; operating Competing Business (see q. below); unapproved transfer of ownership or business assets; knowing misuse or disclosure of our confidential information; maintaining false books, underreporting sales, engaging in fraud or embezzlement, or misappropriating employee funds; conviction of felony or certain other crimes; insolvency, receivership, or dissolution of your business entity or loss of business license; if Franchisee or any Owner appears on a list of "blocked" persons under any anti-terrorism or similar law; breach of essential provision; failure to maintain required insurance; failure to attempt to contact a complaining customer or to resolve customer complaint; Key Person, Owners of Franchisee, and/or your employees, as designated by us (collectively, "Designated Representatives") or a Franchisee Qualified Substitute's failure to attend our annual convention for three consecutive years; failure to conduct background checks; repeated defaults even if cured, unauthorized use of the Marks or engaging in conduct we reasonably believe threatens to impair the Marks or our reputation, and not curing within 24 hours after notice from us; violating health, safety, or sanitation law or operating the Franchised Business in a manner that presents a health or safety hazard to your employees, customers or the general public; four or more territory infringement violations even if Territory Infringement Fee is paid. |
| i. Your obligations on termination/non renewal | Sections 16.8 and 17 | We have the option to assume your lease (if any), buy the business assets, and take over your customer contracts. If we do not exercise these options, your obligations include ceasing to operate the Franchised Business, complete de-branding, deactivating or transferring domain name registrations and social media accounts for the Franchised Business, transferring your business telephone number and listings to us, paying all amounts due, returning all of our materials, and complying with confidentiality and non-compete restrictions, among others (also see o. and r. below). If termination was based on your default, you must also pay us liquidated damages (see Item 6). |
Source: Item 17 — RENEWAL, TERMINATION, TRANSFER, AND DISPUTE RESOLUTION THE FRANCHISE RELATIONSHIP (FDD pages 69–74)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
Based on the 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, Benjamin Franklin Plumbing does not explicitly state that completing training is a condition for renewing a franchise agreement. However, failing to complete pre-opening training to the franchisor's satisfaction is listed as a non-curable default, which could lead to termination of the franchise agreement.
Furthermore, if a franchisee seeks to transfer their franchise to a new owner, the proposed transferee must successfully complete training as a condition for Benjamin Franklin Plumbing's approval of the transfer. This suggests that while ongoing training may not be mandatory for renewal, maintaining qualified and trained personnel is important to the Benjamin Franklin Plumbing franchise system.
While the FDD does not directly link training to renewal, franchisees should clarify with Benjamin Franklin Plumbing whether there are implicit training expectations or requirements for renewal to ensure compliance and avoid potential issues. Understanding the full scope of required and recommended training programs is crucial for the continued success and renewal of a Benjamin Franklin Plumbing franchise.