What is the timing requirement for the Bonchon Initial Training Program relative to the opening of the franchised Restaurant?
Bonchon Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
After entering into this Agreement and before the opening of the franchised Restaurant (although in no case earlier than two months before the opening of the Restaurant), your General Manager and Manager must attend and successfully complete an initial training program (the "Initial Training Program") which we will provide at no additional expense to you. If you (if franchisee is an individual) or your Operating Principal (if franchisee is an entity) will engage in the on-site management of the Restaurant's day-to-day operations on a full-time basis, then you or your Operating Principal will be considered the General Manager and must attend and successfully complete our Initial Training Program. If you (if franchisee is an individual) or your Operating Principal (if franchisee is an entity) will not be supervising the day-to-day operation of your Bonchon Restaurant on a full-time basis, then you must either attend and successfully complete our Initial Training Program or our partner training program (the "Partner Training Program") at no expense to you prior to opening your Bonchon Restaurant, and an additional manager must successfully complete the Initial Training Program (the Bonchon Restaurant must have at least two (2) fully-trained managers who intend to work in the Restaurant on a full-time basis). The Initial Training Program and Partner Training Program will be conducted for approximately 15 days to up to 20 days and may take place at our Restaurant Support Center in Dallas, TX and/or at a Bonchon Training Restaurant we designate. We will determine the date of commencement, location and duration of the Initial Training Program and Partner Training Program and notify you of them.
Any attendee of the Initial Training Program must have first attended, received and hold a current Bonchon approved nationally accredited food manager certification in addition to any safe food handling courses required by the local municipality in which the Restaurant is located. You agree to produce such certification to us for review before you (if the franchisee is an individual), your Operating Principal and/or your General Manager, Area Manager as applicable, attends the Initial Training Program. No such certification is a prerequisite for attending our Partner Training Program. In addition, any attendee of the Initial Training Program or Partner Training Program must sign and return to us the Trainee Waiver, Assumption of Risk and Indemnification Agreement in the form of Exhibit I to this Agreement, prior to such attendance.
Source: Item 23 — RECEIPTS (FDD pages 92–536)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Bonchon's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, after signing the Franchise Agreement and before opening a Bonchon restaurant, the General Manager and Manager must complete the Initial Training Program. This training cannot begin earlier than two months before the restaurant opens. If the franchisee or Operating Principal will manage the restaurant full-time, they must complete the Initial Training Program. If not, they can complete either the Initial Training Program or the Partner Training Program.
The Initial Training Program and Partner Training Program last approximately 15 to 20 days and may be held at Bonchon's Restaurant Support Center in Dallas, TX, or at a designated Bonchon Training Restaurant. Bonchon determines the dates, location, and duration of the training programs and will notify the franchisee.
Prospective Bonchon franchisees should note that attending the Initial Training Program requires a current Bonchon-approved nationally accredited food manager certification, in addition to any safe food handling courses required by the local municipality. This certification must be presented before attending the Initial Training Program. A similar certification is not required to attend the Partner Training Program. Additionally, all attendees of either training program must sign a Trainee Waiver, Assumption of Risk, and Indemnification Agreement before attending.