Are there any circumstances where the initial training fee for Boulder Designs is refundable?
Boulder_Designs Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
Notes:
Note 1. All payments are payable to us and are nonrefundable unless otherwise stated.
Note 2. See Item 5 for more information about the initial franchise fee and available discounts.
Note 3. When you sign the franchise agreement, you will also pay us $12,000 for You and your initial manager to attend and complete one level of training (Initial Training) over the course of approximately five business days. See Item 11 for more details on Initial Training. Initial Training amount is fully earned and nonrefundable upon completion of your training. If you do not successfully complete the initial training, we reserve the right to deduct any amount from your Initial Training Fee to cover our expense and the cost of providing the initial training course in addition to you paying us the On-Site Training Cancellation Fee. If you purchase two Boulder Designs franchised business, you will only need to attend the training once so long you have not appointed a new Internal Manager.
Source: Item 7 — ESTIMATED INITIAL INVESTMENT YOUR ESTIMATED INITIAL INVESTMENT SINGLE FRANCHISE (FDD pages 16–19)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Boulder Designs's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, the initial training fee of $12,000 is generally nonrefundable. Note 1 states that all payments to Boulder Designs are nonrefundable unless otherwise stated. However, Note 3 clarifies the conditions regarding the initial training fee.
Specifically, the $12,000 initial training fee covers training for the franchisee and their initial manager. This fee is considered fully earned and nonrefundable once the training is completed. However, if the franchisee does not successfully complete the initial training, Boulder Designs reserves the right to deduct expenses from the initial training fee to cover their costs of providing the training, in addition to the franchisee paying the On-Site Training Cancellation Fee.
This means that while the initial training fee is typically nonrefundable upon completion of training, there may be deductions if the training is not successfully completed, and the franchisee may also be subject to an On-Site Training Cancellation Fee. It is important for prospective franchisees to understand the requirements and expectations of the initial training program to avoid any potential deductions or additional fees. If a franchisee purchases two Boulder Designs franchises, they only need to attend training once, provided they have not appointed a new Internal Manager. Transferring controlling interest to a new owner or appointing a new Internal Manager will incur additional training costs.