Must the General Manager for a Budget franchise complete the instruction Budget furnishes?

According to Budget's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, a franchisee is not required to participate personally in the direct operation of their Budget franchise, but Budget strongly urges them to do so. However, the franchisee must employ at least one General Manager on a full-time basis who has completed the instruction Budget furnishes. This General Manager must devote their entire time during normal business hours to the management, operation, and development of the Budget franchise as required in the Standards and the Manual. The General Manager is not required to have an equity interest in the Budget franchise or in the franchisee's business.

Budget will furnish the General Manager and other approved employees with instruction on the operation of a Budget franchise. Prior to opening the Rental Business, the General Manager and other employees approved by Budget must attend and complete a comprehensive training program for operating a Rental Business, including any additional required courses, to Budget's satisfaction. This instruction will be provided at a time and place and in a manner designated by Budget. The franchisee is responsible for paying all travel and living expenses incurred by the General Manager and any other employees receiving the instruction.

Budget also provides ongoing operating assistance and training, including additional courses, resources, webinars, and training materials, to assist the franchisee in training their General Manager and employees. Budget reserves the right to require the franchisee to attend training as deemed necessary, and the franchisee must complete any initial training. All training must be properly attended and/or completed timely and to Budget's satisfaction.

Budget may periodically add new and refresher web-based training programs and seminars and may require the franchisee, their General Manager, and other managerial personnel to satisfactorily complete these. Budget communicates these requirements via System Bulletins. The franchisee and/or their General Manager must also attend any periodic conventions or seminars that Budget holds for the Network. The franchisee is responsible for all costs associated with attending these programs, conventions, and seminars, including travel, lodging, meals, and wages.