Are there any additional fees for the initial Bens Soft Pretzels franchise training program?
Bens_Soft_Pretzels Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
Your first BEN'S SOFT PRETZELS franchise training occurs within one month after the date of your Franchise Agreement. You are required to attend the training program and pay your own travel and living expenses during the training. There are no additional fees for this training. The training program consists of the following twenty-four hours of training (with virtual training and scheduled weekly/bi-weekly calls available for many of the subjects):
Before the start of your Store, we will provide five days of initial training on the operation of a Store for up to three people. Although there are no additional fees for this training, you must pay for all travel and living expenses which you and any of your employees incur in connection with training. You and your manager must pass the training program to our satisfaction. If you do not pass the training program, we can terminate your Franchise Agreement. We will not be liable to return any franchise fee or pay any costs or expenses you incur if we terminate your Franchise Agreement because you do not pass the training program. If you will operate a Mobile Store, you must also complete any training relating to mobile units that we require.
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's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, there are no additional fees for the initial training program. However, franchisees are responsible for covering their own travel and living expenses while attending the training. The initial training lasts for five days and is provided before the store opens, covering the operation of a Bens Soft Pretzels store for up to three people.
The FDD specifies that both the franchisee and their manager must successfully complete the training program to the franchisor's satisfaction. Failure to pass the training program can result in the termination of the Franchise Agreement, without any refund of the franchise fee or reimbursement of incurred costs. For franchisees who will operate a Mobile Store, additional training related to mobile units may be required.
The initial Bens Soft Pretzels franchise training takes place within one month after the Franchise Agreement is signed. The training program consists of twenty-four hours of training, with virtual training and scheduled weekly or bi-weekly calls available for many of the subjects.