Is the Bonchon Initial Training Program mandatory for the franchisee's Area Manager?
Bonchon Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
Prior to the opening of your Restaurant, both your General Manager and your Manager must attend and successfully complete our Initial Training Program. Additionally, your Area Manager must attend and successfully complete our Initial Training Program (and such additional training that we may require) prior to the opening or acquisition of your (or your affiliates', collectively with you) third Bonchon Business. If you or your Operating Principal will exercise on-site supervision of the day-today operations of the Restaurant on a full- time basis, then you or your Operating Principal will be considered the General Manager and you or Operating Principal must attend and successfully complete our Initial Training Program. If you or your Operating Principal will not exercise on-site supervision of the Restaurant's daily operations on a full-time basis, then you or your Operating Principal must either attend and successfully complete our Initial Training Program or Partner Training prior to the opening of the Restaurant. The following is a description of our Initial Training Program and Partner Training Program as of the date of issuance of this Disclosure Document:
INITIAL TRAINING PROGRAM
Source: Item 11 — FRANCHISOR'S ASSISTANCE, ADVERTISING, COMPUTER SYSTEMS AND TRAINING (FDD pages 45–60)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Bonchon's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, the Initial Training Program is mandatory for the Area Manager. Specifically, the Area Manager must attend and successfully complete the Initial Training Program, along with any additional training Bonchon may require, before the opening or acquisition of the franchisee's third Bonchon Business.
Bonchon requires that any attendee of the Initial Training Program or Partner Training Program must have a Bonchon-approved nationally accredited food manager certification and any safe food handling courses required by the local municipality where the restaurant is located. This certification must be submitted for review before the franchisee, Operating Principal, General Manager, or Manager attends the Initial Training Program. Additionally, attendees must sign and return a Trainee Waiver, Assumption of Risk, and Indemnification Agreement before attending.
If the franchisee, Operating Principal, General Manager, Area Manager, or Manager fails to successfully complete the required training programs, Bonchon can terminate the Franchise Agreement or postpone the restaurant's opening until qualified and fully-trained candidates are available. The franchisee may also be required to pay an additional charge of up to $5,500 for providing the Initial Training Program or Partner Training Program to replacement personnel.