Can Bens Soft Pretzels charge a fee to attend regional meetings or conventions?
Bens_Soft_Pretzels Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
of your Store.
Ongoing Training. You must participate in, if we require, up to five days per calendar year of refresher training in the operations and marketing of the Store. The refresher training may or may not take place at an annual convention or business meeting of franchisees which we can require you to attend once per calendar year. The fee for additional training programs or meetings is provided in Item 6 plus you pay all your travel and living expenses.
Source: Item 11 — FRANCHISOR'S ASSISTANCE, ADVERTISING, COMPUTER SYSTEMS, AND TRAINING (FDD pages 23–30)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Bens Soft Pretzels' 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, franchisees may be required to attend refresher training, which can take place at an annual convention or business meeting, up to five days per calendar year. While Bens Soft Pretzels will not charge franchisees and managers to attend regularly scheduled refresher training courses, the document specifies that there may be a fee for additional training programs or meetings, as detailed in Item 6. Franchisees are also responsible for covering their own travel and living expenses for any required training or meetings.
This means that as a Bens Soft Pretzels franchisee, you might need to budget for both the attendance fee (if applicable) and travel costs associated with these required events. It is important to note that attendance at an annual convention or business meeting is not guaranteed every year, but Bens Soft Pretzels can require attendance once per calendar year.
Prospective franchisees should carefully review Item 6 of the FDD to understand the potential fees associated with additional training programs or meetings. Understanding these costs is crucial for accurate financial planning and ensuring you can meet all obligations as a Bens Soft Pretzels franchisee.