Under what circumstances does Bft charge a Training Fee to individuals?
Bft Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
The Parties agree and acknowledge that: (i) Franchisee or, if Franchisee is an entity, at least one (1) of Franchisee's operating principals (an "Operating Principal") must complete the "Owner/Operator Module" and Franchisor's proprietary initial training program (the "Initial Training Program"), as described in more detail in the Learning Management System; and (ii) each instructor that Franchisee engages to provide any of the Approved Services at its Studio must complete Franchisor's proprietary training program that is designed to provide instructors with additional guidelines and instruction for providing the Approved Services in accordance with the System (the "Pre-Opening Instructor Training"). Franchisor may, at its option, conduct any training program virtually via live or prerecorded modules. Fees for attendance and participation in a training program (each a "Training Fee") may be assessed as described below.
- A. Initial Training Program; Owner/Operator Training. Except as provided below, Franchisee will not be required to pay any Training Fee or tuition in connection with individuals that attend the Initial Training Program prior to the Studio's Soft Opening, provided such individuals all attend at the same time. For those individuals that wish to complete the Initial Training Program at a time other than when Franchisee (or, if applicable, its Operating Principal) attends the Initial Training Program, Franchisor
may charge such individuals its then-current Training Fee. Franchisee may also designate a third-party individual that Franchisor approves to manage the day-to-day operations of the Studio (a "Designated Manager"), but any such individual must at least complete the Designated Manager Module of the Initial Training Program prior to assuming any management responsibilities at the Studio (with Franchisee paying the Training Fees associated therewith, if any). If Franchisee is acquiring and assuming an existing BFT Studio from another System franchisee, it will be required to pay Franchisor's then-current Training Fee for persons required to attend Franchisor's Initial Training Program as necessary to satisfy the requirements of this Section.
- B. Designated Manager; Designated Manager Training Program. If Franchisee (or one of its Operating Principals) is not or does not intend to be on-site at the Studio during normal business hours to manage the day-to-day operations of its Studio (including, for example, where Franchisee owns or is affiliated with owners of multiple open BFT Studios), then Franchisee must appoint a "Designated Manager" for the Studio who will be responsible for the day-to-day operation of, and only for, the Studio. Each Designated Manager must attend and complete, to Franchisor's satisfaction, Franchisor's designated manager training program prior to assuming the Designated Manager responsibilities (the "Designated Manager Training Program"). Franchisor does not charge a Training Fee for Franchisee's initial Designated Manager's participation in the Designated Manager Training Program.
- C. Pre-Opening Instructor Training for Initial and Subsequent Instructors. Every instructor that provides any of the Approved Services at Franchisee's Studio must, prior to providing such instruction, complete the Pre-Opening Instructor Training and related testing, as described in the Learning Management System. The Pre-Opening Instructor Training will typically be provided (a) virtually, (b) on-site at a BFT Studio that is owned by another franchisee, or (c) at the Studio of one of Franchisor's affiliates; however, at least a portion of the Pre-Opening Instructor Training designed to provide individuals with guidelines and information on how to provide the Approved Services in accordance with Franchisor's current System Standards will be held virtually (the "Fundamentals Training Program"). In the event that an instructor completes the Pre-Opening Instructor Training on-site at a BFT Studio, Franchisor reserves the right to review the instructor's testing results before approving that individual to provide Approved Services from the Studio. Franchisor will assess a Training Fee for each trainee for participation in the Pre-Opening Instructor Training, and Franchisee will cover the related costs and expenses associated with all personnel attending and completing the Pre-Opening Instructor Training, including the Fundamentals Training Program. An instructor that has completed the Pre-Opening Instructor Training in its entirety and is authorized to provide Approved Services at Franchisee's Studio is considered an "Authorized Instructor."
The Fundamentals Training Program is provided virtually to Franchisee and the individuals that attend the Pre-Opening Instructor Training. During such Pre-Opening Instructor Training, Franchisee will be pay Franchisor's then-current fee for Pre-Opening Instructor Training, which shall cover as many trainees as Franchisee is able to hire prior to Franchisor conducting the Pre-Opening Instructor Training, plus reasonable costs and expenses for the attendance of a head coach provided by Franchisor. Franchisee will also pay Franchisor's then-current fee for the Fundamentals Training Program, which is assessed per trainee, following the opening of the Studio.
Following the opening of the BFT Studio, if any new or additional Authorized Instructors are hired, they will complete the Pre-Opening Instructor Training with a Head Coach, as opposed to a head coach provided by Franchisor. The Fundamentals Training Program will continue to be provided virtually.
D. Ongoing/Refresher and Other Additional Training. Franchisor may provide or request that Franchisee and certain of its management personnel attend and complete up to five (5) days of additional/refresher training each year, but Franchisor will not charge Franchisee a Training Fee in connection with such required training.
- E.
Source: Item 23 — RECEIPTS (FDD pages 79–265)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Bft's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, training fees may be assessed in several circumstances. Bft franchisees are generally not required to pay a training fee for individuals attending the Initial Training Program prior to the studio's soft opening, provided all individuals attend at the same time. However, if individuals wish to complete the Initial Training Program at a different time than the franchisee (or operating principal), Bft may charge its then-current training fee. If a franchisee is acquiring an existing Bft studio from another franchisee, they will be required to pay Bft's then-current training fee for persons attending the Initial Training Program.
Bft also assesses a training fee for each trainee participating in the Pre-Opening Instructor Training, which includes the Fundamentals Training Program. Franchisees are responsible for covering the costs and expenses associated with their personnel attending this training. If a franchisee appoints a Designated Manager to oversee the studio's day-to-day operations, Bft does not charge a training fee for the initial Designated Manager's participation in the Designated Manager Training Program.
Furthermore, Bft may charge a training fee for additional or refresher training requested by the franchisee, with the fee based on the number of training days provided. If Bft determines that a franchisee is not operating the studio in accordance with the franchise agreement or the Learning Management System, Bft may require the franchisee, Designated Manager, or Authorized Instructors to attend Remedial Training, for which Bft may charge its then-current training fee. Bft may also charge a training fee for training that the franchisee requests or that Bft provides on-site at the franchisee's studio, excluding Pre-Opening Instructor Training provided by Bft personnel at headquarters.
It is important for prospective Bft franchisees to understand these various scenarios in which training fees may be charged, as these costs can impact their overall investment and operating expenses. Franchisees should clarify the current training fee amounts and the specific conditions under which they apply to effectively budget and manage their training-related expenses.