What is the minimum duration of the initial training program for a Big Apple Bagels franchise?
Big_Apple_Bagels Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
Franchisor shall furnish to Franchisee and one additional person designated by Franchisee an initial training program in all phases of the operations of a BAGELS Store, including unit operations, bookkeeping, inventory management, and local Store marketing. Franchisee shall complete the training program to the satisfaction of Franchisor. Such training program shall be for a minimum of ten (10) days at a designated Store location, at Franchisor's corporate location and/or held virtually via a telecommunication platform (e.g. Zoom), and at Franchisee's Store near the time of the Store opening. For a Satellite Store,
Franchisor reserves the right to require that Franchisee attend Satellite Store training. If not required, Franchisee may, at his option, participate in Satellite Store training. The total time provided for Satellite Store training shall be for a minimum of three (3) days, since the Franchisee taking this training may be an existing franchisee opening the Satellite Store as an additional location. If Franchisee has purchased or is in the process of purchasing an existing BAGELS Store from another franchisee in an approved transfer, the initial training program will not include topics relating to developing and opening a new store and will therefore be shorter in duration than the training chart in Item 11 of the disclosure document indicates. In addition, for transferees, some of the training may be conducted in the Store being purchased instead of in another store. If Franchisor provides refresher and supplemental training programs or regional or national conventions, Franchisee is required to attend such training and/or conventions. Franchisee shall be responsible for the travel and living expenses (including local transportation expenses) incurred while attending the initial training program and any refresher training programs and/or conventions.
Source: Item 22 — CONTRACTS (FDD pages 86–87)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Big Apple Bagels' 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, the initial training program for franchisees is a minimum of ten days. This training covers all phases of operating a Big Apple Bagels store, including unit operations, bookkeeping, inventory management, and local store marketing. The training takes place at a designated store location, the franchisor's corporate location, virtually via a telecommunication platform, and at the franchisee's store near the time of its opening.
For franchisees opening a Satellite Store, the training duration is a minimum of three days. This reduced training period acknowledges that these franchisees may already be experienced Big Apple Bagels operators opening an additional location. If a franchisee purchases an existing Big Apple Bagels store from another franchisee in an approved transfer, the initial training program will be shorter and will not include topics related to developing and opening a new store.
Big Apple Bagels requires franchisees to complete the training program to the franchisor's satisfaction. Franchisees are responsible for covering their travel and living expenses, including local transportation, while attending the initial training program and any refresher training programs or conventions. This financial responsibility is a standard practice in the franchise industry, where franchisees typically bear the costs associated with their training.